NEPAL FOREST MONASTERY
Towards the establishment of an Ajahn Chah Forest Monastery in Nepal
WELCOME
Welcome to the official website of the Nepal Forest Monastery.
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Within this site you will find information about the project, details on how to get in touch with the committee, and stay up to date via our mailing list.
Project Update
Dear supporters of the Nepal Forest Monastery project, please find below the latest update from Ajahn and the project: (9th May 2021)
Due to the recent unfortunate COVID circumstances Ajahn Rocano has been unable to travel to Nepal since 2020, and is currently practicing in Thailand at Wat Ratanwan. During this time he has been seeking advice from many Ajahn Chah Krooba Ajahns on the best way to progress the monastery's development once he is able to travel to Nepal.
Based on this advice he has received, once he is able to visit Nepal again, the first step would be to establish an initial city based meditation centre in Nepal (possibly in Kathmandu), which would enable our project and Ajahn to organically develop a network of local Nepalese lay supporters, and with their support and time, this would assist greatly us in finding a suitable forest piece of land for the actual monastery to be built. In the meantime Ajahn continues to meet with Senior Ajahns for guidance on the project, and is continuing his practice well at Wat Ratanawan. Our small committee team here in Melbourne meets on a regular basis with Ajahn Rocano and will update you as things progress via the website.
We thank you for your kind generosity and patience in this meritorious endeavour, and wish you well being and happiness,
-Nepal Forest Monastery Project
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Establishing an Ajahn Chah monastery in Nepal
History:
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During a visit by Ajahn Rocano to his original country of birth (Nepal) in 2018, a community of local lay supporters who knew of Ajahn Rocano and wished to sincerely practice Buddhism in a suitable forest location in Nepal, requested if Ajahn would be willing to establish a monastery of Ajahn Chah lineage within Nepal to support and encourage the growth of Buddhist Practice.
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Upon Ajahn's return to Australia (Buddha Bodhivana Monastery) he gave this significant thought, and given that no Ajahn Chah related community existed in Nepal, and the opportunity to help establish the practice of the Dhamma further within his country of birth, with the blessing of several senior monks in the Ajahn Chah community, he sought to lay the groundwork for the beginnings of this endeavour.
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The Project
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Our project seeks to establish a monastery of Ajahn Chah lineage in Nepal which will of benefit in the following ways:
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Provide an opportunity for the Nepalese local community to practice and learn in the Ajahn Chah tradition, especially in a location where now there is a strong desire and community support for the establishment of such a place.
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Build a greater network of Ajahn Chah practice across the world, as this would be the first Ajahn Chah lineage monastery within Nepal, notably within the Buddha's country of birth.
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The Location
Due to the complexity and critical importance of the land for where the monastery shall be built, potential locations for the establishment of the monastery are being carefully considered.
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Updates will be made available via the website and/or the mailing list.
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How to keep in touch
To stay updated, please subscribe to our mailing list at the end of this website
AJAHN ROCANO
Spiritual Director, Nepal Forest Monastery
Early Life
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Ajahn Rocano was born Suman Napit, July 1975 in the town of Kirtipur (Nepal) to a farming class family, as the first born child of three brothers and one sister.
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From a young age, he was interested in the Buddhist teachings and practice, and shortly after completing his college studies he took novice ordination at the age of 18 at a Thai tradition temple in his hometown of Kirtipur (Nagar Mandap Shree Kirti Bihar).
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After almost year as a novice, the young monastic traveled to Thailand to continue his novice training at Ajahn Chah’s International Forest monastery Wat Pah Nanachat for several years.
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Full ordination
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At the age of 22, he took his full ordination under Luang Por Liem at Wat Pah Pong located in Ubon Rachthani in the northeast of Thailand
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Since his full ordination as part of the Ajahn Chah lineage, Ajahn Rocano has had the excellent opportunity to practice under the tutelage of several highly esteemed Ajahn Chah disciples in Thailand, including Luang Por Liem, Ajahn Jandee, Ajhan Dtun and Ajahn Anan.
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For the last 4 years he has been practicing in Australia, and since 2015 to 2019 he has been the second most senior resident monk to the Abbott at Buddha Bodhivana Monastery, Australia (Ajahn Kalyano).
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE
How to contribute to our Building Fund
DONATIONS
Donations to our monastery establishment fund will enable the purchase of the land and provide construction funds for the new monastery building.
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Donations can be made to the following Australian Bank Account:
Account Name: Nepal Forest Monastery Incorporated
BSB: 083-028
Account Number: 22-229-3523
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For those making donations from overseas,
please contact us at our email address:
nepalforestmonastery@gmail.com
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VOLUNTEERS
Our committee and the project is always on the lookout for more help!
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We currently are seeking:
Lay supporters in Nepal who can assist Ajahn Rocano in the search for suitable monastery locations, or assisting with his travel requirements
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Please use the contact from below if you may be able to assist.
A MESSAGE FROM TAN AJAHN ANAN
In this message, Tan Ajahn Anan speaks with Ajahn Rocano and gives his support and blessings for this meritorious endeavour.
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The gift of Dhamma excels all gifts,
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The taste of the Dhamma excels all tastes
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The delight in the Dhamma excels all delights.
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-Dhammapada v.354
CONTACT NEPAL FOREST MONASTERY
If you would like to learn more or may be able to assist, please contact us using the provided form or email address below:
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