Amaravati Buddhist Monastery

Apr 12th, 2023

Little disappointed in the free meditation workshop The guy hosting the class wasn't prepared couldn't answer majority of questions the session mainly consisted of him talking about him self also made a inappropriate comment about scum bags which is a poor chose of wording. I felt 95% of the audience was vunrable people Honestly I think they deserved better my overall experience lack of knowledge from the teacher..poor chose of wording and self serving I understand the class is free but atleast put someone in with prior experience so it doesn't put off the new comers I hope this feedback finds you well
Mar 31st, 2023

Mar 29th, 2023

Absolutely serene place for spiritual practice. Conducive to successful meditation practice. Beautiful peaceful place. Need to observe holy place customs as a way maintaining serenity.
Mar 20th, 2023

I've visited this monastery since its inception, when it was but a muddy field. Over the years its deteriorated in the spiritual dimension. It is now quite a vast complex. The woods opposite are quite lovely. However, the community lacks any warmth or welcome. There is a sense of dissatisfaction among the ordained sangha. The Saturday talks are often utter jibberish. And the lay community affiliated with it wander around like petty admin guards. During a group meeting, the chairman called Martin ran a discussion group like an AA meeting. Where people speak but no one can respond. So it is that they will only talk at you, not with you. That is not a sangha. It's a cult. In his mind Martin is the only true Buddha. A minor bureacrat is more like it. In the 21st century it is very patriarcal, the monks can eat first, from senior to novice, before any nun! The head monk Amaro, is rather camp and speaks or hums in a strange tone, looking always lost and bemused. He loves talking though and drones on. Many monks have been passive aggressive, when asked anything. I have never met a nice monk or nun there. The library is very nice indeed, old with tonnes of books. However, there is no help available, much like the rest of the place. Where they try their best to avoid you. Western superiority complex doesn't mix with an ancient eastern religion.
Mar 10th, 2023