Bodhinyana Monastery

Amidst the lush rolling hills of the Darling Range, near the small town of Serpentine, lies Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery. 20 huts which serve as monks' accommodation scatter over the 242 acres of the tranquil landscape. Clustered around the central area are the meditation hall, the kitchen/dining hall and 11 accommodations for angarikas and guests.

Bodhinyana monastery has come a long way since it's genesis on 1 Dec 1983. Named after the great teacher Ajahn Chah, Bodhinyana means the Wisdom of Enlightenment. With the help and support of the lay community the monks built the entire monastery by themselves. It was a hard and arduous task but through patience and perseverance, the monks managed to establish a home beneath the trees and within nature.

Venerable Ajahn Brahmavamso is the current abbot of Bodhinyana and the Spiritual director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia. Bodhinyana monastery provides an ideal environment of solitude and simplicity which is excellent for the Sangha who dedicate their lives to the practice and cultivation of virtue, meditation and wisdom.

The monk's way of life

A Buddhist monk's life is simple and virtuous. He does not seek happiness in fleeting distractions and worldly material pleasure. Instead, he strives for the inner peace within and the light of wisdom, which arise when the mind becomes still and calm.

The monk's daily ritual begins around 4.00 am with meditation in their huts. After an optional breakfast, there would be a period of chores before their last meal for the day at 10.30am. This meal is essentially the monks only meal for the day. The rest of the day is spent in seclusion, practising walking and sitting meditation and studying the Buddha's teachings. Sometimes, they come together to share an informal discussion at 6pm. They also chant together regularly and receive guidance from the senior monks in principles of Buddhism, meditation and proper conducts for a monk. Each fortnight, the monks meet formally to reaffirm their commitment to the training by reciting the monastic Code of Discipline, called the Patimokkha.

The Sangha and the lay community

The monks are not allowed to handle money and are not employed in paid work, but do accept other forms of generous offerings such as food and other necessary requisites. This way, the laity is able to cultivate the act of letting go and feel the joy of giving which is essential to every person's inner well being.

The monks are invited to give Dhamma Talks every Friday night at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre in Perth and also conducts meditation retreats in venues around Perth.

Visiting the Monastery

Monastery gates open:

• 7am - 6pm, Monday - Friday


• 7am - 1pm, Saturday and Sunday

Visitors are welcome to walk quietly around the Monastery grounds that are not marked as 'Restricted' or use the hall for individual meditation. Smoking, alcohol and music are prohibited on the monastery grounds.

Most people come for the daily offering of the meal at 10.30 am and participate in the ancient tradition of the alms round by putting rice in the monk's bowl. Before sharing the meal together, everyone will gather upstairs of the dining hall for a short blessing. After the meal, the monks are available to speak informally with the visitors.

The monks' huts are open to the public on formal occasions like the opening to the Rains Retreat and Kathina. It is a perfect opportunity for visitors to have a glimpse into a monk's simple livelihood and residential area.

Please remove your shoes and head-gear on entering the kitchen or food areas. Please wear modest clothing which covers you. This applies to both men and women, and includes not wearing short skirts, shorts, thigh slashes in skirts, sleeveless or low-cut tops and singlets. Please switch off you mobile phone and avoid making loud noises.

Use this Google Map link or WikiMapia link for more detail

Longer Stays

Those who are interested in residing in Bodhinyana for a period of time can request permission from the Guest Monk in person, by fax, telephone or mail. Visitors must apply early, as there has been a growing number wanting to stay at Bodhinyana. The monastery can only house 4 visiting men and 3 visiting women.

During the annual Rains Retreat (full moon in July to full moon in October) there is no short-stay accomodation for guests. If you wish to stay for the entire 3 months of the Rains Retreat, you must apply in writing to the Abbot.

