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Ajahn Dtun to Visit Australia in March

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Kathina Ceremony at Boonyawad Monastery
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Kathina Ceremony at Boonyawad Monastery, Thailand

Ajahn Dtun, who is considered to be one of the greatest living Meditation Masters in Thailand, will be visiting Australia from 4th to 24th March

13th and 14th March at Wat Buddha Dhamma
Daily Schedule
9:00    Dana Offering
9:30  Meal Time
10:30  Q & A
For further info, please call the office at  0409 389 887.  

Dhamma Talk at Buddhist Library
Sunday 17th March
6 – 8 pm
90-92 Church St  Camperdown NSW
For more info, please call Buddhist Library at: 02 9519 6054
or email:  blmanager@buddhistlibrary.org.

Ajahn Dtun will be in Victoria from 4th to 11th and 19th to 24th March
He will be staying Nigrodharama Forest Monastery 
595 Seymour-Pyalong Rd
Hilldene VIC 3660

Daily Schedule
8:30    Dana Offering
9:00    Meal Time
10:30  Q & A
For further info, please call the Nigrodharama Monastery at  0480 271 789.  

The schedule is subject to last minute changes and alterations.
Masks are required for visitors.

Past Teachings of Ajahn Dtun in Australia and US

Ajahn Dtun at BSV

10-Day Retreat in Melbourne 2007

Talks at Wat Buddha Dhamma in 2015
Talks in Melbourne in 2015

Talks at BSV in 2016

Talks in 2019

Talks at Abhayagiri Monastery 2013

Picture Gallery:  Boonyawad Kathina 

English Talks from YouTube

Stages of Enlightenment and the Mind 

What Defines a Good Human Being:  From Harming to Helping Others

For additional teachings in Thai or books/CDs, click on the links below:
Website
YouTube Channel
Facebook   

The Sacred Equation

At the heart of the Buddha’s teaching is the Noble Eightfold Path, which is divided into the threefold training of sīla, samādhi and paññā, moral virtue, concentration and wisdom. The combination of all three path factors is commonly known as the Middle Way, and it is this very combination which forms a sacred equation that ultimately results in peace, freedom from suffering, liberation and Nibbāna. The three factors are mutually supportive of each other: moral virtue is a foundation for concentration, concentration the foundation for wisdom, and wisdom is the tool that works for one’s deliverance. Removing any one factor from this sacred equation will prevent one from reaching the path that leads to true happiness, Nibbāna.

The main part of this teaching begins with a very simple question which Ajahn Dtun asked a group of laypeople whom he knew to be students of a teacher who emphasizes the practice of ‘watching the mind’. This practice focuses on watching the arising and ceasing of all the objects of the mind’s awareness, with the view that this is the most effective way to give rise to wisdom and thereby cleanse the mind of the mental defilements. Those practising this particular method tend to overlook or underrate the role that concentration plays in the development of wisdom. Over the last 15 years this practice of watching the mind, while by no means new or modern, has attracted a great deal of interest and become very popular in Thailand. However, this new-found popularity has created concern among the more traditional forest masters, who stress that believing that the practice of just watching the mind can free it from the mental defilements is a great mistake. On many occasions over many years, Ajahn Dtun patiently gives advice to steer these practitioners back to the correct path of practice of moral virtue, concentration and wisdom, the Middle Way as taught by the Buddha. He also explains to practitioners that in no way whatsoever can concentration be taken out of the equation.

It is hoped that by reading this teaching the reader will gain a clear view of the complete path of meditation practice, and understand that solely contemplating the mind is not sufficient to free it from the mental defilements. The assumption that the mental defilements arise within the mind, and so must be dealt with solely by contemplating the mind, is true but not altogether correct. It is true that mental defilements do arise within the mind and so must be let go of within the mind, but it is not correct to believe that one can start the work of cleansing the mind at this point. This practice, as Ajahn Dtun clearly shows, is for those already highly advanced on the path to liberation, as they push forward to reach the final stage of enlightenment.

