Forgotten Pathways of Buddhism - Contacts with Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece with Phra Mana Viryarampo Abbot of Sunnataram Forest Monastery (2009).pdf

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FORGOTTEN PATHWAYS
OF BUDDHISM
CONTACTS WITH ANCIENT EGYPT AND ANCIENT GREECE
WITH PHRA MANA VIRIYARAMPO
Abbot of Sunnataram Forest Monastery
Bundanoon New South Wales Australia
Text and original photography by Jim McSweeney and friends
Publication of Sunnataram Forest Monastery © 2009
PHRA MANA VIRIYARAMPO
Abbot of Sunnataram Forest Monastery
Bundanoon New South Wales Australia
Venerable Phra Mana Viriyarampo was born in Bangkok, Thailand
and has over 20 years experience as a monk. He has travelled to
over 30 countries to spread the teachings of Buddhism and
meditation, based on the practice and training he has undertaken
with highly respected teachers in Thailand and abroad.
Phra Mana was chosen for the prestigious position of Buddhist
Chaplin to the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Phra Mana is a prominent figure in the Buddhist community, and
continues to inspire and teach the Australian community through
Dhamma and meditation.
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FRONT COVER
Phra Mana at Luxor Temple
SUNNATARAM FOREST MONASTERY
SUNNATARAM FOREST MONASTERY
Abbot : Venerable Phra Mana Viriyarampo
13 Teudts Road Bundanoon New South Wales Australia
Postal address : PO Box 67 Bundanoon NSW 2576 Australia
ph : +612 4884 4262 fax : +612 4884 4496
web :
www.sunnataram.org
email :
sunnata@bigpond.com
Sunnataram Forest Monastery is a Theravadan Buddhist monastery in the Thai
forest monastery tradition.
The monastery was established in July 1990. It is situated on the outskirts of the
town of Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands, and covers an area of about 100
acres of bushland, hills and cliffs. The monastery faces east and the breathtaking
view of the mountainous Kangaroo Valley, with the beautiful coastline of Jervis
Bay on the horizon, and welcomes the sunrise emerging from the ocean and a sea
of clouds. Because of its panoramic exposure, the site of the monastery is
considered by many Feng Shui masters to have one of the best Feng Shui aspects in
Australia. With its famous clean mountain air and immense energy from Mother
Nature, the monastery is the perfect place for meditation.
Weekend retreats are held on one weekend of each month, and longer retreats are
held at other times each year, usually during the normal holiday seasons.
In 2003 Phra Mana commenced construction of the Gratitude Pagoda at the
monastery. The pagoda is 20 metres high and is in the style of the ancient pagodas
of northern Thailand. It is constructed of sandstone, with much of the sandstone
coming from the local Bundanoon quarry. Construction work on the pagoda itself is
nearing completion, but will continue for some time on the surrounding cloisters
and pavilions.
Following a pilgrimage to India in 2007, Phra Mana decided to establish a
permanent exhibition, including a topographical map illustrating the early history
and spread of Buddhism, and a small scale copy of the Ashoka Pillar with the Four
Lion Capital. During a pilgrimage to Egypt, Greece and India in 2008, further items
for the exhibition were collected. The topographical map has been completed, and
the Ashoka Pillar has been erected and was dedicated on 16 November 2008.
These projects were all inspired by Phra Mana’s desire to spread the knowledge of
Buddhist history and the teachings of the Buddha, and to express his gratitude for
the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha.
Looking east from the Shrine Room
Gratitude Pagoda in the early morning mist
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SUNNATARAM FOREST MONASTERY
SUNNATARAM FOREST MONASTERY
Dedication of the Ashoka Pillar at Sunnataram – 16 November 2008
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Ashoka Pillar, topographical map and sculpture garden with the
walking meditation pathway under construction – May 2009
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