LP Sumedho at Buddhist Library

The Sound of Silence

Date:  Friday 22 April  6 – 8 pm

Venue:
Buddhist Library
90-92 Church St
Camperdown NSW
02-9519-6054

Cost:
Free

About The Teacher
Luang Por Sumedho (Ajahn Sumedho) was born in Seattle, Washington in 1934. After serving four years in the US Navy as a medic, he completed a BA in Far Eastern Studies and an MA in South Asian Studies. In 1966, he went to Thailand to practise meditation in Bangkok and received full ordination in 1967.

A fortuitous encounter led him to Ubon province to practise with Luang Por Chah, whom he took as his teacher and remained under his guidance for ten years. In 1975 Luang Por Sumedho, established Wat Pah Nanachat, the International Forest Monastery not far from Wat Pah Pong where Westerners could train in English. In 1977, he accompanied Luang Por Chah on a visit to England and remained there at Ajahn Chah’s request, residing at the Hampstead Vihara with three other monks. He subsequently founded Cittaviveka Monastery in southern England, and then Amaravati. He was thus the leader in establishing the Forest Sangha tradition in the UK.

Luang Por Sumedho was made an upajjhāya (ordination preceptor) in 1981. Since then he has given upasampadā (bhikkhu ordination) to more than a hundred aspirants of many nationalities. He remained as senior incumbent at Amaravati until November 2010, when he handed over the duties of Abbot to Ajahn Amaro. Luang Por Sumedho is now based in Thailand where his monastic life began in 1966.

For more info:
Call WBD Office at 0409 389-887 between 8 – 1 pm or email: wbdoffice@gmail.com

 

Monastery Report February 2016

 Public Talks by Ajahn Dtun

  • at Wat Buddha Dhamma (Any queries, please call the office 02-4323-3193 or 0409-389-887):
    • Saturday 12th March:
      • Dana         10:00 am
      • Q & A        11:30 -1:00 pm
    • Sunday 13th March:
      • Dana         10:00 am
      • Q & A        11:30-1:00 pm

 

  • at Buddhist Library Saturday 19th March (90-92 Church St. Camperdown, for directions, please call 02-9519-6054):
    • Dana         10:00 am  (Please arrive at 9:30 am for dana offering at 10)
    • Q & A        11:30-1:00 pm
    • Talk            7-9 pm

 

Publics Talks by LP Sumedho

  •  at Buddhist Library, Friday 22nd April (90-92 Church St. Camperdown, for directions, please call 02-9519-6054)
    • Dhamma Talk   6-8 pm

 

  • at Wat Buddha Dhamma:
    • Sunday 24th April:
      • Dana         10:00 am
      • Q & A        11:30-1:00 pm
      • Talk            7-9 pm
    • Monday 25th April:
      • Dana         10:00 am
      • Q & A        11:30-1:00 pm
    • Tuesday 26th April:
      • Dana         10:00 am
      • Q & A        11:30-1:00 pm
      • Talk            7-9 pm

 

Note: The above schedule is subject to last minute changes depending on LP Sumedho’s health and energy level. Please plan to arrive by 9:30 am for dana at 10. Any queries, please call the office at 02-4323-3193 or 0409-389-887


 

Vesak Celebration

Sunday 22nd May, 10 – 3 pm

Activities include:

  • Shared Meal
  • Auspicious Chanting
  • Dhamma Talk

 


Entrance to the Rains Ceremony

Sunday 17th July, 10 – 3 pm

Activities include:

  • Shared Meal
  • Auspicious Chanting
  • Dhamma Talk

 


Rains Retreat 2016

20th July to 16th October

You are cordially invited to spend the Rains Retreat at the Wat, to serve and to deepen your practice.

Minimum stay of one month and priority will be given to those who can commit themselves for the entire three months.

