Perched serenely on a hillside, overlooking lush greenery, Vihara BoonRaksā Forest Monastery (VBR) is the first monastery in Penang of the Dhammayut Forest Tradition, in the lineage of Phra Ajaan Sao Kantasilo and Phra Ajaan Mun Bhuridatto. Exuding an oasis of calm and tranquility, the Vihara is intended as a sanctuary for spiritual cultivation, serving both the monastic and lay communities. In accordance with the Buddha’s teachings on doing good, avoiding evil and purifying the mind, VBR is dedicated to provide a platform for lay devotees to practice diligently in cultivating Dana (generosity), Sila (moral conduct), and Bhavana (mental cultivation) – the three bases of meritorious deeds. The Buddha once expounded “Atta hi attano natho”, meaning we are our own refuge or protector, the master of our own destiny. Hence, it is important to cultivate the practice of meritorious actions, as the merits accrued will protect oneself, and give rise to supportive conditions in one’s journey towards Liberation. This is aptly reflected in the monastery’s Thai-inspired name “BoonRaksā”. Vihara BoonRaksā is an expression which means “a sanctuary that is nurtured by merits, cared for and protected by merits.”