Sunnataram Forest Monastery : Brief History

Brief History

The monastery was established in 1989 by Phra Ajahn Yantra and his disciples. The property was donated by a devotee Elizabeth Gorski for the purpose of establishing a Thai Forest Monastery in Australia. Founding members included the late Colin McPhedran and many devotees in Australia and Thailand. 

 

The site of the monastery was previously Edenholme guesthouse situated on a hill to the south of the Bundanoon, in Teudts Road. The site commanded an immense view to the coast and during World War I some Germans were arrested and interned for the duration upon being accused of spying on naval shipping movements in Jervis Bay! 

 

 

 

Teudts road was named after the original owners Mr. and Mrs. Teudt. Mr. Teudt had one arm and a hook fastened to the stump of the other arm.  He had an orchard and used to put wrapping paper under his stump and roll the apples along his good arm and so wrap the apples.  He always drove his horse and dray with the reins held with his hook.  He was a very strong man and could pull a bag of bran off a stack with his hook only!

 

 

 

 

Sunnataram Forest Monastery was incorporated as a Buddhist educational institution in November 1990 and was granted status as a place of worship in March 1992. Venerable Phra Mana Viriyarampo was appointed abbot and is supported by a small multicultural committee.