 


Kathina Ceremony

Sunday 23rd October, 10 – 3 pm

Activities include:

  • Shared Meal
  • Auspicious Chanting
  • Dhamma Talk

 


 

The Sound of Silence

One can believe that the sound of silence is ‘something’ or that it is an attainment, but it is not a matter of having attained anything but of wisely reflecting on what you experience. The way to reflect is that anything that comes goes; and the practice is one of knowing things as they are. No kind of identity is involved—there is nothing to attach to.

 

Excerpt from “Direct Realization”, Volume 3 of the “Ajahn Sumedho, The Anthology” box set


 

To register for upcoming retreats, please register online here. For further enquiries, please email or call the office at 0409-389-887 between 8 – 12 noon.

Monastery Report January 2016

Self-service email Newsletter subscription now available

All our News postings will now be sent to all our Mailing list Subscribers using a free service called “MailChimp”.  (Note: If you are reading this by email, then you are already “subscribed” to our “Friends of Wat” mailing list there.)  Subscribing/unsubscribing can now be done easily here:
https://wbd.org.au/mailing-list/

Visiting Monk: Venerable Pasannamano

Venerable Pasanamanno (his Thai nickname is Oo, pronounced like the “oo” in “food”, with a rising tone) is visiting our monastery, he plans to stay until Feb. 5th.  This makes six monks currently in residence.  He is a temporarily-ordained Bhikkhu (and his preceptor is Ven. Maha Samai).  Before ordaining, he used to work as a chef at the restaurant Thai Tables (in Hornsby).

Tahn Pasanamanno

Unusually high rain

We just had several days of rain, and we are happy that all our rainwater collection tanks are now full.  Our largest culvert (under our main road to the Sala) barely held out, as flowing rainwater almost exceeded its capacity.  Much gratitude is expressed to all the lay supporters who recently helped to maintain the road during our recent 5-day New Years retreat.  These efforts very substantially helped our road stay in good condition during all the rainfall.

Ajahn Khemavaro’s Sat. Night Dhamma Talks to be recorded and posted online

Watch for new Saturday evening Dhamma Talks by Ajahn Khemavaro, appearing here (hopefully posted by the following Tuesday or Wednesday):
https://wbd.org.au/audio/ajahn-khemavaro/

Income and Expense 2015

Wat Buddha Dhamma Foundation Ltd.
Profit & Loss FY June 2015

Income
Donations                                           148,035
Membership Fees                                     180
Miscellaneous Income                          2,611

Total Income                                      150,826

Expense
Gas – Bottle Hire & Refills                   4,107
Depreciation Expense                          8,283
Repair & Maintenance                       20,195
Donations                                               7,476
Travel Expenses                                  18,746
Vehicle Expenses                                15,827
Printing & Stationery                          9,362
Misc. Expenses                                   24,390

Total Expenses                                 108,386

Net Surplus                                  42,440

Monastery Report December 2015

Comings & Goings
Monks
1. Ajahn Sucittto left for NZ on 6th Nov, having spent the Rains.
2. Ajahn Khemavaro travelled to New Zealand to attend the Kathina Ceremony of Bodhinyanarama Monastery.
3. Ajahn Kusalo, Abbot of Bodhinyanarama, visited WBD from 12th to 19th November.
4. Ajahn Khemavaro led a 9-Day Retreat at Jhana Grove Meditation Centre, Perth in November.
5. Ajahn Chaiyaporn returned to Wat Boonyawad on 7th Nov.
6. Ven JR will be returning to Perth on 17th Dec
7. Ven Subharo, a Canadian work with 7 vassas, will join the community in Dec for 6 months.
8. Vens Preecha and Ning will come to AUS in March with Ajahn Dtun
9. Ajahn Medhino left for New Zealand in Dec and will travel on to Sri Lanka and Thailand.
10. Ajahn Santutthi will come back to WBD in mid March.

Layguests
1. David will be ordained as a Novice in Dec/Jan.
2. Fran will stay until May 2016.
3. Soong has asked to stay on after the Rains Retreat.
4. Donna has come for a 3 months stay at WBD.

