Introduction
Ajahn Dhammasiha is a senior monk within the Thai Forest Tradition, known for his deep scholarly knowledge of the Suttas (the Buddha’s original discourses) and his commitment to the rigorous meditative life of the forest lineage. With a background that spans European academia, Sri Lankan forest training, and the Thai-Australian monastic community, he offers a teaching style that is intellectually rigorous yet profoundly practical.
From Corporate Culture to the Dhammapada
Born in West Germany in 1966, Ajahn Dhammasiha’s early life was centered on academic and professional pursuits. After serving in the German armed forces and completing his studies in Business Administration in West Berlin, he embarked on a PhD project focused on "Indian Corporate Culture."
It was during his field research in India in 1994 that he encountered the Dhammapada. This ancient collection of the Buddha's sayings resonated so deeply with him that he described it as a "true revelation," prompting him to pivot from a corporate career toward the path of renunciation.
Monastic Foundations: Sri Lanka and the Vinaya
In 1995, he took ordination in Sri Lanka under the guidance of Most Ven. Pandita K. Sri Jinavarisa. He spent three formative years at Nissarana Vana (Meetisigala), one of Sri Lanka’s most respected forest monasteries. This period was dedicated to:
Solitary Practice: Developing deep concentration and mindfulness in a secluded forest environment.
Meticulous Vinaya: Mastering the traditional monastic code of discipline, which remains a cornerstone of his practice today.
Integration into the Thai Forest Tradition
In 1998, Ajahn Dhammasiha moved to Australia to train within the lineage of Ajahn Chah. He spent significant time at Bodhinyana Monastery in Perth and Vimokkharam Forest Hermitage in Melbourne.
During his training in Australia, he had the rare opportunity to receive direct teachings from some of the most revered meditation masters of the Thai Forest Tradition, including Luang Por Tui and Luang Por Plien. These influences helped him synthesize the strict discipline of the Sri Lankan tradition with the profound meditative insights of the Thai masters.
Establishing Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage
In 2007, Ajahn Dhammasiha accepted an invitation to Brisbane to help establish a forest monastery for the local community. Under his guidance, Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage was established as a sanctuary for those seeking silence and spiritual growth.
As the Abbot, he has worked tirelessly to create a "forest" environment in the Brisbane hinterlands where monastics and laypeople alike can practice the Dhamma in its traditional form.