Preface from The Sacred Equation by Ajahn Dtun

Robes Offering Ceremony

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Sunday 16th October 2022

Arrival                                9:00  – 10:00 am                                   
Almsround & Lunch         10:00  – 12:00 pm
Ceremony                        12:00  –   1:00 pm
Guided Tour                       1:00  –   2:00 pm

The Robes Offering Ceremony marks the end of the Rains Retreat. On this occasion we rejoice in having spent the past three months at the Wat dedicated to the cultivation peace and kindness. This is a rare opportunity to take part in an old and inspiring Buddhist ceremony and a chance to connect with other practitioners.

The core values that are celebrated during the Kathina are those that make living together in harmony possible; qualities like kindness, compassion, patience and acceptance.  In our sometimes confusing and competitive world, it is important to remember that our own sense of well-being cannot be secure unless it is founded on acts of generosity and goodwill to others.

The ceremony will include taking the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, auspicious chanting and Dhamma talks by Luang Por Tiradhammo and Ajahn Khemavaro. After the ceremony there will be a monastery tour, where visitors can see some monks’ huts.

For further info, please call 0409 389-887 between 8-10 am and 11am -1 pm or email: wbdoffice@gmail.com.

Robes will be available for offering at the monastery.  
 

Community List for Rains 2022

Monks
LP Tiradhammo               
Ajahn Khemavaro                                                    
Venerable Panyannda

Layguests

Megan
Annie
Tommy
Jackie
David
Yuliana 

The Beauty of Simplicity and Silence
Weekend Retreat
with Ajahn Khemavaro
Friday 7th to Sunday 9th October 2022
Weekend Retreat Registration

Wisdom of Stillness
New Year Retreat
with Ajahn Khemavaro
Friday 30th to Monday 2nd January 2023
New Year Retreat Registration                             

Recent Talks on YouTube:

Sutta Class Rains Retreat 2022 Session #2
Three Cardinal Discourses of the Buddha
by Ajahn Tiradhammo

Sutta Class Rains Retreat 2022 #3
The Progressive Path to Freedom
by Ajahn Tiradhammo
 
The Life and Teachings of Ajahn Chah 
by Ajahn Tiradhammo

Guided Meditation 
by Ajahn Tiradhammo

Freedom from Desire Not Freedom of Desire
by Ajahn Khemavaro

Transcending Suffering Through Understanding
by Ajahn Khemavaro

Kathina 2019


For further enquiries, please email:  wbdoffice@gmail.com or call the office at 0409-389-887 between 8 – 12 noon.

Doubts and Other Demons


Q: What can I do about doubts? Some days I’m plagued with doubts about the practice or my own progress or the teacher.

A: Doubting is natural. Everyone starts with doubts. You can learn a great deal from them. What is important is that you don’t identify with your doubts. That is, don’t get caught up in them, letting your mind spin in endless circles. Instead, watch the whole process of doubting, of wondering. See who it is that doubts. See how doubts come and go. Then you will no longer be victimized by your doubts. You will step outside of them, and your mind will be quiet. You can see how all things come and go. Just let go of what you’re attached to. Let go of your doubts and simply watch. This is how to end doubting.

Q: These days, there seem to be so many teachers and so many different systems of meditation that it’s confusing. Which one should I follow?

A: It’s like going into town. One can approach from the north, from the southeast, from many roads. Often these systems just differ outwardly. Whether you walk one way or another, fast or slow, if you are mindful, it’s all the same. There’s one essential point that all good practice must eventually come to-not clinging. In the end, you must let go of all meditation systems. Nor can you cling to the teacher. If a system leads to relinquishment, to not clinging, then it is correct practice.

You may wish to travel, to visit other teachers and try other systems. Some of you have already done so. This is a natural desire. You will find out that a thousand questions asked and knowledge of many systems will not bring you to the truth. Eventually you will get bored. You will see that only by stopping and examining your own heart can you find out what the Buddha talked about. No need to go searching outside yourself. Eventually, you must return to face your own true nature. Right where you are is where you can understand the Dharma. 

An excerpt from Still Forest Pool by Ajahn Chah

Monastery Closed

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Following the 26 June NSW government COVID restrictions, Wat Buddha Dhamma is closed until further notice.

For more info regarding NSW COVID restrictions, please click on this link: COVID Restrictions.

Saturday Night Dhamma Talks and Sutta Classes have been uploaded to YouTube. Click here: WBD Talks.

