History of the Monastery

Early Bundanoon

In 1824, Bundanoon Recreation Reserve, now a part of Great Morton Park was founded.

The name "Bundanoon", an Aboriginal word, meaning "deep gorges" was adopted by the early settlers on 2nd April, 1881. During those times, land was difficult to cultivate. Water was always a problem and had to be carried from the nearest creek. Primitive drip safes were made in which to store food. Sugar and tea came by wagon from Sydney.

The main sources of employment came from the railway. Shops were then built to cater for the growing town. Coal mining, quarrying, logging and saw milling provided other sources of employment as the population increased.

Bundanoon is located in the Southern Highlands of N.S.W., about 100 miles from Sydney and Canberra. Its height of two thousand two hundred and five feet above sea level makes it an ideal holiday climate. The mountain air is cool, clear and stimulating. The views are magnificent, especially the gullies and escarpments of the Morton National Park and there is an astonishing variety of wild flowers and birds.

By the early 1900s, tourists were patronising Bundanoon and boarding houses were springing up to accommodate them. By this time, Bundanoon had an upsurge in population and activity and the foundation was laid for its future as a tourist resort.

Guest houses grew in number until they peaked between the two world wars, some 64 different guest houses which operated at one time or another have been identified.
A Guest House and A Monastery

The 100 acre property, an old farm and a guest house called "Edenholme" is situated on the outskirts of Bundanoon in Teudts Road. The road was named after the original owners Mr and Mrs Teudts. There was an extraordinary story about Mr. Teudt. He had one arm, with a hook fastened to the stump of the other arm. He had an orchard and used to put the 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.

The site of "Edenholme" guest house on a hill to the south of the Bundanoon village 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 !

The Edenholme guest house is now the Sunnataram Forest Monastery. From the new sala, you can see beautiful Jervis Bay.

The Beginning of the Monastery

Phra Ajahn Yantra's arrival in Australia has thrown a new light and hope for the serious beginning of a local-resident Buddhist Sangha. Hence, with his guidance, Elisabeth Gorski went out to search for a piece of land suitable for an establishment of a Buddhist forest monastery. This was how the present site was decided upon.

The 100 acre property, an old farm and guesthouse in the past, is situated in Bundanoon, a resort area in the Southern Highlands. The monastery is on a plateau in a bushland setting. It overlooks the gorges of the Morton National Park and on a clear day one can see Jervis Bay and the ocean. The monastery was started out with two old farm sheds and one set of toilets and shower.

With the help and contributions of a large number of devotees from various places, one shed was converted into a SALA or main hall for worship, which we used for chanting and meditation. The other shed was repaired for use as a kitchen and dining-room. Drinking water was from the rain, while water for other uses was pumped up from a natural spring down the hill. Building of the monks KUTIS (cottages) and small toilets had to be done in a hurry in order that they should be finished in time for the rains retreat of 1990. It was good that everything was finished on time. The credit went to the lay people, who did the work. We all worked under the inspiration and guidance of Phra Ajahn, who is our spiritual leader – and head of the Sangha at Sunnataram Bundanoon.

The late Professor Barry Davis and his wife Judy from Bundanoon. Prof. Davis was a lecturer of architecture from Sydney University. He helped to design most of the major buildings and the master plan of the monastery.

The Sunnataram Forest Monastery Incorporated

In order that our group be of good standing and recognised by law, Elisabeth Gorski with the help of her lay friend in the Dhamma, Margaret Enchelmaier, applied for the title of an incorporated organization. This was granted in November, 1990. And our organization is now under the title:

"SUNNATARAM FOREST MONASTERY INCORPORATED"

Moreover this property was granted as a place of public worship by Wingecarribee Shire Council on 25 March 1992.