The Anagārikā Community
The Order of Sīladhārā (Ten Precept Nuns) began in 1979 with the Anagārikā ordination (Eight Precept Nuns) of four Western women at Chithurst Monastery.
For the first five years, the women lived as Anagārikā in a cottage about ten minutes walk from the main monastery.
In 1983 they were given the Ten Precepts, and in the following year, all of the nuns - by then four Sīladhārā and four Anagārikā moved to Amaravati Monastery, which was to be their new residence.
Since then a training structure has been established, consisting of the Ten Precepts and additional observances. There are currently 17 Sīladhārā and 6 Anagārikā residing at Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monastery.
The Samanera Community
The Bhikkhu community at Amaravati began from those that came from Cittaviveka Monastery in 1984. Many had spent some time training in Thailand at Wat Nong Pah Pong.
Usually, there are between 8 and 16 Bhikkhu* and Samanera* in residence, living a contemplative, celibate, mendicant life according to the Vinaya and Dhamma. They provide the living link with the Order founded by the Buddha over two thousand years ago. The community also consists of Anagārika, or white robed postulants on the 8 precepts, who after a year or two may be given Samanera ordination.
The community is not static as there are close links with the other branch monasteries both in England and abroad; Bhikkhu and Samanera move between the monasteries.
The community is led by Luang Por Sumedho
The Anagārika Community
The Bhikkhu community at Amaravati began from those that came from Cittaviveka Monastery in 1984. Many had spent some time training in Thailand at Wat Nong Pah Pong.
Usually, there are between 8 and 16 Bhikkhu* and Samanera* in residence, living a contemplative, celibate, mendicant life according to the Vinaya and Dhamma. They provide the living link with the Order founded by the Buddha over two thousand years ago. The community also consists of Anagārika, or white robed postulants on the 8 precepts, who after a year or two may be given Samanera ordination.
The community is not static as there are close links with the other branch monasteries both in England and abroad; Bhikkhu and Samanera move between the monasteries.
The community is led by Luang Por Sumedho
The Lay Resident Community
The Lay residents are this community
The Retreat Centre
At Amaravati, a group of buildings is set aside specifically for formal meditation retreats, taught by members of the monastic community.
Weekend retreats are of an introductory nature, while longer retreats provide an occasion for deeper investigation and practise of meditation. Broadly speaking, the teaching is from the vipassana or ‘insight’ meditation tradition; on some retreats a particular theme or approach to practice is emphasised.
Advance booking is necessary for all retreats, many are filled weeks or months beforehand.
The Retreat Centre depends on the generosity of retreatants to meet its costs. Previous retreatants have made a donation so that others can attend. Retreatants likewise have the opportunity to make a donation at the end of a retreat so that others can attend future retreats. The running of the Retreat Centre has been made possible through the generous support of many who have helped in a number of ways from offering their time and skills, cooking on retreats, DIY support, participating in work weekends and a multitude of other ways.
The Nuns Community
The Order of Sīladhārā (Ten Precept Nuns) began in 1979 with the Anagārikā ordination (Eight Precept Nuns) of four Western women at Chithurst Monastery.
For the first five years, the women lived as Anagārikā in a cottage about ten minutes walk from the main monastery.
In 1983 they were given the Ten Precepts, and in the following year, all of the nuns - by then four Sīladhārā and four Anagārikā moved to Amaravati Monastery, which was to be their new residence.
Since then a training structure has been established, consisting of the Ten Precepts and additional observances. There are currently 17 Sīladhārā and 6 Anagārikā residing at Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monastery.
Plans are under way to establish a training monastery for Sīladhārā in California, USA. Please visit http://www.saranaloka.org for more information.
The Monks Community
The Bhikkhu community at Amaravati began from those that came from Cittaviveka Monastery in 1984. Many had spent some time training in Thailand at Wat Nong Pah Pong.
Usually, there are between 8 and 16 Bhikkhu* and Samanera* in residence, living a contemplative, celibate, mendicant life according to the Vinaya and Dhamma. They provide the living link with the Order founded by the Buddha over two thousand years ago. The community also consists of Anagārikas, or white robed postulants on the 8 precepts, who after a year or two may be given Samanera ordination.
The community is not static as there are close links with the other branch monasteries both in England and abroad; Bhikkhu and Samanera move between the monasteries.
The community is led by Luang Por Sumedho
The English Sangha Trust
As with all Theravada Buddhist Monasteries, the Sangha at Amaravati is supported by dana - freewill offerings. As monks and nuns cannot handle money, the English Sangha Trust (registered charity no. 231310) acts as their steward.
The Trust was set up in 1956 to promote the teachings of the Buddha in the UK by providing and maintaining residences for the Sangha.
Today it is responsible for the upkeep of Amaravati and Cittaviveka Monasteries.
For more information on any of the above, please enquire by writing to Amaravati.
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Jande AndersonNyanadassi (Jande) Retreat Centre Manager |
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Luang Por ChahVenerable Ajahn Chah (Pra Bhodinyana Thera) was born into a typical farming family in Baan Gor village, in the province of Ubon Rajathani, N.E. Thailand, in 1917. He lived the first part of his life as any other youngster in rural Thailand, and, following the custom, took ordination as a novice in the local village temple for a number of years, where he learned to read and write in addition to some basic Buddhist teachings. |
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Luang Por SumedhoLuang Por Sumedho was born in Seattle, Washington in 1934. After serving four years in the US Navy as a medic, he completed a BA in Far Eastern Studies and a MA in South Asian Studies. In 1966, he went to Thailand to practice meditation at Wat Mahathat in Bangkok. Not long afterwards, he went forth as a novice monk in a remote part of the country, Nong Khai, before receiving full ordination in 1967.
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Ajahn VajiroVenerable Vajiro (Phil Gunton) was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1953. Upon graduating in 1974, he began a study accountancy. During this period, a friend encouraged him to go on a ten-day meditation retreat with John Coleman at the Oakenholt Buddhist Centre near Oxford. He attended further retreats there in 1976 and 1977.
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