PRESS RELEASE: Ajahn Brahm —World renowned meditation master in Sydney to support new Buddhist nuns residency

Internationally and locally respected senior Buddhist monk, Ajahn Brahm, is visiting Sydney from 16th to 18th February 2024 to teach meditation, Buddhism and to support Santi Forest Monastery’s newly-established Buddhist nuns’ residence in Leumeah, NSW, that cares for elderly nuns and nuns living with disabilities and chronic illnesses. This initiative, from Santi Forest Monastery, is the first of its kind for Theravada Buddhist nuns in Australia
Ajahn Brahm is a revered spiritual guide, and his talks draw crowds in the thousands. After attending Cambridge University to study theoretical physics, he became a Buddhist monk in rural Thailand in the 70’s under the famous meditation master, Ajahn Chah. He is now the Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery in Perth and the spiritual director of the Buddhist Society of WA. In 2019, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his contribution to the Buddhist community and especially for his promotion of women’s rights in Buddhism.
Like many spiritual and religious traditions plagued by patriarchal inequality, women in certain Buddhist traditions have experienced significant gender-based discrimination and marginalisation. Ajahn Brahm has played a pivotal role in changing this picture by helping to revive, in the Theravada tradition, the order of nuns that was originally established by the Buddha. The higher ordination of Buddhist nuns in 2009 at Ajahn Brahm’s monastery caused an upheaval in the Theravada Buddhist world, and he was censured and ostracised by a section of the monastic order.
In spite of its troubled birth, the order of Theravada Buddhist nuns is thriving in Australia. The number of nuns has grown steadily over the last fifteen years. Nuns’ advocacy, along with the increasing presence of female spiritual leadership in Buddhism, has transformed perceptions and improved gender equality within Buddhist organisations and communities.
Santi Forest Monastery is one of two large forest monasteries in Australia dedicated exclusively to nuns of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Santi is situated on 150 acres of rugged eucalyptus forest, on the edge of Morton National Park, in the NSW Southern Highlands. It is a place of unique beauty with cliffs, caves and wildlife, well suited to quiet contemplation. It is a rare place where Buddhist nuns can live in forest huts and practice the teachings of the Buddha, just like Buddhist monks.
With the increase of women interested in taking up monastic life in Australia, it is essential to establish facilities to offer support for everyone, including those who require additional services. In July 2023, the nuns’ community at Santi purchased a suburban property close to medical facilities for this purpose. Ajahn Brahm continues to have a critical role in raising funds for building and establishing places for Theravada Buddhist nuns. Ajahn Brahm’s teaching tour in February is to raise awareness and support for the Buddhist nuns in NSW and to offer valuable teachings to the general public, free of charge.
To book your spot and for more information about Ajahn Brahm’s Sydney Tour: https://www.mettacentre.com/ajahn-brahm-sydney2024/
For more information about Santi Forest Monastery suburban residency project and donations: https://santifm.org/santi/donations/suburban-nuns-vihara/