Kloster Dhammapala

Kloster Dhammapala is a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Kandersteg, a mountain village in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. It stands at roughly 1,200 m above sea level on the edge of a forest, ringed by Alpine peaks, and is one of the few Thai Forest Tradition monasteries in the Alps.

What is Dhammapala?

The community follows the lineage of Ajahn Chah and is an affiliated branch monastery within that network. Four to six people usually live here. The focus is meditation practice and a life based on the early monastic rule, not tourism. Think of it as a place of quiet rather than a sight with an entrance ticket.

How did the monastery begin?

Theravada Buddhism reached Switzerland from England in 1988. The first community settled in a house in Konolfingen near Bern, but it proved unsuited to contemplative life. The monks found a new home in the former Regina hotel in Kandersteg and moved in during 1991. The Canadian monk Ajahn Thiradhammo helped found the community and served as senior monk until 2005. The German monk Ajahn Khemasiri later led it for 22 years, until a change of leadership in October 2018, when Ajahn Abhinando took over. Ajahn Khemasiri returned in July 2020 as a guiding elder monk.

What should you know before visiting?

• This is a working monastic community. Keep voices low and dress modestly.
• Visiting hours and guest arrangements are set by the community. Check dhammapala.ch or contact the monks directly before you travel.
• Church groups from the region have arranged tours with the monks and shared meditation sessions, so contact is possible, but book ahead.

How do you get to Kandersteg?

Kandersteg sits on the Lötschberg railway between Bern and Brig, so trains from Bern and Spiez make the trip easy. From the village centre you can reach the monastery on foot or with a short local ride. The monastery's website has a directions page with the exact route.

What else is nearby?

Kandersteg is a hiking base. A walk through the valley pairs well with a hike toward Lake Oeschinensee, one of the most visited spots in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Dhammapala monastery? Yes, as a guest of the community. The monks set the rules for visits, so get in touch first.

Which tradition does it belong to? Theravada, in Ajahn Chah's Thai Forest lineage.

Since when has it been in Kandersteg? Since 1991, in the building of the former Regina hotel. The earlier attempt in Konolfingen began in 1988.

How many monks live there? Usually four to six people.