Buddhist monastery in Perth expelled for ordaining female monk

The Sangha Supreme Council, the governing body for Thai Buddhist monks, has severed ties with Bodhinyana Monastery in Perth on the ground of violating a ban against the ordination of women.

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.

The Nation