1.  We have two new visiting Monks:

• Luang Por Tiradhammo (who will be staying with us until May 11th, 2016).

Biography:

Ajahn Tiradhammo is a very warm and cheerful Bhikkhu, and always an interesting speaker. He is also a world famous author of many free-for-distribution books. Now ordained for 41 years, he has lots of experience with all aspects of Buddhism. Newcomers will certainly find his talks easy to follow, as well as experienced meditators.

He is currently of no fixed abode and travels widely.

Latest Free-for-Distribution ebook: Working with the Five Hindrances, also available in hard copy at WBD

• Ajahn Santhutthi, WBD’s own happy Buddha, has been in Perth for the past ten months, and has returned to the Wat.

2. New Caretaker: Zen, who has been visiting for several months off and on, has returned and has agreed to stay on for one year.

3. Several new Videos have been posted on our website:

• Quick Driving Tour of Wat Buddha Dhamma (MP4, ~631MB, ~6min, 720p, 60fps, ~1.9MB/sec, it’s recommended to completely download this file first before viewing)
• by Ajahn Tiradhammo: Kamma and Attitude Mar 5, 2015 (MP4, ~1GB, ~45min)
• Ajahn Dtun’s visit, 2013 (MP4, ~923MB, ~1hr, 14 min)
• Kathina Celebration, 2014 (MP4, ~1.26GB, ~40min)
• Thai Aussie Day, 2014, with Tan Chao Khun Samai (MP4, ~1.28GB, ~45min)
• Robe Offering Ceremony, 2013 (MP4, ~1.48GB, ~52min)

Tip: If any video displays in your web browser with any stuttering or pauses, try saving the video file locally first, then open it using a video app such as VLC.  For example, in Firefox, to save these video files locally on your computer, right click a video, then choose “Save Link As…” or “Save Video As…”.

3. Several New Audio Dhamma Talks have been posted on our website:

• Luang Por Liem in Sydney, recorded Mar 2, 1026
• Ajahn Khemavaro’s Saturday Night Dhamma Talks

4. We’re experimenting with recording our own videos to post on our website.  We are hoping to have LP Sumedho and Ajahn Dtun teachings on website soon.  We’re grateful to Lincoln Mitchell for his expertise and generous assistance in this respect.

 Public Talks by Ajahn Dtun

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

• at Buddhist Library Saturday 19^th 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 22^nd April (90-92 Church St. Camperdown, for directions, please call 02-9519-6054)
  • Dhamma Talk   6-8 pm

• at Wat Buddha Dhamma:
  • Sunday 24^th April:
    • Dana         10:00 am
    • Q & A        11:30-1:00 pm
    • Talk            7-9 pm
  • Monday 25^th April:
    • Dana         10:00 am
    • Q & A        11:30-1:00 pm
  • Tuesday 26^th 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 22^nd May, 10 – 3 pm

Activities include:

• Shared Meal
• Auspicious Chanting
• Dhamma Talk

Entrance to the Rains Ceremony

Sunday 17^th July, 10 – 3 pm

Activities include:

• Shared Meal
• Auspicious Chanting
• Dhamma Talk

Rains Retreat 2016

20^th July to 16^th 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 23^rd 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.

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).

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/

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.

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.

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.

Comings & Goings

          Monks

1. Ajahns Medhino and Tiradhammo have arrived.
2. Venerable Cunda from Perth will come on 12^th for a stay of 3-4 months.
3. Ajahns Phanom will return to Thailand on 27^th 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 19^th 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 18^th 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  2^nd to 6^th 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.