Awakening Presence: A Mindfulness Retreat

Date: 15 & 16 December 2025 (Monday & Tuesday)

Time: 8.30am to 5pm 

Reporting Time: 8am (Daily)

Instructor:

Ajahn Vīradhammo (formerly Vitauts Akers) was born in 1947 in Germany to Latvian refugee parents and moved with his family to Toronto, Canada, at age four. He first encountered Buddhism in 1969 while living in India, where he met the late Sāmanera Bodhesako, who introduced him to the Buddha’s teachings.

In 1973, he travelled to Thailand and ordained as a novice at Wat Mahathat, receiving full bhikkhu ordination the following year at Wat Pah Pong under Ajahn Chah. He was among the first residents of Wat Pah Nanachat, the international monastery in northeast Thailand, where he spent four formative years.

At Ajahn Chah’s request, Ajahn Vīradhammo then joined Ajahn Sumedho at Hampstead Vihāra in London and contributed to the establishment of Chithurst and Harnham monasteries in the UK. In 1985, he moved to New Zealand with Venerable Thanavaro at the invitation of the Wellington Theravāda Buddhist Association, founding Bodhinyānārāma Monastery and serving the community for a decade.

In 1995, he returned to the UK to assist Ajahn Sumedho at Amarāvati, before returning to New Zealand until 2002. From 2002, Ajahn Vīradhammo lived in Ottawa, caring for his mother for nine years. He now resides full time at Tisarana Buddhist Monastery. 

To register: **FULLY REGISTERED**

1) Online registration
2) In-person registration: KMSPKS Reception Office | 9am to 4pm

If registration is full, kindly indicate your interest to be placed on the waiting list below. In the event of any cancellations, interested participants on the waiting list will be contacted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Waiting List

Please enquire about student concessions and eligibility for fee waiver at 6849 5346 or meditationhall@kmspks.org.