Buddhist monastery in Perth expelled for ordaining female monk

The expulsion took effect since Monday after the council had ruled to cancel the monastery's status as a branch of Wat Nongpapong in Ubon Ratchathani.

All Thai Buddhist monasteries abroad are sanctified by maintaining the linkage with one of the mother temples in Thailand.

Acting in defiance of the Supreme Patriarch's prohibition, Phra Wisutthi Sangwornthera, the abbot of the Pearth monastery, acted as the preceptor to ordain a Bhikkhuni, the female monk unrecognised by the Thai branch of Theravada Buddhism.

In retaliation, the council cut loose the monastery but stopped short of excommunicating the abbot.

Phra Wisutthi, also known as Bhramavanso Mahathera, is a British national and a graduate of Cambridge University. Following his ordination in late 1960s, he received the training in meditation by the late ajahn Chah Mahathera at Wat Nongpapong.

The expulsion of the Perth monastery is seen as a stern warning for the growing call for bringing women into monkhood.