Here at The Fold, we totally love the Southern Highlands for its divine food, fashion, landscape and lifestyle.
But did you know that the Highlands is also home to a place as unexpected as the Sunnataram Forest Monastery? Wow, right?
It’s a Theravada Buddhist monastery in the Thai forest tradition – a beautiful, unexpected gem ready for you to discover, and it’s just on the outskirts of lovely Bundanoon.
True to monk-like form, its presence is so low-key that many locals don’t know about it.
Here’s what Sunnataram has to offer!
1 :: Sunnataram Forest Monastery is on the outskirts of Bundanoon
It’s an easy and lovely 10-minute drive from Bundanoon. Take Penrose Road out of the village and turn left at Teudts Road.
Travel down Teudts for about 2.5 kilometres and you’ll see clear signage on the left-hand side of the road directing you to its carpark. Then get ready to be transported to another time and place!
Sunnataram is set on 100 acres of bush, hills and cliff faces that adjoin the Morton National Park, with breathtaking views of Kangaroo Valley, Jervis Bay and Nowra on the horizon.
Not only that, but it’s dotted with the most spectacular architecture, such as the Gratitude Pagoda, Dhamma Amphitheatre, 3D World Map, and Buddhist sculptures.
2 :: The Sunnataram property was donated to Thai forest monks
Back in the late 1980s, Bundanoon resident, Elizabeth Gorski, donated 100 acres of land to Phra Ajahn Yantra and his disciples in 1989.
Elizabeth had travelled to many parts of the world and was taken by the Thai forest tradition.
These days, Sunnataram’s abbot is Bangkok-born Phra Mana, who has lived at Sunnataram since its establishment and holds the weekly dhamma talks.
The property is lovingly maintained by dynamic local, Kim McSweeney, with plenty of support from local and Sydney-based volunteers.
3 :: Sunnataram follows the Theravada Buddhist tradition
Theravada (‘the way of the elders’) is believed to be the oldest of all Buddhist traditions and is commonly practised in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
It holds true to the four noble truths and eightfold path to enlightenment, and is founded on ideas such as impermanence, karma, rebirth and non-self.
Buddhist teachings are far-reaching and complex, of course, so it’s worth taking your time to learn more if you’re interested!
Given the current global turbulence, it’s consoling to be reminded of the need to be flexible and adaptable in the face of uncertainty, and to embrace knowledge, wisdom and loving-kindness. The monks encourage us to use the qualities of the heart: towards others and ourselves.
4 : Sunnataram hosts regular dhamma talks and vegetarian feasts
Dhamma talks are held outside so everyone is immersed in nature, an important value in the Thai forest tradition.
It’s a place to really give your mind a break by soaking up the peacefulness of nature.
Chairs are positioned among flourishing hydrangeas and butterflies aplenty to face a spectacular view of the undulating Morton National Park.
Prah Mana sits facing the audience – perched cross-legged, in traditional robes, and with a ready smile and laugh – in front of the audience.
Sunnataram is visited by many Sydneysiders (many who are Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese), as well as the Southern Highlanders who know it’s tucked away in their backyard.
Image Credit: Kim McSweeney
5 :: Chokdee [good luck] is its resident cat
The monastery’s resident cat, Chokdee sometimes sits on Prah Mana’s lap during his talks – so cute!
And wise too, as Chokdee was born on an auspicious day: the full moon of May 2014, the same date as Buddha’s enlightenment!
Image Credit: Kim McSweeney
6 :: Sunnataram was impacted by the 2020 bushfires
As the Black Summer fires approached Sunnataram, the monks evacuated and stayed with Kim McSweeney at her Moss Vale home.
Sadly, the fires destroyed a series of meditation huts and water tanks, but about 50 to 60 firefighters worked hard to save the monastery’s main buildings.
Wombats and other wildlife sought refuge in unburnt parts of the property, which is beautifully documented on the Sunnataram website.
Image Credit: Kim McSweeney
7 :: The Monastery is recovering well from the bushfires
It’s been a slow and steady recovery process for Sunnataram, but they enjoyed plenty of support from the Salvation Army, the Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong, and lots of generous donations of money and materials from people in the Australian Thai Forest Monastery community.
Like most bushfire-affected properties across the country, they’re facing some unexpected challenges in getting DA approvals.
Yet they’re practising patience and working through all of the requirements to protect the local ecology and wildlife, including a portion of Sydney’s water catchment area.
It’s getting there and looking amazing!
Image Credit: Kim McSweeney
8 :: The monks encourage recycling and environmental protection
The Sunnataram monks have chosen to live a life of poverty, and this comes with a heightened interest in protecting the few resources they have access to.
They maximise the use of all things to help climate change.
They lovingly transformed large rounds of bushfire-affected tree trunks into new forms: gorgeous tabletops and seats, with dry flowers sealed with resin into some of their surfaces.
Learn more about Buddhist environmental ethics here.
9 :: The monks are experts in navigating isolation
An important part of training to become a monk involves going into isolation for weeks at a time: no talking to anyone!
This is normal practice for them, and this is something we can all learn from, particularly as we’re all navigating lockdowns and periods of isolation. They were well and truly prepared!!
Theravada encourages the calming of the mind, working to become the eye of the storm, so that we can find our way back to vipassana, ‘clear seeing’ or ‘insight’.
10 :: Locals are welcome to connect with Sunnataram
Sunnataram is open to the public on most Sundays, depending on lockdowns, so visit their website regularly for the most up-to-date info.
From 10am to 12pm, you can attend a guided meditation and Buddhist talk. You can then stay for a vegetarian lunch, prepared by Sunnataram volunteers.
Once you’ve enjoyed the yummy food, you can join the monks for a tour of the monastery garden, and then stay to help them work around the monastery.
Image Credit: Kim McSweeney
The Southern Highlands is incredibly lucky to be home to one of the few Thai forest monasteries in Australia.
And so many locals don’t even know it’s here.
We absolutely recommend a visit to Sunnataram Forest Monastery [especially in our current wild wild world – the perfect place to find some calm].
It’s appointment only attendance at the moment – email sunnata@bigpond.com to register to attend – masks and proof of being double vaxxed is required and, of course stay home if you are feeling unwell.
Image Credit: Kim McSweeney