Any further queries, please call the office on 0409 389 887 or email us at wbdoffice@gmail.com

Covid 19 Update–Open with Restrictions

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Sangha and Long Term Guests May 2020

On 1st June, the NSW government eased certain restrictions regarding COVID 19.  Places of worship can have a maximum of 50 people attending services, however the capacity must not exceed 4 square metres per person. For WBD, that means a maximum of 30 people in the Sala/Meditation Hall and 20 in Dana Sala/Kitchen Area.

Visitors will be required to provide their name and contact details when they enter so that they can be used for contact tracing.

To ensure that we comply with the regulations, please contact the office at 0409 389 887 or email at wbdoffice@gmail.com before visiting the monastery.

For more info regarding what you can and can’t do under the rules, please click here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules

Covid-19 Update

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Following the NSW government new regulations on 15th May, the monastery is able to accomodate up to 10 visitors at any one time. To ensure that we comply with the regulations, please contact the office at 0409 389 887 or email at wbdoffice@gmail.com before visiting the monastery.

Please note the following precautions:

Download COVIDSafe App before visiting the monastery.
Please leave your food offerings on the tables outside and 
do not come into the kitchen.  
Maximum of 4 people in the kitchen at any one time.
Please keep a distance of 1.5 meters from other people.

Visitors are asked to strictly observe the following hygiene rules:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or liquid hand-wash frequently.
Use paper towels to dry your hands or air-dry them.
Use hand sanitiser when it is available.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or clothing, or a tissue, 
not the room or your hands.
Dispose of tissues straight into a bin and wash your hands.

We also ask that if you are experiencing a fever or flu or cold symptoms, that you refrain from coming to the monastery.

Monastery Closed

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Following the NSW government regulations regarding closure of all indoor places of worship, the monastsery will be closed from Monday 23rd March.

Any further queries, please call the office at 0409 389 887 or email at wbdoffice@gmail.com

COVID-19 Announcements

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Wat Buddha Dhamma is open but we have implemented the following precautions:

  1. Please leave your food offerings on the tables outside and do not come into the kitchen.  
  2. Maximum of 4 people in the kitchen at any one time.
  3. Please keep a distance of 2 meters from other people.

Visitors are asked to strictly observe the following hygiene rules:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or liquid hand-wash frequently, and always after using a toilet.
  • Use paper towels to dry your hands or air-dry them.
  • Use hand sanitiser when it is available.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or clothing, or a tissue, not the room or your hands.
  • Dispose of tissues straight into a bin and wash your hands.

We also ask that if you are experiencing a fever or flu or cold symptoms, that you refrain from coming to the monastery.

No overnight guests until further notice.

Update on Bushfire: The Monks are Back

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Saturday, 14th December

  • Sala Still Intact

On Thursday, 12th December, the monks were allowed to return to the monastery.   We were pleased to see that the majority of the infrastructure were still intact.  The following were untouched by the fire:  kitchen/office area, Sala, Sangha House,  all the cabins in the lay village, and last but not least, the WBD sign at the entrance.  The fire consumed:  three meditation huts (Thera Kuti, Rock Kuti, and Kuti #7),  three water tanks, 9 wooden meditation paths, woodpile near lay shower block and a many meters of plastic water pipes.   The pictures below does not properly capture how amazing it is that most of the structures were not burnt.  In many cases, the bush around the huts were decimated, charred and burnt to the ground, yet the huts themselves  show little signs of fire/smoke damage.  For this we have the Rural Fire Service to thank for with the water bombing from the helicopters.   However, without the help of our friends in Thailand ie Luang Por Piak and Tan Ajahn Dtun, we think the damage would have been much much worse. 

Our first priority is to get water to the Monks Area as the water tanks are empty due to the pipes being damaged from the fire.  However, the kitchen/office area is fully functional and people are able to come and offer dana.  As there is still an active fire in the area, the Wisemans Ferry Road is closed to non-residents.  Fortunately, visitors to the monastery are exempted from the road block, if you tell them you’re coming to bring food to the monks.   We will be organising Good Karma Weekends to help with the clean up and restoration of the monastery over the next few weekends.  

Again, we would like to express much gratitude for the outpour of support and good wishes from local and overseas friends.

Photos of Bushfire at WBD