Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery & Vipassana Retreat Centre

Would like to compliment Paul on his post. He has sussed out this pseudo-monk perfectly. The man is a charlatan who has somehow managed to masquerade as a Buddhist monk in order to provide himself with a country estate to retire to.
I spent time there in early 2020 and managed to disagree with him over some trifle. Shortly after he ordered me off the property. When I refused he proceeded to scream at me and threaten me with the police. Really enlightened Buddhist behaviour.
Speaking with others in the Buddhist community, have found that he has consistently used and then abused volunteers, visitors and donors.

I went there as a volunteer for tree regeneration. The resident monk is the most controlling, arrogant, narcissistic person I have ever had the misfortune to meet. He doesn't even offer the retreats that were supposed to be running, he just scams money from the Buddhist community to provide a place for himself to live. A beautiful property that should be returned to the Buddhist
community.not a selfish narcissistic individual.furthermore I have just seen the reviews posted below. I really hope that this man can be removed.

Most of these reviews are over-rated, and negative reviews have been removed. There is a facade of a monastery, but the truth lies elsewhere, just as there is a facade of a monk and the truth being something other. Be warned, you may be disappointed with your experience of this shambala.

The "monk" who operates this facility isn't a bona fide buddhist yet alone spiritual practitioner, and promotes consumption of dead animals with circa 2000 arguments through twisting buddhist principles

You need to be vaccinated and provide vaxx info to sit 1.5meters away to meditate and get away from the controlling authorities society we have come to. And now spiritual centres with their policies trying to dictate and impose what it best for your health, no different to what is put there. Time for us to create our own meditation centres out in hidden gems of nature for free with infinite healing vibrations.

We have been visiting Bodhi Tree Monastery for several years. We have attended workshops and undertaken several mindfulness retreats. We have come to know Phra Pannyavaro for several years. Bodhi Tree Monastery is firmly based in the Theravada tradition and the teaching and practice is of a very high standard. We have visited many Buddhist monasteries in Australia and this place is a very special, sacred place and Pannya is a committed, faithful, vinaya observant Buddhist monk. Bodhi Tree Monastery is highly recommended and fully supported by the local Buddhist community. It is also a haven for people wishing to learn more about Buddhism and mindfulness practice. We are very privileged to have Bodhitree monastery and Pannya in our lives and practice. Noting other comments - please be respectful that Bodhi Tree Monastery is the home of Buddhist monks and all visitors should call first prior to visiting and not breach the peace and safety of this place.

Completed a 10 days vipassana retreat here, it's still very grass roots, but was such an amazing experience.

The reviews of Leonie Vanash & John Hancock have been reported to Google as inappropriate - whether they stand or are removed remains to be seen; they are both factually incorrect and are good examples of the sort of misinformed trolling that has the capacity to do substantive damage based on falsehood and ignorance.

If Hancock had taken the time to ascertain fact instead of posting fiction on a basis of emotive disturbance it wouldn't be necessary to comment.

'Horrid experience' he writes. Why? He entered a property and set off exploring it without bothering to stop by the office and introduce himself, he ignored basic social protocol, and then took umbrage when stopped by the monk at the other end of the property and asked what he was up to. He attempted to posit a natural right to explore the property, he said, "I'm a buddhist", as if that gives a right to wander over a property unannounced.

He referred, with an impressive leap into magical thinking, to the monk's Mercedes. That vehicle, which he saw parked next to the house at the front of the property, belonged to a visitor staying at the house and doing a short-term retreat. In a similar vein, he insinuated that the monk is merely on about making money, again, another eruction plucked out of thin air. The monk, to be accurate, drives a 30 year old Landcruiser, has very little money of his own, solicits donations as do all Buddhist organisations and monasteries, is committed to a vision of developing a first-class meditation centre and more.

Hancock would have known none of this. Instead, like so many today, once his corns were trodden on, and deservedly so for his ignorant assumption that he had a right to explore the property unannounced and then his arrogant rejection of having erred when confronted, resorts to an ad hominen attack filled with lies, falsehoods and ignorance.

So much for his buddhism, vis-a-vis mindfulness and consideration.

And as for Leonie Vanash, with her depth of ignorance on display to the world, a mindless echo chamber spouting idiocies, knowing nothing, knee-jerking in reactive stupidity.how often do people react these ways, totally in the wrong but pig-headedly determined to plough on regardless.

Neither of these people know the monk, his mission, his reputation, his regard among the international Buddhist community, the esteem he has gained over many years of work; yet they both felt qualified to do an ad hominen attack on him and his character.

Let their behaviour stand, their posts stand, as testament to the febrile stupidity on display.

Horrid experience! Just moved to Lismore, saw that this pleCe was open on the website and was so excited to see it as we came back from Sri Lanka and thought how wonderful to have this near our new home. We were stopped by a Land Rover, the man pictured on website wearing the monks outfit aggressively park in front of us. We said hi with a smile and He was so rude and aggressive demanding why we were there and we should of called and made an appointment and waving his hands in a confrontational way, and we had our 7year old with us. We apologised and left.this experience just left us sick in the stomachache as this is how a wonderful practice from many beautiful countries are being represented. He had his new Mercedes there. He clearyis is just making money- he had a very evil vibe about him. Very disappointed another example of western people exploiting. Sad that so many people are blindly donating and Following him. He is defiantly a crook, probably why he wanted us to make a time so he could hide his Mercedes. Buddhism is not a bout money or fancy building and fancy cars!

I agree this man is dodgy and most certainly has everyone convinced. I am surprised how many people have blindly followed him given him money. He should be reported and further investigated. I mean really Buddhism is a peaceful loving caring practice thousand years old and this man is a true example of how one has taken it to the western world and made money from it - He is a scammer. If people in our society truly had respect for the culture it comes from then they would raise an eye brow with just the marketing on his website - why would you need marketing and big noting! My experience of him has not been very nice - Buddha would be pretty sad: (aggressive and rude man!

Bodhi Tree Monastery is a beautiful place offering Refuge and Retreat for those inclined towards wisdom and peace. Venerable Pannyavaro, the abbot has extensive experience in Mindfulness and Insight Meditation. His caring nature is felt both in his presence and in care of the forest - flora and fauna of Bodhi Tree Monastery. This place is a sanctuary and great offering to the community.