Bodhinyanarama

It was founded in 1985. It is a monastic residence of the Theravada tradition of Buddhism set in a 51 hectare Native Reserve of History
Bodhinyanarama is associated with the many branch monasteries of Venerable Ajahn Chah (1918-1992). In his home province in north-eastern Thailand, Ajahn Chah inspired many westerners by the simplicity of the traditional monastic lifestyle and by his clarity, wisdom, and compassionate humour. In 1977 he was invited to England by the English Sangha Trust to investigate the possibility of establishing a monastic presence in Britain. Finding the reception favorable he left his most senior western disciple, Ajahn Sumedho, and three other monks to establish a monastic community, first in London and later at Chithurst Monastery in West Sussex.
In 1982 Ajahn Sumedho visited New Zealand and was encouraged to send monks to establish a monastery near Wellington. A group of devoted Buddhists formed a charitable association and in 1985 invited two monks from the United Kingdom to live in New Zealand. A superb location, a thickly-wooded, easily accessible valley near Wellington was soon purchased. Since then, much energy and commitment by many people have created the beautiful buildings, gardens, and forest walks that comprise the monastery today.regenerating bush 29 kms from Wellington New Zealand.