Buddhist Society Of Malvern

Established in 1953, the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV) is the oldest Buddhist Teaching Centre in Australia.As well as offering a vibrant teaching program at the Buddhaloka Centre in East Malvern, in September 2014, monastics from the Buddhaloka Centre and from Sanghamittarama, our vihara for bhikkhunis, moved to the newly established Newbury Buddhist Monastery. NBM a beautiful 150 acre property at Newbury, about 100 kms north-west of Melbourne.On May 24th, 2015, Newbury Buddhist Monastery was officially opened by Ajahn Brahm, the spiritual adviser of the BSV.

About the BSV

Founded in 1953, the BSV is the oldest Buddhist Institution in Victoria.The Society aims to make available the Buddha’s teachings to the community, with special emphasis in the Theravada Tradition (The Way of the Elders) and to provide suitable facilities and support for monks and nuns.

Monks, nuns and lay teachers provide an invaluable service to the community by conducting meditation classes and talks free of charge at the BSV City Centre. Retreats are conducted both €œin-house€ and in country locations at minimal costs to participants.

In 2014 the BSV established a forest monastery for bhikkhus and bhikkhunis at Newbury, Victoria, and on May 24th, 2015, Newbury Buddhist Monastery was officially opened by Ajahn Brahm, the spiritual adviser of the BSV.

The activities of the BSV are organised by a Management Committee, which is comprised entirely of volunteers. Our free teaching programme is possible due to the support of the community by generous donations of their time and expertise as well as funds raised by membership fees and financial donations.

Meditation retreats

BSV conducts both “in-house” and residential meditation retreats. The “in-house” retreats are conducted at the our centre, Buddhaloka, 71 Darling Road, Malvern East. Residential retreats on the other hand, are conducted over 3 – 9 days and require participants to stay over in suitable accommodation within approximately 1 1/2 hours of Melbourne.

Most BSV retreats are conducted by monastics and are suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators interested in Buddhist practice. Retreats include periods of sitting and walking meditation, as well as Dhamma talks and meditation instruction from the teacher. During retreats, participants uphold the 8 precepts and noble silence, in order to cultivate a tranquil environment that is conducive to meditation.