Sarasota Forest Monastery | Buddhist Monastery in Englewood, Florida | Sarasota Forest Monastery, a Buddhist Monastery in the Thai Forest Tradition

SFM is a dedicated Buddhist monastery rooted in the Thai Forest Tradition, a lineage known for its deep commitment to mindfulness, simplicity, and meditation in natural surroundings.

Weekly Progam on Sundays

10:00 - 10:50 am Morning chanting / meditation

11:00 - 11:20 am Meal offering to the monks

12:30 - 01:20 pm Afternoon group meditation

(This schedule is effective from January 12, 2025, and the afternoon group meditation will take place in the forest, outdoor conditions permitting.)

Following the meal offering to the monks, you can join a potluck on the patio or around the kitchen before participating in the afternoon group meditation session.

Visitors may attend any portion of our weekly program that interests them and fits into their schedule. Beginners are warmly welcome. No prior meditation experience is required to join the program.

The small shed has many foam mats for your use when sitting and meditating in the forest. Please refer to the monastery map for the location of the small shed.

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Morning chanting / meditation

A Morning Meetup on Tuesdays

News and Upcoming Events

Due to the abundant rains this year, the soil at SFM is saturated, making it prone to flooding even with moderate rain. Visitors may need to park on soaked grounds at times. If you opt to park at the edges of the gravel driveway, please ensure that your car does not block traffic flow, as illustrated in the figure.

(updated on September 30).

Phra Ajaan O and Ajaan Chichung will attend the annual meeting of the Dhammayut Order in the U.S.A. in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 6 to June 9. The weekly program scheduled for June 8 (Sunday) will be canceled accordingly.

Phra Ajaan O will continue his trips to Dallas and Los Angeles after the meeting, while Ajaan Chichung will return to the monastery on June 9.

Kruba Trent will be on his Tudong trip to the Tampa / Orlando area, starting from June 6 and likely lasting until July 6, before he returns to spend his Rains Retreat at SFM.

The resident monks' retreat will end on December 31, 2024, and the Weekly Sunday Program will resume starting January 2025. The schedule for the first Sunday in 2025, January 5, is as follows:

10:00 -10:50 a.m. Morning chanting and meditation.

10:50 - 11:00 a.m. The monk has his alms-round outside the main building

11:00 -11:20 a.m. Meal offering to the monk inside the main building.

12:30 - 01:10 p.m. Sitting meditation (in the forest, weather permitting)