Guest Information

There are 4 male and 3 female guest rooms available, free of charge (priceless). Local guests may stay for up to 2 weeks, interstate & international guests, for up to 4 weeks. There are no short stay rooms available during the Rains Retreat, from mid-July to mid-October. If you wish to stay for the entire Rains Retreat, please apply in writing to the Abbot. All other applicants, please contact the Guest Monk. Please note, applicants need to meet the following criteria:

• Applicants should be Buddhist, and a member of the B.S.WA. if living locally.


• Applicants should be experienced meditators, and have completed at least one Buddhist retreat. Note: there is no formal meditation teaching program at the monastery.


• Applicants should be in good physical and mental health.


• Guests must keep the 8 precepts & monastery rules, and assist with work duties.

The Eight Precepts

1. To refrain from intentionally taking the life of any living creature.


2. To refrain from taking what is not given.


3. To refrain from any sexual activity: no physical contact or intimacy with the opposite sex.


4. To refrain from speech which is dishonest.


5. To refrain from using alcohol or non-medicinal drugs. Smoking is banned in the monastery.


6. To refrain from eating after noon. Non-milk drinks, juice, sweets, sugar & honey are allowable.


7. To refrain from dancing, singing, playing music, and wearing cosmetics, perfume, and jewellery


8. To refrain from using luxurious beds and seats.

Daily Routine

• 06:30 Light breakfast. 7am for women guests, taken in own rooms.


• 07:15 Work Meeting: Tuesday - Friday for men. Women guests have set duties.


• 10:30 Dana offering to moks & main meal. After meal: clean-up in kitchen.


• 18:00 Drinks in the kitchen. Women take drinks in own rooms.


• 19:15 On Wednesdays there is a Dhamma talk in the Main Hall.

General Points

Guests should dress modestly: no shorts, singlets, or revealing clothing. All external business should be kept to an absolute minimum. Try to maintain silence as much as possible. All food & drinks are donated by the local Buddhists who come each day to the monastery.

What to Bring

1. Torch.


2. Alarm clock.


3. Toiletries and towel.


4. Sheets & sleeping bag. Bedding is available but must be cleaned before you leave.


5. Work clothes and shoes/boots.


6. Audio CD/MP3 CD player. Guests may borrow Audio CDs and MP3 CDs from the library

Coming and Going

Try to arrive around 10am, before the main meal. Your room should be cleared on your last day by 10am. For those without transport, please take the Australind train, from Perth to Serpentine Station: departing Perth at 9:30am or 5:55pm. For bookings call: 1300 662 205, or see: www.transwa.wa.gov.au After booking a seat, please confirm with us your arrival time, so we know when to pick you up.

Generosity and Making Donations

The Lord Buddha always praised the virtue of generosity. Our monastery depends solely upon the financial and material support of its lay disciples. With a large resident community, and many social services to perform, our running costs are considerable. Your generous donations will guarantee the future survival and continuing success of Bodhinyana Monastery.

Seeking ordination at Bodhinyana Monastery

Men from outside of Australia are welcome to seek ordination at Bodhinyana Monastery to train under Ajahn Brahm, but we cannot guarantee that this will always be possible. According to Australian visa regulations Bodhinyana Monastery must give precedence to Australian candidates. Moreover, the visa regulations are themselves quite onerous, and it is impossible to know beforehand whether any particular application will be successful.

Any prospective candidate for ordination should first of all enter Australia on a Visitor Visa, preferably a 12-month visa. Such visas are available without sponsorship from Bodhinyana Monastery. If the candidate wishes to extend his stay beyond those 12 months, he should approach Ajahn Brahm and ask whether the Monastery is prepared to sponsor a temporary residence visa for him. If there is sufficient accommodation available, then the monastery may be willing to support a candidate,if the circumstances are right.

Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery

216 Kingsbury Drive

Serpentine WA 6125

Australia

Tel: +61 (0)8 9525 2420

Fax: +61 (0)8 9525 3420

Bodhinyana does not have any email address and does not accept emails.