Upcoming Retreats

New Year Retreat
30th Dec to 3rd Jan 2016

Visits from Senior Monks in 2016

Bhante Khippapanno
17th – 20th January

Ajahn Tiradhammo
February to May

Ajahn Dtun
March 2016

LP Sumedho
22nd to 27th April

Projects for 2016

Monks Toilet—Replacing the old toilets next to office with new ones for monks. Plan to be finished before Ajahn Dtun’s visit in March. Estimated cost: $3K
Road Work—Resurfacing the main tracks from office to Sala and Sangha House. Estimated cost $9K
New Kuti—Estimated cost $15K. Construction to begin in May 2016.

Rains Retreat 2015

30th July to 27th October

During the Rains Retreat the community at WBD will focus on formal meditation practice, cultivating stillness, compassion, and wisdom. The monastery is open for day visits, however, we will not be able to accommodate overnight guests. Emails will be answered between 5-7 days. If it’s urgent please call the office at 02-4323-3193 or 0409-389-887 between 11 am and 12 noon. Thank you for your support.

Wat Enews April 2015

Senior Monk in Residence

Luang Por Tiradhammo, one of the most senior Western monk in the Ajahn Chah Tradition, will be at the Wat until 19th May. He recently led a 5-Day Easter Retreat.

New Teachings on Website

Recordings of Ajahn Dtun’s March visit to Australia and LP Tiradhammo’s Easter Retreat will be available on the website shortly.

Vesak Celebration

Sunday 24th May 2015

Activities include: Shared Meal, Auspicious Chanting, and Dhamma Talk

10 – 3 pm

Vesak Weekend Retreat

with Ajahn Khemavaro

Friday 29th to Sunday 31st May 2015

Rains Retreat 2015

31st July to 26th October

You are cordially invited to spend the Rains Retreat at the Wat–to serve and to deepen your practice. Minimum stay of one month and priority will be given to those who can commit themselves for the entire three months.

Kathina Ceremony

Sunday 1st November 2015

Activities include: Shared Meal, Auspicious Chanting, and Dhamma Talk

10 – 3 pm

The Wrong Road

A wandering ascetic, having heard of the Buddha, travelled everywhere looking for him. One night he came to stay in a house where the Buddha was also staying but, not knowing the Buddha’s physical appearance, he was unaware of his presence. The next morning he arose and continued on his way, still searching for the Buddha. To search for peace and Enlightenment without correct understanding is like this.

Due to lack of understanding of the truth of suffering and its cessation, all the subsequent factors on the path will be wrong—wrong intentions, wrong speech, wrong actions, and wrong practice of concentration and tranquillity. Your likes and dislikes are not trustworthy guide in this matter either, although foolish people may take them for their ultimate reference. Alas, it is like travelling to a certain town—you unknowingly start out on the wrong road, and since it is a convenient one, you travel it in comfort. But it will not take you where you want to go.

Excerpts from A Still Forest Pool by Ajahn Chah

To register for upcoming retreats, please download an application form from our website www.wbd.org.au and send it to wbdoffice@gmail.com. For further enquiries, please email or call the office at 02-4323-3193 or 0409-389-887 between 9 – 12 noon.

Monastery Report March 2015

Comings & Goings

          Monks

  1. Ajahns Medhino and Tiradhammo have arrived.
  2. Venerable Cunda from Perth will come on 12th for a stay of 3-4 months.
  3. Ajahns Phanom will return to Thailand on 27th March with Ajahn Dtun as planned.
  4. Venerable Kimbila will be going back to Perth in April/May.
  5. Ajahn Chaiyaporn will return to WBD with Ajahn Dtun on 19th March.
  6. In May/June three monks from Boonyawad will come to WBD for the Rains.
  7. Ajahn Santutthi will leave WBD May/June to spend the next Rains at Bodhinyana Monastery and stay there until April/May 2016.
  8. Ajahn Cittapalo from Bodhinyana Monastery will join the community in July for the next Rains Retreat.
  9. There may be 8-10 monastics for Rains Retreat this year.

