The Auckland Theravada Buddhist Association (ATBA) has been established since 1980. It is part of an international group of Buddhist monasteries that takes its lineage from the Thai Forest Tradition. It is a multi-ethnic, non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving and practising the teachings of the Buddha (the Dhamma). In the spirit of mutual generosity (dana), there is no charge for any of the teachings or services provided.

Thai Forest Tradition

The Thai Forest tradition is a branch of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, also known as the Southern School of Buddhism, present throughout Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Laos, and Cambodia. The Theravāda tradition is grounded in the discourses recorded in the Pāli Canon, the oldest Buddhist scriptures. Theravāda literally means “the Doctrine of the Elders” and is named so because of its scrupulous adherence to the original teachings and rules of monastic discipline expounded by the Buddha.

The Thai Forest tradition strictly upholds the original monastic rules of discipline laid down by the Buddha and strongly emphasizes meditative practice and the realization of enlightenment as the focus of monastic life.

The City Vihara

​In November 1979, a New Zealand monk, Bhikkhu Uppanno (currently known as Ajahn Munindo), returned to Auckland after some years in Thailand at a forest monastery. During his stay here, he attended to the spiritual needs of Asian and Western Buddhists in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and other places. He encouraged the setting up of a centre where visiting monks could stay over, permanent monks could live and the lay community grow in the Buddha Dhamma by contact with the monks and their own practices of dana, sila, puja and meditation.

To this end, the Auckland Theravada Buddhist Association (ATBA) was established in 1980. Two years later, in 1982, urged on further by Phra Khantipalo who was visiting from Wat Buddha Dhama, Sydney, ATBA acquired the present property at 29 Harris Road, which became New Zealand’s first working Theravada Buddhist temple. Situated on a section approximately a quarter acre in size, it was built about 60 years prior, on the rocks of the nearby volcano, Mt Wellington.

Presently, the property has two buildings, the original weatherboard house which has undergone major renovation, and secondly, the Shrine Room and meeting hall. The main building provides living space for bhikkhus and an attendant, community space for lay people, essential facilities and children’s classrooms. The Sunday School has been active at the Vihara since the start, being an important objective of the constitution. A variety of individuals took on responsibilities to run it, the longest serving being Benita Ameratunga.

The Shrine Room, converted from what was originally a garage and workshop, is lined and carpeted, with an altar alcove at one end. It seats over 50 people. The community meets here for regular weekly puja, meditation and dhamma talks. The Buddha image presiding over the shrine room was made and donated by renowned Sri Lankan sculptor, the Ven M Vipulasara Thera. Arrangements for its making were handled by Dr N Amarasinghe, who was able to personally take delivery of it in Sri Lanka. It was officially handed over during Sister Khema’s visit, and a special puja was conducted for its installation and to mark the end of its long journey.

The grounds have many native plants and fruit trees, including feijoas, a kiwi-fruit vine, a persimmon and a fruiting cherry.  The native plantings were started at the direction of Phra Khantipalo, who also laid out a garden plan to fit our Buddhist ideals. To this day, the Bodhi tree is one of the biggest attractions to the Vihara, the tree of enlightenment to which many visitors pay homage. It was a sapling donated to the ATBA by a Frank Blom, who brought the seeds from the Anuradhapura bodhi tree and nurtured the growth to about 4 feet. It was then blessed and planted by Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Viradhammo. In 2024, a major project was undertaken to provide wheelchair access to the Bodhi tree and improve the aesthetics of the garden.

We hope the Vihara will long be the permanent base for the Theravada Dhamma in New Zealand.

Vimutti Monastery

The monastery is set amongst the rolling Bombay Hills south of Auckland. The property, 144 acres of undulating farmland, was bought in 2000 and developed over the years into a forested sanctuary for dhamma practice. It stands today beautiful, lush and green, offering an oasis of tranquillity to those who need a getaway from a hurried life, and space for quiet reflection. Nestled amongst canopies of regenerated trees and vegetation, including hundreds of native trees and bushes, are meditation halls, kutis and ponds, as well as dozens of meditation paths and hidden tracks into nature.

The monastery is intended to be a place of abode for Buddhist monks, predominantly of the Thai Forest Tradition, to follow a lifestyle laid down by the Buddha. By walking a path of sensual restraint, dedicated to devoted study, deep reflection and resolute practice of the Buddha’s teachings, the resident sangha becomes an inspiring example and a source of teaching to the lay community.

Furthermore, the monastery offers many opportunities for lay practitioners to develop and grow on that path. Through practices of offering daily alms food and requisites to the monks, and contributing energy to support the monastery’s activities, we practise dana. On meditation retreats, we interact with and live together with fellow lay practitioners, observing sila (right speech, right action) as the foundation of our conduct, whilst practising bhavana (mind training). Other regular activities at the monastery like Open Days, Pujas, Meditation Workshops and Working Bees are equally valuable opportunities for the community to come together to refresh and deepen our practice.

In essence, a monastery is a place of significance in the life of Buddhists when it creates the right environment and conditions for the growth of the lay and monastic community.

Over the years, gradual improvements have been made to the monastery facilities in order to better support the needs of the sangha and lay residents. If you would like to support these efforts, you can find out more about ongoing projects here.

ATBA is grateful to be able to offer Vimutti Monastery to support the needs of the sangha and lay practitioners.

Committee Members

The ATBA is governed by a Committee that is elected once a year. Below are our current Committee Members:

  • Edward Dawson (Vice President)
  • Freddie Abeysekera (Secretary)
  • John Hibbs
  • Luckana Hyde
  • Murray Hyde
  • Nathan Bitting
  • Priscilla Dawson (Treasurer)
  • Rajah Gooneratne
  • Rajeeva Gooneratne
  • Richmand Wee
  • Ropru Rangsivek
  • Tharindu Denuwara
  • Toni Fernando
  • Wajira Dassanayake (President)
  • Woon Foong Lum