Sri Maha Bodhi sapling planted in Australia

Priyanka Kurugala

A sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was planted at the Dhammasara - the Nuns' Monastery in Western Australia under the direction of Chief Incumbent of Atamastana Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera and under the supervision of Royal Botanical Gardens Director General Dr Siril Wijsundara on November 26.

This Monastery is situated in Gidgegannup in Perth, Western Australia. Donors generously offered funds to the society to purchase 583 acres of land in this area.

This programme was held with the support of Ajahan Brahmavamso, the spiritual director of the Monastery.

It is a common perception among Buddhists that only distraught women become Dasa Sil Mathas or Buddhist nuns stemming from frustrations of old age or some unpleasant event in life.

However, many of them become bikkhunis due to true understanding of the dhamma and the teachings of the Buddha. This is true in the case of the Dhammasara Nuns' Monastery in Gidgegannup.

The Bikkhunis here are all educated girls - some even have Ph.Ds. Many of them are different from the usual Dasa Sil Mathas we see in many parts of the world. They have become nuns having listened to Ven Ajahan Brahmavamso Thera.

Tha Dhammasara is a place to practice the attainment of Nibbana. It will primarily be for Theravidin Nuns, and women who want to train to become nuns.

As resources and facilities develop there will be the opportunities for lay people who are committed to the Theravada school. Women who are willing to undertake the Eight Precepts for the duration of their stay, spend time as part of the community and on self-retreat.

According to Dr Siril Wijesundara the commencing programme will be a great path to nuns and women interested in practicing the Dhamma according to the teachings of the Buddha.