Visiting
Day visits
The monastery is open to visitors daily
from 8.30AM to 12.00PM.
Guests who want to offer Dana usually arrive at around 8.30AM and prepare their offerings either in the kitchen area or at the veranda in front of the Dhamma hall.
Ceremonial food offering is at 9.00AM.
After the meal and kitchen clean-up the senior monk receives guests.
Detailed instructions on Buddhism and meditation practice are offered for people who are interested in a more spiritual approach to life. The monastery also provides limited accommodation and training for monks, novices and postulants.
Our aim is to offer a peaceful environment where the Buddhist teachings of wisdom, harmony and compassion can be put into practice.
Location
595 Seymour-Pyalong Rd,
Hilldene
VIC 3660
Open to visitors
Daily
8:30am – 12pm
Phone
0480 271 789
Due to monastic routine, the phone can be answered from 7.00am to 8.30am and from 10.00am to 11.30am only. At other times, please use text message.
Special observances
Visitors are invited to participate in special observance days.
Tan Ajahn Dtun annual visit
Friday 21 March — Monday 7 April, 2025
Please note: Tan Ajahn Dtun will be available to receive guests from after the mealtime until 12:00pm. He will not be accessible during the afternoon.
Wat Boonyawad has confirmed the travel itinerary for Tan Ajahn Dtun, who will be accompanied by a group of six monks and four laypeople.
Arrival Date:
Melbourne Airport on Friday, March 21st.
Accommodation:
The group will stay at Nigrodharama Forest Monastery until Thursday, March 27th. They will then spend a few days in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, before returning to Nigrodharama Forest Monastery on Sunday, March 30th.
Travel Details:
— Melbourne to Port Macquarie: Thursday, March 27th
— Port Macquarie to Melbourne: Monday, March 31st
Departure:
Tan Ajahn Dtun will return to Thailand on Monday, April 7th.
— Melbourne to Bangkok: Monday, April 7th.
Forest Cloth Offering
Saturday 5 April, 2025
On the occasion of Tan Ajahn Dtun’s visit there will be an opportunity for lay supporters to participate in the Forest Cloth Offering. It is a time to offer cloth for robes and other necessities to support the monastic sangha. Activities include a shared meal, auspicous chanting and a Dhamma talk.
Order of Ceremony
9:00am:
Dana Offering
10:30am:
— Homage to the Triple Gem
— Request the Five Precepts
— Request Paritta Chanting
— The Sangha Chants the Parittas
— Ask Forgiveness of the Triple Gem
— Forest Cloth Offering
— Dhamma Talk
— The Sangha Chants the Blessing
— End of Ceremony
Conduct
All guests are asked to abide by the following Precepts and Monastery rules:
To refrain from killing or harming any living being.
To refrain from taking that which is not given.
To refrain from any sexual activity. No physical contact or intimacy with another person.
To refrain from false or harsh speech.
To refrain from taking intoxicants which confuse the mind.
To refrain from eating before sunrise and after noon.
To refrain from entertainments, beautification and adornment.
To join in the monastery schedule and work duties.
To refrain from using computers, telephones, and internet.
Dress code
As a mark of respect for the Buddha and the Sangha, visitors to Nigrodharama Forest Monastery are kindly requested to be mindful of their clothing when visiting the monastery. Visitors are encouraged to dress modestly when coming to offer Dana.
All visitors, especially female visitors, are advised to not wear revealing shirts and tops, and to wear clothing that covers legs at least down to knee level.
Staying overnight
The monastery provides limited accommodation and training for monks, novices and postulants.
Lay men familiar with the Theravadin Forest Tradition, having some meditation experience and in good physical health may apply to the abbott for longer stays by email.
