Did you know? Because of the Vinaya (code of monastic disciplinary rules), bhikkhunis cannot handle money or directly ask lay practitioners for donations, even to address their most basic needs. Instead, lay people can invite bhikkhunis to make a request for support (Pavarana). Alliance for Bhikkhunis extends this invitation to bhikkhunis worldwide, and in response to their requests, we offer them support through the generosity of your donations.
If you would like to help provide for the needs of bhikkhunis and the growth of the Bhikkhuni Sangha, please consider a donation to Alliance for Bhikkhunis. Your donations are used to support a wide range of projects across the Buddhist world. Donations can be made by using the button under each project or by sending a check.
Thank you for your support!
SUPPORT FOR ONGOING PROJECTS
Please consider contributing to the following funds and projects:
The Alliance for Bhikkhunis General Fund supports a wide range of one-time requests from bhikkhunis and monasteries worldwide as well as our ongoing efforts on behalf of the bhikkhuni movement. Examples include:
Healthcare needs such as doctor visits, medicines, health insurance, etc.
Transportation to attend conferences, ordination ceremonies, retreats, and teaching engagements.
Purchase and development of new monastery properties.
Publication of new bhikkhuni books.
Emergency needs.
And more…
Click below if you would like to contribute to Alliance for Bhikkhunis’ General Fund. No adminstrative fees are deducted when you donate through the PayPal Giving Fund!
New Residential Building at Gunatillake Aramaya
Pamunuwa, Handessa, Sri Lanka
Dr. Gunaratna’s architectural drawing for the upper floor of the planned new residence.
In late 2025, Bhikkhuni Dr. W. Suvimalee, of Gunatillake Bhikkhuni Aramaya in Sri Lanka, reached out to Alliance for Bhikkhunis to request assistance in raising funds for a new residential facility. In recent years, their community has survived severe flooding, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the worst economic crisis Sri Lanka has ever known. These calamities have taken a heavy toll on the village families who support the temple, and so they are appealing to the wider community for help.
The original plaster is decaying.Bhikkhunis at Gunatillake Aramaya in Sri Lanka, including Ven. Suvimalee (2nd from right).
The old bhikkhuni residence was built in 1958 with inferior waricchi (wattle and daub), smeared over with a light coating of plaster, which has begun to show alarming signs of decay, in part due to intrusion by various kinds of pests. As a result of this deterioration, the time has come to build a new residential level as soon as possible. It will include rooms for bhikkhunis, a central sitting area, and toilet facilities.
Architectural drawings have been made free of charge by the well-known Sri Lankan architect Dr. Locana Gunaratna, Ph.D., who trained at the London School of Architecture, Harvard University, and University of Colombo. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award from the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects.
Click below to donate to this project via PayPal.
Support Fledgling Passaddhi Vihara
Passaddhi Vihara is a bhikkhuni residence in Western Washington State in the United States.
Current Resident Bhikkhunis Ayyā Suvijjānā (full ordination in 2010) and Ayya Niyyānika (full ordination in 2017) both initially trained at Dhammadharini Monastic communities with Ayyā Tathālokā as their preceptor. They wish to establish a new monastic community in the Pacific Northwest, and envision a small community of monastics and other renunciants with eight precepts or more dedicated to development of deeper states of peace and stillness. The first phase has begun with a two bedroom rental located in West Olympia, Washington State. During this phase their focus is on their own monastic and internal development, creating a good framework for the monastery. Passaddhi Vihara currently hosts online Dhamma sharing, (meditation and sutta studies), in-person days of walking and sitting meditation, going on weekly alms rounds and the flow in daily monastic life. In further phases of development, Passaddhi Vihara intends to provide training for aspirants on the path to full ordination, when the time seems right. This will happen when the supportive conditions arise, such as something larger than a two bedroom apartment and, a few phases down the road, purchased property that can be tailored to the needs of a monastic community.
To make a donation or to learn more about Passadhi Vihara programs, future plans, and more ways to get involved, visit their website at https://passaddhivihara.org/.
Support for Sakyadhita in Sri Lanka
The Sakyadhita Training and Meditation Center in Sri Lanka has been providing Buddhist nuns with support during their initial training and assisting women aspiring for higher ordination since 2000. Local and international nuns regularly travel to this exceptional Center to advance on their paths to become fully ordained bhikkhunīs. Under the guidance of the abbess, the venerable bhikkhunī Madulle Vijithanandā, Sakyadhita Sri Lanka is helps poor nunneries in the region, provides social services to people such as counseling to families. It focuses on meditation and Dhamma education for children and adults. Activities include delivering Dhamma discourses, visiting homeless children, hospitals, conducting Buddhist programmes, blessings for people, chanting, or interfaith meetings and peace processions. The Center rises to the occasion in times of natural disasters. Read more here.
