Our Spiritual Home
A school with a Guardian
Pal Buddhist School was founded by a Buddhist community, Dhamma Training Ground, which today serves as the school's Guardian. Dhamma Training Ground is a registered charity and a monastery-community of Early Buddhism in Canley Vale, at the same address as the school.
To protect, never to possess
As Guardian, Dhamma Training Ground does not manage the school. Teaching, staff, fees and enrolment are the school's own responsibility. Its role is to protect what makes PBS what it is: its Buddhist identity, its land and its continued existence. Any change to these needs the Guardian's consent, and a Guardian Report is published every year.
For a parent sending a child across the world, this matters: the values you choose today are protected for the years your child will spend with us.
Teaching from the root
Dhamma Training Ground teaches Early Buddhism: the Buddha's teaching as found in the Pali Canon, the oldest complete record of his words and the root of the Theravāda tradition practised in Cambodia. Teachings are always free. Following the Buddha's advice to the Kālāmas, everyone is invited to test the teaching in their own life.
Right roles
Monastics of the Sangha Council teach. They do not raise money, handle funds or administer the organisation. An elected lay Council governs. Generosity (dāna) is offered freely, with no suggested amounts.
What students and families can join
Weekend Dhamma Talks
Sundays 10 am to 12 pm. A teaching from the Pali Canon in plain language, questions, then tea. Free.
Children's Dhamma program
For ages 5 to 12, alongside the Sunday talk in school terms, teaching character as everyday skills. All coordinators hold working-with-children clearances.
Uposatha days
Twice each lunar month, precepts renewed and a longer sitting.
Study circles
Small groups reading the Canon together, by suburb and language. [is there a Khmer-language circle?]
Observances
Vesak, Asalha Puja, Vassa, Kathina and more.
A family of schools
Dhamma Training Ground is also Guardian of Pal International School in Siem Reap, PBS's brother school in Cambodia, and of Buddha Gyan Niketan School, a free residential school for children in Bodh Gaya, India, the land of the Buddha's awakening.
Monastic teachers are introduced on the Dhamma Training Ground website.