Visiting
Day visits
The monastery is open to visitors daily
from 8.30AM to 12.00PM.
Guests who want to offer Dana usually arrive at around 8.30AM and prepare their offerings either in the kitchen area or at the veranda in front of the Dhamma hall.
Ceremonial food offering is at 9.00AM.
After the meal and kitchen clean-up the senior monk receives guests.
Detailed instructions on Buddhism and meditation practice are offered for people who are interested in a more spiritual approach to life. The monastery also provides limited accommodation and training for monks, novices and postulants.
Our aim is to offer a peaceful environment where the Buddhist teachings of wisdom, harmony and compassion can be put into practice.
Location
595 Seymour-Pyalong Rd,
Hilldene
VIC 3660
Open to visitors
Daily
8:30am – 12pm
Phone
0480 271 789
Due to monastic routine, the phone can be answered from 7.00am to 8.30am and from 10.00am to 11.30am only. At other times, please use text message.
Tan Ajahn Dtun Annual Visit 2026
Itinerary
The travel itinerary for Tan Ajahn Dtun’s annual visit is as follows (subject to change)
Monday 16 March
Thai Airways morning flight TG461 to Melbourne.
Collect rental cars. Accommodation at Nigrodharama Forest Monastery. (5 consecutive nights)
Thursday 19 March
Visit Vimokkharama Forest Hermitage, Kallista, Victoria at 3pm.
Saturday 21 March
Drive to Canberra. Overnight Canberra at Meriton Suites.
Sunday 22 March
Drive to Port Macquarie. Accommodation at Flynns on Surf Beach. (3 nights)
Monday 23 March
Meal at Wat Buddha Metta, Kempsey. Accommodation at Flynns on Surf Beach.
Tuesday 24 March
Meal at Wat Buddha Metta, Kempsey. Accommodation at Flynns on Surf Beach.
Wednesday 25 March
Drive to the Gold Coast, overnight at Meriton Suites, Surfers Paradise.
Thursday 26 March
Visit Dhammacakkha Forest Monastery. Overnight Gold Coast at Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise.
Friday 27 March
Return to Port Macquarie. Accommodation at Flynns on Surf Beach. (2 nights)
Saturday 28 March
Meal at Wat Buddha Metta, Kempsey. Accommodation at Flynns on Surf Beach.
Sunday 29 March
Drive to Sydney. Overnight Sydney at Meriton Suites, Coward St. Mascot.
Monday 30 March
Drive to Seymour. Accommodation at Nigrodharama Forest Monastery.
(8 consecutive nights)
Day visits to other monasteries throughout the week.
Friday 3 April
Visit the Buddhist Society of Victoria. Talk at 5pm.
Sunday 5 April
Annual Cloth Offering Ceremony at Nigrodharama Forest Monastery.
Tuesday 7 April
Return to Bangkok. Thai Airways, flight TG 466
Special observances
Visitors are invited to participate in special observance days.
Forest Cloth Offering
Sunday 5 April, 2026
On the occasion of Tan Ajahn Dtun’s visit there is an opportunity for lay supporters to participate in the Forest Cloth Offering. It is a time to offer cloth for robes and other necessities to support the monastic sangha. Activities include a shared meal, auspicous chanting and a Dhamma talk.
Conduct
All guests are asked to abide by the following Precepts and Monastery rules:
To refrain from killing or harming any living being.
To refrain from taking that which is not given.
To refrain from any sexual activity. No physical contact or intimacy with another person.
To refrain from false or harsh speech.
To refrain from taking intoxicants which confuse the mind.
To refrain from eating before sunrise and after noon.
To refrain from entertainments, beautification and adornment.
To join in the monastery schedule and work duties.
To refrain from using computers, telephones, and internet.
Dress code
As a mark of respect for the Buddha and the Sangha, visitors to Nigrodharama Forest Monastery are kindly requested to be mindful of their clothing when visiting the monastery. Visitors are encouraged to dress modestly when coming to offer Dana.
All visitors, especially female visitors, are advised to not wear revealing shirts and tops, and to wear clothing that covers legs at least down to knee level.
Staying overnight
The monastery provides limited accommodation and training for monks, novices and postulants.
Lay men familiar with the Theravadin Forest Tradition, having some meditation experience and in good physical health may apply to the abbott for longer stays by email.
