Martin Olthoff
Maarten Olthof (1956) is an ecologist and Zen monk. He is ordained by Nico Tenko roshi within the White Plum Asanga and by Bernie Glassman roshi within the Zen Peacemakers. In 2003 Maarten made a 1000 km hike through India and Nepal, passing the four Buddhist pilgrimage sites, places where significant moments in the life of the Buddha took place. He wrote the book 'Walking in the footsteps of the Buddha', which appeared in English under the title 'Go without Fear'. On May 30, 2021 showed 30NOW the film adaptation of 'Go without Fear'. In 2015, Maarten walked the 2500 km from the cathedral in Utrecht to the Franciscus basilica in Assisi, 'with the Buddha in the footsteps of Francis'. Along the way he wrote the collection 'In 108 haiku's from Utrecht to Assisi'. The IKON made the documentary 'Wandering with Franciscus' about this journey. Maarten has been organizing pilgrimages for decades, including through India, Nepal, Japan, Italy, Greece and Indonesia. Since corona he also organizes spiritual tours in the Netherlands. In 1997 Maarten founded the Vajra Foundation for development projects in Nepal. Among other things, the foundation built 10 schools, including Nepal's first ecological school, a hospital and 3 health posts, and set up the world's largest solar oven project, allowing 85.000 Bhutanese refugees to cook with the sun. Maarten received a royal award for this in 2019. For his 'Zwerfsangha' he organizes meetings, retreats and lectures.
Updates
Maarten Olthof organizes his last pilgrimage through India and Nepal from February 18 - March 10, 2025
Maarten Olthof, known for the book 'Walking in the footsteps of the Buddha', organizes and guides his last pilgrimage through India and Nepal from February 18 - March 10, 2025. The 21-day group trip passes the four main pilgrimage sites of ...
Live Meditation scheduled for 05-01-2024: Zen silence meditation with short text
Live Meditation: Zen silent meditation with short text. the inn that we all are The Zoom participation link, other information and tips for participation can be found on the 30NOW live page...
MASTERCLASS: 'How to find joy in a troubled time?'
Maarten Olthof and Mariëlle Gelissen are organizing the Masterclass in the months of October to December 2023: 'How to find joy in a time full of problems?' The course is accredited by the NVRG and the SKJ as a refresher course (40 hours), ...
My offer
Writing Haiku – Workshop
June 8, 2025 19.00:21.30 PM - XNUMX:XNUMX PM A solid introduction to becoming a haiku poet yourself 'Razor-sharp as a ...
Closed for registrations
Sustainable happiness – Floor series
The 'Four Noble Truths' and the 'Eightfold Path' The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are core concepts in the ...
Open for registrations - Start immediately
After the Retreat – Deepening Series
Joost van den Heuvel Rijnders in collaboration with meditation teachers Mirjam Schild, Bart van Melik, Frits Koster, Chris Grijns, Maarten Olthof, ...
Open for registrations - Start immediately
The Basics of Buddhism – Live Course
August 18 - September 13 The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are core concepts in Buddhism. The Four ...
Closed for registrations
Check out my upcoming “offline meetings”
You can view my upcoming offline retreats, meditation days and courses on the 'On Location' page ...
