On the 4^th of February 2007, about half a year after we moved into the house at 10 Norfolk Street, we had a grand opening ceremony with 13 monks and up to 200 laypeople attending. The group of visiting monks from Thailand was headed by Ven. Chao Khun Thepyanawisit, the abbot of Wat Phra Ram 9 Kanjanabhisek in Bangkok, who also blessed the new monastery sign and gave a Dhamma talk. The monks chanted auspicious Paritta chants and then    the international Buddhist flag was raised. Honourable guests including the Thai ambassador gave speeches and a local Maori group performed a kapa haka welcome for the monks. (See Gallery for pictures.)      

 

            Our daily routine includes almsround @8 am(pindapata) in the Tamatea area, the main DANA (meal offering)@11 am which is preceded by a short chanting session, the evening chanting in Pali at 6 pm which is followed by sitting meditation and the Dhamma talk. Every Thursday, also at 6:00pm is an opportunity to do chanting in Pali-English and also receive meditation instruction as well as guestions and answers. Feel free to come along.

Those who are not familiar with the Vinaya rules that the Buddhist monks follow can find out more from this page: Discipline and Conventions. 

A more detailed explanation can be found here.

"Discipline is for the sake of restraint, restraint for the sake of freedom from remorse, freedom from remorse for the sake of joy..."

 Certificate of Registration

On August 22nd 2007 the monastery received good news from the government, we are now recognized as a trust. The official document can be seen above. Thanks to all of our board members who worked together to see the application through.