Dhammasara

It is fundamental to the priciples of Thervada Buddhism that monastics, as alm 'mendicants', are completely dependant on lay supporters for their material needs. The Buddhist community thereby becomes mutually dependant. The lay community offers material support, whilst the monastic community provides spiritual support in the form of Dhamma talks, meditation guidance, personal counsel and exemplary behaviour. Dhammasara in particular offers a daily Dhamma talk, at the time of meal offering. This two-way sharing of merits fosters an ever-deepening sense of community and compassion.

A core aim of Dhammasara is to provide the space for committed Buddhist women to taste the monastic lifestyle firsthand, and if they wish, to be enabled to undertake the training to become fully ordained nuns.

From November to July, short-term visitors are welcome to stay at the monastery for a meinimum of three days. During their stay they are required to keep the eight precepts and follow the routine of the monastery. During the anual Rains Retreat from July to October, vistors must stay for the full three months. All bookings must be made in advance directly to the monastery as accommodation is limited.

Undertaking the Training

Women who wish to ordain at Dhammasara are required to have spent at least two years at the monastery continously following the training. The Eight Precepts include celibacy and not eating between 12 noon and dawn of the following day, but permit the use and control over one's own money. During the period when they are keeping the Eight Precpets they are required to drive, prepare food and handle money for the monastery as a service to the monastic community. The Tenth Precept is not to accept, use or have control over any kind of money of one's own, or for one's own use. At the stage of requesting 'the going forth' and taking the Ten Precepts , the candidate must be prepared to relinquish her material wealth and become completely dependant on the lay community for the material essentials of one life.

We ask local trainees to make an initial committment of six months and overseas trainees to commit themselves to to an initial minimum stay of three months with a visitor's visa. Overseas trainees are responsible for all their own travel and visa expenses and must arrive with a return air ticket and travel health insurance.

Women who are interested in findig out more about the monastery or who wish to apply for residency should write directly to

Ajahn Vayama (Abbess)
Dhammasara Nun's Monastery
203 Reen Road
Gidgegannup WA 6083
Australia

Phone / Fax: (61-8) 9574 6583

Dhammasara does not use e-mail for this correspondance