New Patio Roof | Dhammagiri Main Building Project in 2026
Of all material donations, the Buddha taught that the building of a monastery for the sangha is generating the highest amount of good karma. To offer a monastic building to the sangha of the four quarters ('Vihāra-Dāna' / 'Ārāma Pūja') is of greater karmic fruit than even personally offering a meal to the bhikkhu-sangha headed by the Buddha himself.
"Yo ca buddhappamukhaṃ bhikkhusaṅghaṃ bhojeyya, yo ca cātuddisaṃ saṅghaṃ uddissa vihāraṃ kārāpeyya, idaṃ tato mahapphalataraṃ."
"Even more fruitful than providing a meal to the Bhikkhu-Sangha headed by the Buddha himself would it be to construct a monastic building dedicated to the Sangha of the four quarters"
(Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourses, Book of Nines #20)
We now have an opportunity to generate such great good karma by contributing to a substantial expansion of the monastery's main building: we plan to construct a large patio roof to cover the complete area in front of our Dhamma Hall.
This permanent structure will replace the temporary marquees and vastly expand the covered space to approximately 280 m².
We will use the 'Fly-Over' roof style design, to maximise ventilation, and to allow plenty of natural light to reach under the roof. Our intention is to cover the complete area in front of the Dhamma Hall, so the patio roof will shelter a much larger space than the existing marquees. The new roof made of 200 mm insolated panels will protect us from the Queensland sun and heat, provide shelter from rain, and create a comfortable, safe space for dhamma practice shielded from harsh environmental conditions, especially during major events.
Generous donations accumulated over previous years, plus major overseas contributions from Singapore and Malaysia last December, meant that we could start New Year 2026 with funds of $130k available for the project.
For Magha Puja 2026, we have conducted a Pha Pa Merit Making Cermony (Pinkama) on Sunday 1st March. Financial donations of $37,567.20 during that event alone were also dedicated to the Patio Roof Project.
In April we signed a contract with Trueline Patios for $178k (including GST, which we will be able to reclaim). This is by far the best quote we have received since last November, and includes 15 years workmanship garantee & 30 years corrosion garantee for the roof. We will have very strong 200 mm insulated roof panels and steel posts. All the extended effort we put in to find the best company did pay off, as this contract is some $30k less than our previous best offer, and we can now even reduce the target for our fundraiser from $250k to $220k.
On 22 July, the day after Ajahn Dhammasiha's return from his travels in Europe, we got notified that our building application has been approved 😊 Our contractor is therefore confident that we can start construction as planned right after the end of the rains retreat by 27 October, and then hopefully have the roof up for our Robe Offering Ceremony on Saturday 28 November.
There's also good news regarding funding: Donations have now (data from 1st August) reached $208k (=95%) out of the $220k target:
Anumodanā for your kind generosity, through your selfless acts of dāna we have already covered 95% of our expected expenses 3 months before completion of phase one of the project.
Idha modati pecca modati, katapuñño ubhayattha modati.
So modati so pamodati, disvā kamma-visuddhim-attano.
The ones who've done good deeds rejoice,
both now and in their next rebirth;
They're filled with boundless joy as they
experience their karmic purity themselves.
Dhammapada Verse #18
However, although the roof should be up and functional by end November, we won't be able to finish all associated works. The following will still need to be done as phase two of the project in 2027 (we estimate that our $220k donations should cover phase two as well):
Installation of eight large high-powered fans
Two Buddha statues in pediments of porticos, with artistic gable fretwork in background
Extension of the existing concrete slab in front of Dhamma Hall
Other minor associated works
Therefore, further donations to reach our $220k target are still most helpful and highly appreciated.
We will also dedicate all donations received at our Robe Offering Ceremony Sat 28 November for the patio roof project.
If you wish to contribute to this project, please click here and indicate 'Patio Cover' together with your donation. If you wish to get a receipt, please provide your name & email address.
Any excess will be used for future building projects. In particular, we will have to build an extension of monks facilities at the Dhammahall, to provide suitable accommodation for visiting senior monk. Currently, there's only one room with ensuite available, and this same room functions as entryway and vestry for the resident monks.
