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This selection of images is to be included in the published history as a series of photographic plates. It has been assembled from various sources including scrapbooks retained by the Wat, a scrapbook belonging to Laurence Khantipalo Mills and the collections of several people.

There is an obvious imbalance in the available material with a rich record for first decade; the later decades are by comparison poorly represented. There must be images in private hands other than the few people who have provided them. Photographs used in the newsletter have generally not survived.

Original colour print images have been rendered in grayscale for the purpose of reproduction.

A History of Wat Buddha Dhamma 1978 - 2008

Dhamma Pioneers

Photographs

Version of December 2020

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The arrival of two monks, Phra Khantipalo and Phra Patyavarti in May 1973, to establish a Thai temple in Sydney. Photographer Antonin Cermak. By permission, Fairfax Media..

The old sala, about 1979. Left to right: David, Phra Sudassano, Phra Khantipalo, Gary Read, Ilsa Ledermann, Liz Oski and baby Daniel, Graham (visitor) and Jim (Wat gardener) seated in front.

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Main meal in the top house, about 1979. Ilse Ledermann (far left), Phra Khantipalo and unknown novice, Cynthia Rees, at right, unknown others and Liz Oski and baby Daniel.

The Wat community about 1980. Left to right: Brigid Lowry (Field) and baby Sambodhi, Kyle and Mavis Field, Cynthia Rees and Holly Ansett, at rear Alfred Looman and others unknown.

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An important occasion, about 1980, Tan Chao Khun Samai presiding, Ayya Khema at left and Phra Khantipalo at right, with many supporters from Sydney ethnic communities present.

Some children of the Wat, about 1981. From left: Val Ansett, Arun Looman, Sambodhi Field, Brigid Lowry, Nicholas Cowham, Holly Ansett and Daniel Devananda.

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Phra Khantipalo at the Wat in the early years. Clockwise from top left: With carved Eka citta sala sign; on almsround with novice Nimallo; planting the Bodhi tree with Ilse Lederman looking on, about 1979; seated for the main meal in the top house.

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An early Ayya Khema retreat, January 1980, in the newly built first sala.

Working group, about 1981 with Phra Khantiplao. John Field is third from left, Alfred Looman stands next to Khantipalo and novice Nimallo (Ewan Gemmell).

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Phra Khantipalo in the early years. Clockwise from top left: With Ajahn Sumedho (right); in the old sala; Arun Looman offering food on almsround; the ordination of three nuns, 1984.

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A Dhamma talk in the bush. Phra Khantipalo and followers about 1981.

The Wat community and visitors around the time of the construction of the new sala in 1988.

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Tibetan lamas visiting about 1984. At left, Phra Vissudhicara and novice Nimallo (Ewan Gemmell).

John Field building a rammed earth house, about 1984

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The tenth anniversary celebration, 1988. Elisabeth Gorski (later Ayya Nirodha) makes an offering of flowers to Ayya Khema and Phra Khantipalo.

Phra Khantipalo and Ayya Khema at the dedication of the new sala, 1988. Source: Rob Cunneen

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Lunch dana in the pavilion, monastics and visitors, possibly at the tenth anniversary cel-ebration, 1988. Phra Khantipalo is seated upper centre.

Dedication of the Burmese stupa, 1985. From left, Tom, Sayadaw Nilanda, Dr David Gilpen with relics, Ed Winston, Candima (centre), Robbie Westley, Sheree Novak, Rein-hardt Pfingst, and seated Gavin Cusack and Jhana Hale. Source: Janie Maclay

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The construction of the new sala in 1988, winching into position of the prefabricated integral roof trusses.

The interior of the new sala.

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The office and bookshop, with Vicki Forscutt, about 1986. The bookshop was an impor-tant source of income for many years.

Good Khamma Weekend, circa 1994. Back, from left: Trevor Slaven, Maggie Lane, Bri-an Stansfield, Santithito, Gus Reale, Nick Ward, unknown, Romano, David Hart,. Front: Liz Looman (Oski), Claudia Grab, Janine Leake and baby, Alfred Looman, Geoff Hooper (seated).

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Ajahn Viradhammo retreat, probably 1994. Anja Tactor, extreme left., with others identified who include Trevor Slaven, Liz Oski, Bruce Chatfield, Brian Stansfield, Geoff Hooper and Claudia Grab.

Anja Tactor retreat, about 1996. Anja Tactor, resident teacher (front centre). Others identified elsewhere include Bruce Chatfield, Trevor Slaven, Brian Stansfield and Geoff Hooper.

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Board of Directors, Buddha Dhamma Foundation Limited, about 1998. From left: Trevor Slaven, Graeme Lyall, Chao Khun Samai (Phra Rajsilaporn), Brian Stansfield and Claudia Grab. Source: Trevor Slaven.

Ayya Khema retreat, February 1996. Trevor Slaven and Gus Real, seated front left, Brian Stansfield at centre rear. Some 35 people attended this much anticipated ten-day retreat. Source: Trevor Slaven

Source: Trevor Slaven

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Bhante Tejadhammo retreat about 2001.

Chi Kwang Sunim retreat, about 1996.

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Kitchen and office complex, designed by Rena Czaplinska.