Throughout the history of Buddhism, there have been monks and nuns who have chosen to retreat into the forests, mountains, and caves and the Forest Tradition exists today in Theravada Buddhism.
In contemporary times, Theravada Buddhism is well established in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, and has also been imported to Western countries.
Buddhists of the Forest Traditions have found isolation to be an aid to meditation, helping them to come to the undistorted truth that was taught by the Buddha, and to live up to the concepts of dhamma. In small groups, or in solitude, they lived lives of austerity and simplicity, living far from the cities and the towns, finding value in nature, and in the hardships of living in the wild.
In present times, there are two major Theravadan Forest Traditions, the Thai Forest Tradition and the Sri Lankan Forest Tradition, although related traditions are found in other Asian countries, such as the Taungpulu Forest Tradition of Myanmar, and the Lao Forest Tradition in Laos, some of which have spread to other countries
Although physical isolation remains part of the Forest Traditions, practitioners are not necessarily restricted to forests and mountains, and they rarely live in caves.
The Kammaṭṭhāna Forest Tradition of Thailand, generally known as the Thai Forest Tradition, was founded around 1900 by two Thai-speaking monks from northeastern Thailand. Seeking to practices monasticism according to the standards of early Buddhism, they began wandering the Thai countryside.
Busy village monasteries were abandoned by monks adopting the Forest Traditions, who preferred the peace and solitude of nature. The Vinaya was followed rigidly, and monks lived without money, accepting whatever was offered and living without that which wasn't. Monks would wanter through the rural areas, taking little with them, and seeking only places that were conducive to meditation.
In Sri Lanka, the oldest Theravada Buddhist country in the world, several forest traditions have developed, faded away, and reappeared throughout the years. The current Sri Lankan Forest Monk's Tradition, known as the Sri Lankan Forest Tradition, was influenced by the Thai and Burmese traditions, which themselves had their origins in the earlier Indian and Sri Lankan traditions.
There are forest monasteries throughout Sri Lanka, including various sects of the forest traditions, some of which inhabit caves yet today.
The Myanmar Forest Tradition is generally associated with Taungpulu Sayadaw, a monk who practiced the traditional meditation methods in Upper Burma for many years. In 1978, at the age of eighty, he left Burma for the first time in his life, traveling to the United States on the first of what was to be four visits, helping to establish a forest monastery in Boulder Creek, California.
In Laos, it is believed that a forest tradition remains, although little information seems to be available. Although a harmonious relationship between Buddhism and the communist government of Laos exists, Buddhists are careful not to offend the government, and this may be achieved through silence.
Topics related to Theravada Buddhist forest traditions are the focus of topics in this category, regardless of their country of origin or sect.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Buddhist Wisdom of the Thai Forest Tradition
Highlighting the Buddhist Forest Traditions of Thailand, the site advances a general review of the roots and principles of the Theravada tradition, biographies of founders and other significant people, associated monasteries, maps of places significant to Buddhism, canonical texts, and orchestrated Buddhist chants, chanting monks, manuals, and karaoke. Other resources include photographs and imagery, a blog, and reader comments.
http://thaiforestwisdom.org/
Affiliated with the tradition of Ajahn Chah, the monastery seeks to return to the original teachings of the Buddha, as recorded in the early portions of the Pali Canon. Located in Brisbane, Australia, its programs and projects are outlined, and photographs, audio, and video resources are available. Its general programs, Saturday precepts, Sunday program, full moon program, and volunteer opportunities are conveyed.
http://www.dhammagiri.org.au/
From the Dharma Thai Theravada Forest Tradition, the site features information about studying Dhamma in Thailand, the process of Buddhist ordination, Vipassana, Ashrams, Buddhist prayer chanting, Thai Buddhist temples, meditation schools, and various Buddhist articles and publications, as well as Buddhist ceremonies and traditions, and the Way of the Tudong tradition of Forest monks.
https://www.dharmathai.com/
The site combines to previously separate sites, Forest Sangha and Forest Sangha Publications, and serves the community of Forest Tradition monasteries associated with Wat Nong Pah Pong, a Buddhist forest monastery in northeastern Thailand. An introduction to the site’s navigation is provided, including contacts and links to additional resources, a dedication to its teacher, Ajahn Chah, and downloadable books, audio files, and other resources.
https://forestsangha.org/
Created by Lokuttara Vihara, Skiptvet Forest Monastery, and the Skogskloster Association, the site features the Buddhist monastery in Norway, its Thai Forest Tradition practices, and a description of the purpose and activities of the Skogskloster Buddhist Association. A calendar of events and information about volunteering in the operation of the monastery, aiding in its transportation needs, or with other special skills are delineated. Its traditions and practices are described.
https://skogskloster.no/
The Buddhist forest monastery near Temple, New Hampshire was formed in the forest tradition of Ajahn Cha and Ajahn Sumedho, where it offers a balance of wilderness, seclusion, and accessibility. Its origins and purpose are highlighted, and a calendar of events, its regular schedules, visitation policies, and its reception of invitations for monks to give talks or lead meditation in the New England region are set forth.
https://forestmonastery.org/
Available in English, Thai, French, and German, and presented in the tradition of Lungphu Mun Bhuridatto and his Western disciples, the site’s focus is on making talks on Dhamma given by the Western Buddhist monks who, along with Lungphu Sao Kantasila, founded the Thai forest tradition. Consisting of audio and PDF files, most of the talks were given by Ajahn Martin Piyadhammo, while others were given by Ajahn Pannavaddho.
http://forestdhammatalks.org/en/
Established in the forest tradition of Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Sumedho, and the Amaravati Monastery, the facility is situated in a rural area near Perth, southwest of Ottawa, Canada. Serving as a residence for Buddhist monks and initiates, it also serves as a sanctuary for interested friends who may visit for varying time periods. Photos of the facility, podcasts, a calendar of upcoming events, an overview of the teachings of the monastery are included.
https://tisarana.ca/
Situated on 144 acres of forest, streams, and hills, Vimutti is a monastery in the Thai Forest Tradition. An introduction to the monastery, monastic life, and the Forest Tradition are arranged, along with news, a calendar of events, and its policies on receiving visitors. Also included is a teaching section with writings, audio talks on Dhamma, videos, and chanting. A photo gallery is also available.
http://vimutti.org.nz/
Devoted to the training of monks and lay practitioners, Wat Buddha Dhamma is a Theravada Forest Monastery situated in Dharug National Park, in the central coastal region of New South Wales, Australia. Driving directions are provided, and its policies for day visits, night stays, or longer visits are included, along with customs and etiquette, and suggestions on what to bring. Photographs, video, and audio files are included.
http://www.wbd.org.au/
Founded by Ajahn Chah, for the purpose of providing an opportunity for foreigners to receive training as Buddhist monks, the international forest monastery is located in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The process of ordination is outlined, and a teachings section includes informational texts, audio, and video on topics such as Buddhism in general, the teachings at Wat Pah Nanachat, and the collected teachings of Ajahn Chah.
http://www.watpahnanachat.org/