Two Historic Bhikkhuni Ordinations on June 21, 2015
First Theravada Ordination of Bhikkhunis in Indonesia After a Thousand Years
After being asleep for more than 1000 years in Indonesia, the lineage of Theravada bhikkhunis in Indonesia bounced back through Indonesia’s first contemporary bhikkhuni ordination ceremony held on Vesak 2559 BE / 2015 CE, on Sunday (06/21/2015). More >>
The ordination of Samaneri Dhira occurred in Germany on June 21, 2015 at Anenja Vihara. Samaneri Dhira was born and grew up in Southern Germany (Bavaria), where Anenja Vihara is located. She has been living and practicing at this monastery continuously since summer 2012. This was the first bhikkhuni ordination in Germany.
Ayya Dhira Bhikkhuni receiving the blessing chanting right after the full ordination was completed
The nuns (by seniority) who participated are:
Ven. Chueh Men (known in Sri Lanka as Ven. Sakyavimutti), from Fo Kwanag Shan monastery in Taiwan. She was sent to Sri Lanka years ago by her master and the founder of FKS to help the nuns of Sri Lanka fully ordain.
Ayya Sucinta, a great pioneer who has defied impossible odds to become one of our first Theravadan bhikkhunis, and who has founded or been key to saving 4 nuns’ monasteries, including this one (Anenja Vihara) where she has been abbess since around 2009. Ayya Sucinta organized countless details to hold multiple gatherings and ceremonies associated with the ordination.
Ayya Vijjithananda, abbess of the Sakyadhita Center (nunnery & training center for nuns) in Gorakana, Sri Lanka
Ven Hemananda, Ayya Vijjitahanada’s sister (both by birth and by ordination)
Ven. Chue Min from Sri Lanka
Ayya Sobhana of California
Ayya “Archie” (“Grandmother”) Satima of Colorado & Minneapolis
Ayya Phalanyani of Germany (now living in Thailand)
2 novices, one of whom, the German nun Samaneri Dhira, was ordained this day
Anagarika Charlotte
The monks who took part in the ordination ceremonies include a few of our great luminaries in the West:
Bhante Gunaratana (Bhante G) of the Bhavana Society in West Virginia. Bhante G was nearly blinded by recent eye surgeries but has taken this strenuous travel upon himself in his dedication to the cause of women’s ordination.
Bhante Analayo of Germany, who is a well known translator and author
Bhante Rahula, a respected elder American monk
Lay people gathered from long distances to see this historic ordination.
Two Historic Bhikkhuni Ordinations on June 21, 2015
First Theravada Ordination of Bhikkhunis in Indonesia After a Thousand Years
View Facebook photos of the ordination.
First Bhikkhuni Ordination in Germany
The ordination of Samaneri Dhira occurred in Germany on June 21, 2015 at Anenja Vihara. Samaneri Dhira was born and grew up in Southern Germany (Bavaria), where Anenja Vihara is located. She has been living and practicing at this monastery continuously since summer 2012. This was the first bhikkhuni ordination in Germany.
The nuns (by seniority) who participated are:
The monks who took part in the ordination ceremonies include a few of our great luminaries in the West:
Lay people gathered from long distances to see this historic ordination.
