Our Tradition

Theravada Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism, translated as the “Way of the Elders” is one of the oldest and most authentic forms of Buddhism, tracing it’s roots back to the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. The Theravada tradition places a strong emphasis on preserving the original teachings of the Buddha found in the Pali Canon - the oldest extant collection of Buddhist scriptures.

At the heart of Theravada Buddhism are the core teachings of the Buddha, which include the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

Theravada Buddhism places a strong emphasis on personal practice and self-reliance, with the aim of attaining enlightenment through the cultivation of morality, meditation and wisdom. Monasticism plays a central role in Theravada Buddhism, with monks and nuns dedicating their lives to the study and practice of Dhamma - the teachings of the Buddha.

Forest Tradition

The Forest Tradition is one branch within Theravada Buddhism that is distinguishable by its strong emphasis on meditation practice and the realization of Enlightenment as the focus of monastic life. Monks and nuns in the Forest Tradition strictly follow the Vinaya – the monastic rules and disciple laid down by the Buddha. Living in natural environments, such as forests, mountains and remote wilderness areas, gives monastics peace, solitude and simplicity to help develop deep states of concentration and wisdom, free from the distractions of urban settings.

Although Forest Monastics live a life of simplicity and renunciation, the Buddha did not allow them to live as absolute recluses, completely cut off from the world. The Buddha wanted there to be daily interactions between the monastics and the laity. To ensure this the Buddha made the monastics dependent on the laity for their material support. Monastics are not allowed to handle money and can only eat or drink things that have been offered to them. While laity provide material support for the monastics, the monastics provide spiritual support to the laity by way of teachings and spiritual inspiration.