Bhante Sujato’s upcoming talk at the Buddhist Library on the Buddha’s first sermon promises to be enlightening and inspiring for all attendees. He will share the profound story of the Buddha’s enlightenment and how he conveys his teachings to his first disciples. Known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, or the “Turning of the Wheel of Dharma,” this sermon introduces the Four Noble Truths—the reality of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path to its cessation. Bhante Sujato will emphasize that these teachings offer practical wisdom for living a meaningful life. His discussion is expected to resonate deeply with the audience, highlighting how Buddhism provides a path to understanding and peace amidst life’s challenges.

Teacher profile

Bhante Sujato is an Australian Theravada Buddhist monk ordained in Thailand in 1994. He played in a rock band called Martha’s Vineyard for many years before joining an intensive Buddhist retreat in Thailand, which introduced him to the Buddha’s teachings. Besides spending 3 years in the Bodhinyana monastery with Ajahn Brahm, he lived for several years in remote hermitages and caves in Thailand and Malaysia.

Bhante Sujato has taught the Dhamma and meditation to audiences in Australia and internationally, including in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the USA, Germany, Norway, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and has spoken at several major international Buddhist conferences and events.

Bhante Sujato is well known for his articulate support for the fully ordained Bhikkhuni lineage. A special field of interest is the role of women in Buddhism, particularly the revival of the Bhikkhuni order within the Theravada tradition. As well as being a meditator and teacher, Bhante Sujato is a scholar of early Buddhism, with several books and essays of original and groundbreaking research.

Bhante helped to establish the Santi Forest Monastery in Bundanoon, where he was abbot for many years. He contributes to Buddhism in Australia through a variety of forums, including the Australian Sangha Association, Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils, Australia Partnership of Religious Organisations, Australian Association of Buddhist Councillors and Psychotherapists, Australian Association of Buddhist Studies, and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.

Bhante Sujato is also the founder of SuttaCentral.net.

All Sessions are by Donation (Dana) to the Buddhist Library. All donations to the Buddhist Library of $2 and over are tax deductible.

Dana is the traditional practice of generosity, the extending of one’s goodwill, which is fundamental to Buddhism and other spiritual traditions. The dana you give is shared equally with the teacher and the Buddhist Library. This helps to maintain the Library and supports the teacher so that they may offer more teachings on the Dhamma in the future. It is up to each person to determine the amount of dana they’d like to offer. We understand that this is a difficult time financially for many, and people will give what they can. An appropriate dana can’t be prescribed but requires sensitivity to its intent and to the individual’s own situation, as well as awareness of the cost of organising events and supporting teachers who spread the Dhamma.