Current needs:
The cost of a higher ordination upasampadā for one nun is between USD 66 – 380 per nun, depending on the length of stay or training. This covers lodging, food, training costs, and other expenses. The sīmā hall for performing ordination is in urgent need of repair as it is 20 years old.
An increasing number of theravāda nuns in Sri Lanka take university education, similarly to the monks. The Educational Fund was set up to cover the costs (USD 346 per year per nun) for books, transportation, medical and other expenses.
Programs are organized for 40-50 small nunneries on such topics as community health care, counselling skills and social development. Financial contributions and food packets (USD 50-150) to poor nunneries across Sri Lanka are provided.
Four monastic requisites are needed for the senior and younger nuns residing in Sakyadhita Sri Lanka: food, clothing, shelter, and medicine as well as funds for local travel and nuns’ overhead costs.
The venerable bhikkhunī Vijithā and the venerable bhikkhunī Dhamma Darshikā, are the most senior bhikkhunīs in Sri Lanka. Their monastery, Srī Gothamī ārāma, is located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, in Olaboduwa. Read more here.
In addition to teaching the Dhamma and meditation, both venerables train new nuns. They are also providing for the needs of people in the local villages, taking care of those, who are severely sick, either at their homes or at the hospital, donating them not only some emotional support and comfort, but also material needs.
Both venerables are rapidly aging and are facing many health issues. Bhikkhunī Vijithā is in her 80s and her health is deteriorating rapidly. Monthly expenditures on medicines and treatments have increased. Wheelchair access for Venerable bhikkhunī Vijithā to enter the dāna hall is needed.
There are currently 9 nuns staying in the small ārāma, therefore the support is currently scarce and much needed.
Regular monthly allowance for nuns – food, robes, medicine, cleaning supplies, transportation, overhead costs for the nuns
Repair of the ārāma – rooms, sanitary facilities, roof, fence, kitchen and entrance gate
Construction of new kutis (lodging) for the nuns
Barrier free ramp and stairs repair
Support for Indian Nuns in Nagpur
Nuns at Nagpur, India
These Ambedkarite Buddhist nuns in Nagpur, India practice diligently in the Theravada tradition. Though full of devotion, they are some of the poorest Buddhists in the world who struggle to find access to training and accommodation. Temples are owned by lay committees who force the nuns to move on every few months. Mostly only older women and very poor children ordain, with the odd exception of a woman. The nuns have so much patience and perseverance. They often attend Vipassana retreats and also do many pujas as this is how they survive. Nuns also study Pali and engage in some social work – counselling and offering Sunday school for local children.
It is estimated by a Washington think tank that 4 million people died in the pandemic in India. Now India has emerged from the Pandemic, but the caste system that has oppressed scheduled caste (ex “untouchable”) people for thousands of years persists, eating into every facet of life there. In India there is currently a Hindu Nationalist government which is not in favor of the emancipation of lower caste people, and violence towards minorities has increased. The nuns live very simply with many public temples lacking toilet and shower facilities. Nuns need resources for medicine, food, robes, bedding, books for university, resources for pilgrimage and funds to go and do retreat at Vipassana centres.
Bhikkhuni Projects Needing Support
Did you know? Because of the Vinaya (code of monastic disciplinary rules), bhikkhunis cannot handle money or directly ask lay practitioners for donations, even to address their most basic needs. Instead, lay people can invite bhikkhunis to make a request for support (Pavarana). Alliance for Bhikkhunis extends this invitation to bhikkhunis worldwide, and in response to their requests, we offer them support through the generosity of your donations.
If you would like to help provide for the needs of bhikkhunis and the growth of the Bhikkhuni Sangha, please consider a donation to Alliance for Bhikkhunis. Your donations are used to support a wide range of projects across the Buddhist world. Donations can be made by using the button under each project or by sending a check.
Thank you for your support!
SUPPORT FOR ONGOING PROJECTS
Please consider contributing to the following funds and projects:
General Fund
The Alliance for Bhikkhunis General Fund supports a wide range of one-time requests from bhikkhunis and monasteries worldwide as well as our ongoing efforts on behalf of the bhikkhuni movement. Examples include:
Click below if you would like to contribute to Alliance for Bhikkhunis’ General Fund. No adminstrative fees are deducted when you donate through the PayPal Giving Fund!
New Residential Building at Gunatillake Aramaya
Pamunuwa, Handessa, Sri Lanka
In late 2025, Bhikkhuni Dr. W. Suvimalee, of Gunatillake Bhikkhuni Aramaya in Sri Lanka, reached out to Alliance for Bhikkhunis to request assistance in raising funds for a new residential facility. In recent years, their community has survived severe flooding, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the worst economic crisis Sri Lanka has ever known. These calamities have taken a heavy toll on the village families who support the temple, and so they are appealing to the wider community for help.
