Nepal Forest Monastery
(NFM)
Latest Update
September 2026
In the past nine months, several monastics stayed in NFM in for a period of time. They left due to their visa expiry and hope to return when their visas are successfully renewed. This included monks from Ajahn Thanissaro's monastery in US.
We are fortunate that Bhante Nipun who is Nepalese is able to spend the vassa in NFM.
We are delighted to inform that two new kutis are now built in NFM. One of these is located away from the main NFM building, and suited for a monk. The other kuti accomodates a nun, and is a little closer to the main building. This is another great step to develop suitable secluded dwelling conducive for practice. Sadhu Anumodana for the supporters and contributors ! A little slideshow is provided below.
We are now planning to build three more kutis in the forest a little distance away from the main building. This will allow NFM to accomodate more monastics who wish to practice here.
-Nepal Forest Monastery Team
Slideshow of Kuti Construction
ABOUT THE MONASTERY
Objectives of the Nepal Forest Monastery
-
Provide a place of residence for Buddhist monks who sincerely adhere to the full Vinaya (the code of conduct of Buddhist monks) as subject to the guidelines and rules laid out in the Vinaya-Pitaka of the Pali Canon
-
Provide an opportunity for the Nepalese local community to practice the Buddha's teachings especially in a location where now there is a strong desire and community support for the establishment of such a place.
Ajaan Keng Khemako, NFM Spiritual Advisor
Below are some links for further information on Ajaan Keng :-
Nepal Forest Monastery Opening
Ajaan Chao Khun Keng Khemako, Phra Vinayad Dhammavidesa, is a Singaporean Buddhist monk who ordained in 1987 at the age of 24 at Wat Asokaram in the Thai Forest Tradition. He underwent 3 years monastic training under Ajaan Ṭhānissaro(Geoff) in Wat Dhammasathit, Rayong, Thailand. Here he also met one of his key spiritual mentors, Luang Puu Jia Cundo, who was one of Luang Puu Mun’s disciples.
He then spent the next five years as a dhutanga tudong monk, practising intensively in the seclusion of deep forests in the Thai-Myanmar border, depending on the kindness and support of the hill-tribes. Even though he encountered much hardship and even life-threatening situations, he felt that the forest ascetic practices taught by the Buddha was very beneficial and crucial to his practice.
After wandering for eight years in the forests of Thailand, Luang Puu Jia prompted him to return to Singapore to teach. Since then, he compassionately taught both lay and monastic disciples all over the world including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, USA and Australia. He is currently the President of Palelai Buddhist Temple, Singapore; Abbot of Santi Forest Monastery in Johor, Malaysia; President of the Dhammayuttika Order in Malaysia and Singapore; and Religious Advisor of Wat Sampanthawong, Australia. He also founded three monasteries: Santi Forest Monastery, Wat Paa Doi Charoentham in Omkoi, Thailand, and Wat Khemago Buddhist Association in Mankarbo, Sweden
Whenever he finds the opportunity, he continues to undertake tudong. In 2018, he led his monastic disciples on tudong over 1000km from Southern Thailand to Singapore. In late 2019, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Luang Puu Mun, the tudong was 300 km in mountainous terrain of North Thailand. He also led disciples to tudong in Australia over 3 separate occasions:- In 2021, 1087km from Lara Victoria to Sydney; another 794 km hike from Lara to Adelaide in 2022; the latest being 190km from Hobart to Launceston in 2024.
Location of Nepal Forest Monastery
Click Here for NFM in Google Maps
The Nepal Forest Monastery land is located approximately 40km from Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha.
Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which is one of the four key holy pilgrimage site for Buddhists. King Asoka was one of the earlier pilgrims and erected one of his commemorative pillars there in 249 BC.
The Lord Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life in this area before he left home to pursue his aspiration to seek a way out of suffering.
Link Here to more information from UNESCO on Lumbini
Offering of Land for NFM at Wat Sampathawong, Australia
16 November 2024
Venerables,
We the Buddhist lay community led by Sandeep Karki request to offer this land to the bhikkhu sangha of the four directions, those who have arrived already, and those who are yet to arrive.
May the merit of offering this land be of great benefit to the bhikkhu sangha of the four directions, those who have arrived already, along with those who have yet to arrive.
May the bhikkhu sangha accept this land for our longterm welfare and happiness
Nepal Tudong & NFM Official Opening
25 February 2025
The tudong commenced on 15 Feb 2025 around the Lumbini area to pay homage at different holy sites. It completed on 24th Feb with the final 30km walk to the Nepal Forest Monastery.
On 25th Feb, it was with much happiness that inauguration ceremony was held and the Nepal Forest Monastery is officially open. Many people from the surrounding villages offered dana and partaked of this auspicious event
Ajaan Keng ....
"The intention of this walk is to commemorate the lands that is going to be offered for our monastery. This is not merely a physical walk or journey but a pilgrimage of faith, conviction, devotion and gratitude.
By honoring the Buddha and the Triple Gem in the spirit of mindfulness, and expressing gratitude to the donors for their noble offering, we seek to create merits for a peaceful and mindful journey, as well as to bless the land with our present prayers and inspiration for the monastery's success. Additionally, we hope to inspire ourselves and others in our commitment to the Dhamma."