Layguests

  1. David and Darcy took anagarika ordinations in Nov.
  2. Flo, from Germany, has stayed on as caretaker and will be at WBD until June
  3. Francisca, from the Netherlands, is back and will stay for another 3 months.

Upcoming Ceremonies/Retreats

Ajahn Dtun Visit

Public talk at Buddhist Library at 7 pm 18th March

Weekend Retreat (20 – 22 March)  80 retreatants and 12 monastics.  Rosie and Patrick Co-Managers.  Uvadee to coordinate meals

Easter Retreat

Ajahn Tiradhammo to lead 5-Day Retreat  2nd to 6th April  Jade—Manager.  Uvadee to coordinate meals

Invitations to Senior Monks for 2015

LP Sucitto has confirmed he will be at WBD for Rains 2015

 Projects for 2014/2015

Thera Kuti—Almost finished and should be ready for Ajahn Dtun’s visit in March.  Ordered some wooden furniture from Thailand and will be arriving in 3-4 months.

Road Work—National Park has received some funding to grade the Old Northern Road.  They have asked us to help with some funding to buy gravel to fill the road.  Estimated cotst $10K

New Kuti—Estimated cost $15K.  Construction to begin in April 2015.

Upgrade Yurt—Internal renovations and painting.

Wat Enews January 2015

In the Presence of Nibbana

Practise Weekend

with Ajahn Dtun

Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd March 2015

 Still & Happy

5-Day Easter Retreat

with Ajahn Khemavaro

Thursday 2nd to Tuesday 6th April 2015

 Vesak Celebration

Sunday 24th May 2015

Activities include: Shared Meal, Auspicious Chanting, and

Dhamma Talk

10 – 3 pm

Vesak Weekend Retreat

with Ajahn Khemavaro

Friday 29th to Sunday 31st May 2015

Rains Retreat 2015

31st July to 26th October

You are cordially invited to spend the

Rains Retreat at the Wat.

To serve and to deepen your practice.

Minimum stay of one month and priority will be given to those who can commit themselves for the entire three months.

 To register for upcoming retreats, please download an application form from our website www.wbd.org.au and send it to office@wbd.org.au.  For further enquiries, please email office@wbd.org.au or call the office at 02-4323-3193 or 0409-389-887 between 9 – 12 noon.

Kathina Ceremony

Sunday 1st November 2015

Activities include: Shared Meal, Auspicious Chanting, and

Dhamma Talk

10 – 3 pm

Thinking & Doubting

There is this obsession with trying to figure things out—trying to know things through concepts, trying to get proof, to get facts and figures and the word of authority and experts.  Recognize that this is the thinking mind.  We might be highly intellectual, trying to understand Buddhism on that intellectual level, but we’re never able to figure out how to practice.

There is a place where there is no sense of ‘me’ or ‘myself’.  It’s not excited, depressed, bored, or whatever; it’s just empty, a clear, direct knowing.  This is where you have to trust in awareness because your thinking mind is going to doubt endlessly.  Only you can know what’s really happening in your mind.  Recognize that in terms of this present moment, here and now, this is awareness; it’s not your thinking mind.  The thinking mind will imagine anything—anything you think could be possible.  You can doubt yourself, doubt your motives, doubt your ability, and doubt Buddhism.  Doubt is the result of thinking—stop thinking and you stop doubting.

                                            Excerpts from Where Jackals Cease

Volume 5 of The Anthology by Ajahn Sumedho

Summary of Income and Expenses 2014

Wat Buddha Dhamma Foundation Ltd.                                  

Profit & Loss  FY June 2014                   

Income                                                        

Donations                                                    124,665

Membership Fees                                             337

Miscellaneous Income                                   2,789

Total Income                                        127,791          

Expense                                            

Gas – Bottle Hire & Refills                          9,250

Depreciation Expense                                  7,198

General Expenses                                      17,007

Repair & Maintenance                              18,699

Donations                                                   21,200

Travel Expenses                                       10,619

Vehicle Expenses                                        9,418

Total Expenses                                    93,391         

Net Income                                           34,400