Blue Mountains
Insight Meditation Centre
Medlow Bath, NSW
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A
History of the Centre
and
the Buddha Sasana Association of Australia
| 1981 | People who became interested in the Mahasi style of vipassana meditation as a result of their travels in Asia form a group in Sydney. |
| 1982 | First group sits held in Sydney. Joseph Goldstein invited to lead two retreats in May & June at Wat Buddha Dhamma and Bodhi Farm (50 participants). |
| 1983 | The informal group, now calling itself the Buddha Dhamma Insight Meditation Society (BDIMS) organises group sits in Sydney and formal retreats led by overseas teachers. |
| 1984 | Retreats of 10 days led by Joseph Goldstein & Alan Clements in February and March at Wat Buddha Dhamma, Wiseman's Ferry. |
| 1985 | Difficulty in booking teachers from IMS in America because of a growing worldwide demand. Links established with the Mahasi Meditation Centre in Rangoon. In November 1985 BDIMS sponsors Sayadaw U Pandita to lead a 28 day retreat at Kerever Park in Burradoo near Bowral. |
| 1986 | The association changes its name to Buddha Sasana Association of Australia (BSA) and decides to purchase a property for a permanent home. Temporary use of Chris & Tara MacLachlan's home "Minhaven" in Blackheath for enable weekend retreats to be held. The two major retreats in 1986 held at Kerever Park by Joseph & Sharon Salzberg and Sayadaw U Lakkhana. |
| 1987 | Focus of weekend activities moves from Blackheath to Elizabeth Gorski's Bundanoon property, as more suitable for small retreats. Major retreats in 1987 at Kerever Park led by Alan Clements (10 days) and Steve Smith & Michelle McDonald (20). |
| 1988 | Search for a suitable site for a Centre resumed. Purchase of 25 Rutland Rd Medlow Bath by Chris & Tara MacLachlan and its transfer to BSA on very generous terms. Clearing and renovation of property. Changes to membership of BSA. Several major retreats held at Kerever Park, led by Sayadaw U Pandita (6 weeks for 50 people) and Alan Clements (in April and November). |
| 1989 | Weekends one-day dhamma talks at Sasana House led by Sayadaw U Jaggara from the Burmese Vihara in Merrylands and Ven Pannyavaro. Reservations about the suitability of Sasana House as a retreat centre and search for a larger property in non-residential area. Megalong Valley site selected but not proceeded with due to neighbours' objections. Decision to develop Sasana House as an official meditation centre. Donation of house by MacLachlans. Kerever Park retreats led by Joseph Goldstein & Sharon Salzberg, Steven Smith & Michelle McDonald and Alan Clements. |
| 1990 | Sayadaw U Jaggara continued dhamma talks. Regular group sittings every Thursday evening and Sunday morning. Long Kerever Park retreat led by U Pandita & U Pannadipa (2 months). |
| 1991 | Major renovations undertaken to convert Sasana House into a meditation centre (bathrooms, dining room). Sayadaw U Pandita asked to approve a resident monk, and Sayadaw U Pannathami selected. Last year of renting other centres for retreats, three shorter retreats in January led by Sayadaw U Pandita. |
| 1992 | Construction of dhamma hall. Donation of Buddha image by Leon Prollius. Sayadaw U Pannathami arrives in Australia. First major retreats held at Sasana House on a dana basis, mostly led by Sayadaw U Pannathami. |
| 1993 | BSA sponsors Sayadaw U Pannathami for permanent residence in Australia. Blue Mtns City Council approval of Development Application to use the property as a meditation centre. Preparation of building plans. |
| 1994 | Approval from the Environmental Protection Authority to install an Envirocycle septic system. Approval for both the DA and building plans granted. Adding of meditation hall verandahs, landscaping and construction of car parking spaces. Centre hosts its first retreat with Sayadaw U Pandita of 28 days. |
| 1995 | Work on the Envirocycle system, the Meditation hall and landscaping finally finished in October. Burmese food day held at the Centre on 5 November. Decision to charge people attending retreats for food and accommodation. Purchase of adjoining land, Lot 2 through many generous donations. |
| 1996 | Fundraising to repay the $50,000 owing on the land and to further develop the property continues. |