Mahamakut Ragawithayalai Foundation

Mahamakut Ragawithayalai Foundation is a charitable organisation established to support the practice and dissemination of Buddhism, particularly within the Australian Buddhist community. Rooted in a rich history dating back to its founding by King Rama the Fifth of Thailand, the foundation serves as a spiritual and cultural hub for Buddhists of diverse ethnic backgrounds, providing a place of worship, education, and community connection.

Mission and Vision

The foundation’s mission is to propagate Buddhist teachings and provide spiritual refuge for all Buddhists regardless of ethnic origin. It aims to foster goodwill and religious ties with local communities and to maintain Buddhist culture and traditions among migrants. The vision is to establish a firm foundation for the practice of Buddhism in Australia, supporting both laypeople and those wishing to become monks, while promoting harmony and understanding across diverse cultural groups.

Main Objectives

• Enhance goodwill and religious ties with local religions.
• Propagate Buddhist teachings to those interested.
• Provide a place of worship and spiritual refuge for Buddhists of all ethnicities.
• Establish facilities for Buddhist ordination and practice.
• Disseminate and maintain Buddhist culture and traditions for migrants.
• Offer religious support to Thai students and the wider Buddhist community.

Benefiting Groups

The foundation primarily benefits Buddhist communities in Australia, including adults, children, and elderly people from diverse ethnic backgrounds such as Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan, Laotian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Singaporean, and Australian-born Buddhists. It also supports monks and novices by providing training and ordination facilities.

Services and Activities

• Places of worship and monasteries where devotees can engage in meditation, chanting, and religious ceremonies.
• Educational programs including meditation classes, Dharma talks, and Buddhist cultural events.
• Monthly Dana offerings where laypeople offer food and necessities to monks, fostering generosity and community spirit.
• Celebration of Buddhist festivals such as Vesak (Buddha Day), Magha Puja, Songkran (Thai New Year), and Kathina (robe offering ceremony).
• Pastoral care including wedding blessings, funeral services, and visits to the sick and needy.
• Provision of library resources with Buddhist scriptures and literature accessible to the public.
• Support for multicultural engagement through interfaith dialogue and community outreach.