What happens during an ordination service for nine Buddhist monks? Our correspondent goes to find out.
Luang Por Kalyano and other monks receive alms from the community during the ordination day. Photo: Bodhipala Monastery.
Have you ever seen monks walking quietly along Randell Street in Mannum on a Wednesday morning, carrying large bowls in silence?
They’re from the local Bodhipala Monastery.
But what are they doing – and how might you get involved, if you’re curious?
Recently, Bodhipala Monastery – tucked quietly in the bushland about 25 minutes’ drive from Mannum – hosted its first-ever full ordination ceremony.
It was a deeply spiritual and historic moment for South Australia’s Buddhist community.
The event was held on Asalha Puja, one of the most sacred days in the Buddhist calendar, marking the Buddha’s first teaching.
On this day, nine men were ordained as bhikkhus, or monks, for the traditional Vassa, or Rains Retreat: a three-month period of focused meditation and study.
What is the Rains Retreat?
The Rains Retreat began centuries ago as a time for monks to stay in one place during the rainy season, avoiding harm to crops and insects.
It’s a period of deep spiritual practice: of pausing, reflecting, and going inward.
This ordination was especially significant because Bodhipala Monastery was recently authorised by the Thai Sangha, or monastic council, to conduct ordinations – one of only a few monasteries in Australia.
This recognition is a major milestone in the monastery’s development.
Ordination candidates meditate with Ajahn Nyanadipo. Photo: Bodhipala Monastery.
The event was guided by Luang Por Kalyano, a senior disciple of Ajahn Chah and founder of the Buddha Bodhivana Monastery in Victoria.
As Bodhipala’s guiding teacher, he delivered a moving dhamma talk and offered blessed wrist strings, sai sin, to all who attended.
“We are honouring the abbot here, Ajahn Nyanadipo, who has received a new title from the King of Thailand and the Sangha of Thailand,” Luang Por Kalyano said.
“He has also been granted the title of Upajjhāya, or preceptor – someone authorised to ordain new monks – so today we are honouring two things.
“This honorary title means ‘gaining enlightened knowledge in foreign lands’, a recognition from both the King and the Sangha of Thailand.
Followers celebrate the recent ordination. Photo: Bodhipala Monastery.
Bodhipala Monastery traced its roots back to Thailand, he said, and to his teacher Ajahn Chah, whose monastery he had the privilege of ordaining at while his teacher was still alive.
Later, Luang Por Kalyano was invited to establish a monastery in Melbourne; and from there, with faith and generosity, Bodhipala was born.
“The way we are honouring this today is by everyone coming together to express what we call muditā: joy in others’ happiness” he said.
“With the ordination of nine new monks, this is a very auspicious occasion.
“The number nine, in Thai, symbolises progress.
“It’s clearly a sign of progress – steady progress – for the monastery.”
Words: Zhen Pu
