Seeking refuge via Internet
Notes from Down-Under
Forty- four persons from around the world sought and obtained refuge in the Triple Gem -Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha – and the Five Precepts from Ajahn Brahmavamso online during Vesak this year. “This is a unique occasion. It’s the first time that those interested in Buddhism took refuge via internet,” Ajahn Brahm told me after the event held at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre in Perth.
The Vesak ‘online’ session in progress at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre in Perth
Amongst those who listened to Ajahn Brahm online and observed ‘pansil’ included persons from USA, Mexico, Nigeria, Africa, India and Sri Lanka. About 20 more were present at the centre to observe the precepts and become practising Buddhists.
Ajahn Brahm said that they have been following his talks over the website and had developed an interest in Buddhism. Going for refuge means taking the Buddha’s teachings as one’s guide in life. The five precepts are the moral conduct the Buddha recommends for his lay followers.
The simple ceremony started sharp at 3.45 in the afternoon on Sunday, May 26. Everyone had been alerted in advance via the website. Those present at the centre were invited to sit before the team of monks led by Ajahn Brahm. After a brief introduction Ajahn Brahm read out the list of names mentioning their countries as well and invited them to repeat the chants after him.
“You will hereafter follow a beautiful life style based on the teachings of the Buddha,” he said. The ceremony followed the ordination of an Australian adult, Tom Anderson, who was admitted to the Order as a ‘samanera’ – novice monk.
This year’s Vesak celebrations were of special significance to the Buddhist Association of Western Australia (BSWA) since 2013 marks the completion of 30 years since the arrival of Ajahn Brahm in Perth. He arrived in Perth in In April 1983 after spending nearly nine years in Thailand. His ordination as a Buddhist monk following the Theravada Thai Forest tradition was by the Abbot of Watt Saket in December 1974. Ajahn Brahm subsequently studied and trained under Venerable Ajahn Chah.
Soon after arriving in Perth, Ajahn Brahm moved into a small vihara in Perth owned by the BSWA. After the ‘vas’ (rains)season in 1983, the then Abbot and Ajahn Brahm chose a secluded property of 97 acres of bush land in Serpentine, the hilly suburb of Perth to establish the current Bodhinyana Forest Monastery. Despite the lack of facilities, the monks moved to Serpentine in 1983.
In 2001, more land was acquired for the Monastery and today the monks are provided with facilities to lead a meditative life according to the forest tradition. They have complete solitude with their single ‘kutis’ being spread among the woods. A separate image house and an alms hall and an open sitting area for the devotees who visit the monastery have been built.
With the establishment of the monastery, the Sangha began to grow and Ajahn Brahm became an inspiration to the Perth Sangha and his leadership influenced many monks, nuns and lay community to practise Buddha’s teachings. In 2009 the Jhana Grove Retreat Centre was completed with funds from donors around the world. Today Jhana Grove has become a primary venue for meditation with devotees from Australia and worldwide.
Ajahn Brahm’s emphasis on a simple and direct approach to the practice of the Dhamma and its applications in daily life has inspired large numbers of people who are interested in the teachings of the Buddha, not only in Australia but around the world.
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