The old bhikkhuni residence was built in 1958 with inferior waricchi (wattle and daub), smeared over with a light coating of plaster, which has begun to show alarming signs of decay, in part due to intrusion by various kinds of pests. As a result of this deterioration, the time has come to build a new residential level as soon as possible. It will include rooms for bhikkhunis, a central sitting area, and toilet facilities.
Architectural drawings have been made free of charge by the well-known Sri Lankan architect Dr. Locana Gunaratna, Ph.D., who trained at the London School of Architecture, Harvard University, and University of Colombo. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award from the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects.
Click below to donate to this project via PayPal.
Support Fledgling Passaddhi Vihara
Passaddhi Vihara is a bhikkhuni residence in Western Washington State in the United States.
Current Resident Bhikkhunis Ayyā Suvijjānā (full ordination in 2010) and Ayya Niyyānika (full ordination in 2017) both initially trained at Dhammadharini Monastic communities with Ayyā Tathālokā as their preceptor. They wish to establish a new monastic community in the Pacific Northwest, and envision a small community of monastics and other renunciants with eight precepts or more dedicated to development of deeper states of peace and stillness.
The first phase has begun with a two bedroom rental located in West Olympia, Washington State. During this phase their focus is on their own monastic and internal development, creating a good framework for the monastery. Passaddhi Vihara currently hosts online Dhamma sharing, (meditation and sutta studies), in-person days of walking and sitting meditation, going on weekly alms rounds and the flow in daily monastic life. In further phases of development, Passaddhi Vihara intends to provide training for aspirants on the path to full ordination, when the time seems right. This will happen when the supportive conditions arise, such as something larger than a two bedroom apartment and, a few phases down the road, purchased property that can be tailored to the needs of a monastic community.
To make a donation or to learn more about Passadhi Vihara programs, future plans, and more ways to get involved, visit their website at https://passaddhivihara.org/.
Support for Sakyadhita in Sri Lanka
The Sakyadhita Training and Meditation Center in Sri Lanka has been providing Buddhist nuns with support during their initial training and assisting women aspiring for higher ordination since 2000. Local and international nuns regularly travel to this exceptional Center to advance on their paths to become fully ordained bhikkhunīs. Under the guidance of the abbess, the venerable bhikkhunī Madulle Vijithanandā, Sakyadhita Sri Lanka is helps poor nunneries in the region, provides social services to people such as counseling to families. It focuses on meditation and Dhamma education for children and adults. Activities include delivering Dhamma discourses, visiting homeless children, hospitals, conducting Buddhist programmes, blessings for people, chanting, or interfaith meetings and peace processions. The Center rises to the occasion in times of natural disasters. Read more here.
Current needs:
https://www.sakyadhita-srilanka.org/index.php/Sakyadhita/Welcome
Project: Sri Gothami Arama
The venerable bhikkhunī Vijithā and the venerable bhikkhunī Dhamma Darshikā, are the most senior bhikkhunīs in Sri Lanka. Their monastery, Srī Gothamī ārāma, is located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, in Olaboduwa. Read more here.
In addition to teaching the Dhamma and meditation, both venerables train new nuns. They are also providing for the needs of people in the local villages, taking care of those, who are severely sick, either at their homes or at the hospital, donating them not only some emotional support and comfort, but also material needs.
Both venerables are rapidly aging and are facing many health issues. Bhikkhunī Vijithā is in her 80s and her health is deteriorating rapidly. Monthly expenditures on medicines and treatments have increased. Wheelchair access for Venerable bhikkhunī Vijithā to enter the dāna hall is needed.
There are currently 9 nuns staying in the small ārāma, therefore the support is currently scarce and much needed.
Support for Indian Nuns in Nagpur
These Ambedkarite Buddhist nuns in Nagpur, India practice diligently in the Theravada tradition. Though full of devotion, they are some of the poorest Buddhists in the world who struggle to find access to training and accommodation. Temples are owned by lay committees who force the nuns to move on every few months. Mostly only older women and very poor children ordain, with the odd exception of a woman. The nuns have so much patience and perseverance. They often attend Vipassana retreats and also do many pujas as this is how they survive. Nuns also study Pali and engage in some social work – counselling and offering Sunday school for local children.
It is estimated by a Washington think tank that 4 million people died in the pandemic in India. Now India has emerged from the Pandemic, but the caste system that has oppressed scheduled caste (ex “untouchable”) people for thousands of years persists, eating into every facet of life there. In India there is currently a Hindu Nationalist government which is not in favor of the emancipation of lower caste people, and violence towards minorities has increased. The nuns live very simply with many public temples lacking toilet and shower facilities. Nuns need resources for medicine, food, robes, bedding, books for university, resources for pilgrimage and funds to go and do retreat at Vipassana centres.
Thanks so much for any kind offerings you make.
Donate to this project via PayPal