Sunyata Buddhist Centre

Ajahn Vajiro’s visiting Sunyata

We are delighted to welcome to Sunyata Ajahn Vajiro, abbot of Sumedharama Monastery in Portugal. Ajahn Vajiro will be staying with us from 25th until 30th of July. Ajahn Vajiro as a leader of Sumedhārāma is effectively the spiritual director of the one year trial of running Sunyata Centre as a subbranch of Sumedhārāma.

During Ajahn’s stay he will be available to meet the guests around the meal times. You are welcome to bring a dish to offer for the daily meal and meet with Ajahn. This is an excellent opportunity for the Sunyata community to take part in some Dhamma teachings.

Events During the Visit:

Evening Puja and Dhamma Talk — Friday, July 25th at 7:00 PM
Meditation Workshop — Sunday, July 27th from 2:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Ajahn Vajiro was born in Malaysia and earned a degree in Economics. In 1977, a meeting with Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho at the Hampstead Vihara inspired him to pursue monastic life. He joined the community in London and was fully ordained by Ajahn Chah in Thailand in 1980.

He returned to England and helped establish Amaravati Buddhist Monastery. Over the years, Ajahn Vajiro has taught and supported monasteries in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, including co-founding Vimokkhara Monastery in Melbourne in 1998.

Ajahn Vajiro has led the Sumedhārāma community since he arrived in Portugal in 2012.

About the Sunyata

Sunyata Buddhist Centre is a based on a 10 acre property in rural County Clare. For a one year trial period, starting in July 2025, the centre is being run as a subbranch of Sumedhārāma Monastery, with Ajahn Vajiro as the spiritual director. During this time there will be monastics resident at the centre.

Sunyata Centre is inspired by the Thai Forest tradition of Buddhism particularly the lineage of Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho, who opened our Dhamma hall in July 2000. Since 1998 the centre has been offering residential retreats and a wide variety of other events to those who wish to learn about Buddhism, mindfulness and meditation. It also welcomes people to come and stay to sample spiritual community life. People of all faiths or none are equally welcome at Sunyata.

We hope that the benefits of Dhamma can be available to all who choose to visit.

Regular events

Daily meditations (pujas) and regular meditation workshops are taking place at Sunyata.

Visiting and volunteering

Spend time on our grounds in solitude or as part of our regular community activities for a few hours or for the day. You can also volunteer and stay overnight (prearrangement needed).

Donations

At Sunyata Buddhist Centre, we appreciate any help towards the day-to-day running of the centre.

All those involved give of their time, energy, and dedication on a voluntary basis. We do our best to keep the running costs of the centre to a minimum so that the suggested donations for events and retreats can also be kept to a minimum.

With gratitude from all at Sunyata.

Online donations are accepted with debit or credit card

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