Ajahn Viradhammo

Ajahn Viradhammo, born Vitauts Akers on April 27, 1947, is a Canadian monk belonging to the Thai forest tradition of Theravada Buddhism. He is recognized as the most senior Thai Forest monk currently residing in Canada and serves as the Abbot of Tisarana Buddhist Monastery in Perth, Ontario. His spiritual path was influenced by early experiences of silence and awareness, leading him to explore various spiritual traditions before encountering Buddhism in India.

Life and Ordination

Born in a displaced persons camp in Germany to Latvian parents who had fled their homeland, Vitauts Akers immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1951. After an initial foray into engineering studies at the University of Toronto, he embarked on a journey of seeking meaning in North Africa, Europe, and India. It was in India, in 1969, that he re-experienced childhood moments of pure awareness through reading J. Krishnamurti, and was introduced to the Buddha's teachings by Sāmanera Bodhesako. This led him to travel to Thailand, where he became a novice at Wat Mahathat in 1973 and was later ordained as a monk in 1974 by the esteemed Ajahn Chah at Wat Nong Pah Pong monastery. He was among the first residents of Wat Pah Nanachat, the international monastery established by Ajahn Chah.

Monastic Service and Establishments

Ajahn Viradhammo's monastic career has involved significant contributions to the spread of the Thai forest tradition internationally. In 1977, he was invited by Ajahn Chah to join Ajahn Sumedho in London, where he played a role in establishing Chithurst Buddhist Monastery and Aruna Ratanagiri monastery in the United Kingdom, serving as abbot at the latter. He then moved to New Zealand in 1985, contributing to the development of Bodhinyānārāma monastery over a decade. After periods of assisting Ajahn Sumedho in the UK and returning to New Zealand, he came to Ottawa, Canada, in 2002 to care for his mother. In 2006, with support from the Ottawa Buddhist Society and affiliated groups, he founded Tisarana Buddhist Monastery in Perth, Ontario, where he continues to serve as abbot.

Publications and Teachings

Ajahn Viradhammo has authored several books that convey the contemplative teachings of Buddhism. His published works include "Stillness of Being" (2005), "The Contemplative's Craft : internalizing the teachings of the Buddha" (2017), and "A Contemplative’s Companion" (2024). His Dhamma talks are also available through various online platforms, including iTunes and the Amaravati website.