Buddhism in Northern and Central Ontario

The following list shows Buddhist temples and centers in the Ontario heartland. Alliston, Egbert, Thunder Bay, Severn Bridge, Huntsville

Copyright © 1998, 2008 Buddhist Women's Network of Toronto

Alliston Dharma Study Group

92 Wellington St. W. 

Alliston, Ont. L0M 1A0

705-435-0752

e-mail: myracolbysympatico.ca

Coordinators: Myra Colby and Oya Petts; meditation instructors: Myra Colby, Jim Colby and Susan Bush-Haberman; Tibetan/Shambhala & Kagyu schools

Activity: Meditation

Contact: Myra Colby

Updated October 22, 2006

Arrow River Forest Hermitage

Mailing address: Box 2, RR 7, Site 7

Thunder Bay, Ont. P7C 5V5

807-933-4434

e-mail: arfhxplornet.com

Spiritual Head and Resident Bhikkhu: Ajahn Punnadhammo Bhikku, Theravada/Thai Forest Tradition

Since 1975, a rural retreat centre

Activities: short- and long-term retreats under the direction of Tahn Punnadhammo (please call in advance to arrange); summer activities for lay persons and non-meditators; newsletter; people are welcome to visit the center at any time--however, conditions are simple (no running water, some solar power, limited dwellings) so please call before coming. For details, see our Web site (at my.tbaytel.net/arfh/).

Language: English

Contact: Ajahn Punnadhammo, preferably by e-mail.  Telephone: 807/933-4434 (best time is noon, Eastern time; there is no answering machine)

Updated November 30, 2005

Buddha Sasana Yeiktha (Ontario)

International Meditation Society

RR #1

Severn Bridge, Ont. P0E 1N0

e-mail: khlahlaaol.com

705-689-5642 (telephone and fax)

Spritual head: Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita; Theravada/Mahasi lineage; Vipassana technique

Manager: Sister Khemanandi

Since June 26, 1994, The accommodation is in forest style with small shared cabins, trailers and tents (weather permitting). It is a small family like center and can accommodate up to about 20 persons.

Activities: We are open from May to October of each year, offering Vipassana (Insight) meditation retreats to individuals or groups. We also organise:

• weekend retreats, where there are no charges
• formal organised retreats with senior meditation masters (Ven.Sayadaws) from Myanmar from time to time

For more information, see Web site at www.buddhasasanayeiktha.ca

Languages: English, Burmese

Updated March 25, 2002

Ontario Vipassana Centre - Dhamma Torana

6486 Simcoe County Road 56

Egbert, Ontario L0L 1N0

Spiritual head: S.N. Goenka; Vipassana Meditation in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin as taught by S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers

Activities: 10-day Vipassana meditation courses offered in the tradition of Sayagi U Ba Khin as taught by S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers. For details, see web page www.torana.dhamma.org

Contact: Mary Preston at 416-214-4904 or infotorana.dhamma.org

Updated July 27, 2003

Potala Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre

118 McComber Crescent

Thunder Bay, ON P7A 7E8

Meeting location: at the Bodymind Centre #8-105 Villa Street

e-mail: potalapotala.ca

Spiritual head: Zasep Rinpoche; Gelugpa

Activities: see web site at www.potala.ca

Updated October 18, 2006

Thunder Bay Buddhist Fellowship

RR #1 Rosslyn Rd,

Thunder Bay, Ont. P7C 4T9

807-473-4928

miokoshaw.ca

Lay teacher: Chu Hayashi

Since March 1949; a private home

Activities: service once a month; Obon Service in July; open to anyone. See information on Web page at www.members.shaw.ca/mioko/.

Contact: Naoko or Alice Hayashi at 807/473-4928 or Bonnie Blake at 807/577-6319, anytime

Languages: English, Japanese

Updated April 28, 2005

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