Plum Village Australia

About Plum Village Australia – Mindfulness Practice in Bilpin

Plum Village Australia is a DGR-endorsed charity and monastic practice centre in the Plum Village Tradition, offering mindfulness meditation, Dharma talks, and community gatherings at Mountain Spring Monastery in Bilpin, New South Wales. Established in 2010 and registered with the ACNC since 2012, it serves lay practitioners, families, and individuals seeking refuge through structured mindfulness programs rooted in the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. The centre hosts a residential community of monks and nuns who guide participants in practices such as sitting meditation, walking meditation, and precept recitations.

Programs and Services

Mountain Spring Monastery provides regular Days of Mindfulness every Sunday, starting at 9:00 am with meditation classes, followed by walking meditation, Dharma talks or precept recitations (such as the Five Mindfulness Trainings on the first Sunday and Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings on the third), vegetarian mindful lunch, and afternoon activities like total relaxation or Dharma discussions, concluding around 3:30 pm. Offsite mindfulness retreats are also hosted periodically. Registration is required for all events, with spaces limited to maintain a supportive environment.

Community and Reach

The centre supports a growing residential sangha and connects with affiliated lay sanghas across New South Wales, including Spacious Hearts Sangha in the Blue Mountains, Lotus Bud Sangha in Camperdown, and online groups like Compassionate Ocean Sangha. It fosters awareness, understanding, harmony, and love through communal practice, welcoming visitors of all experience levels while upholding mindful conduct, including a dress code, silence on devices, and abstinence from intoxicants.

Get Involved

• Join as a member for $25 annually to access exclusive events and resources, supporting monastery operations.
• Attend public Days of Mindfulness on a donation basis; contribute via on-site boxes or donate to Plum Village Australia.
• Follow visitor guidelines, including bringing a plant-based dish to share and observing COVID-safe protocols.