This year Alliance for Bhikkhunis celebrated the 14th International Bhikkhuni Day on 18th of September 2024. On this International Bhikkhuni Day, we come together in gratitude for the Bhikkhunis who walk the noble path of the Buddha. Their dedication to wisdom, compassion, and equality inspires us all.
Ven Canda is kindly invited by the AfB to share her reflections on what it means to live as a Bhikkhuni, and below is hers:
My name is Ven Canda and I have been a Buddhist nun for 18 years, including 11 years as a Bhikkhuni. I began my training with meditation masters in Myanmar and Thailand, before moving to Australia as a disciple of Ajahn Brahm. Together, Ajahn Brahm and I worked to develop Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Monastery near Oxford, England – the first of its kind in the UK. The monastery opened in March 2024 and is where I currently reside.
What does being a bhikkhuni mean to me?
- A life of renunciation, meditation and selfless service aimed at ending all suffering and experiencing the absolute peace of Nibbana.
- A life of “unbecoming”! We are not really “being/becoming” anything, but rather, learning to let go of limiting views of “me and mine,” so our hearts can open to others with genuine compassion and find a wise response to the suffering we encounter in the world.
- A privilege and precious opportunity to train in higher virtue – harmlessness, simplicity, contentment and restraint. The Buddha formed and passed down the Bhikkhuni Vinaya as a powerful vehicle for liberation and for the benefit of future generations.
- The blessing of spiritual friendship. It means entering a global monastic community that is one of the oldest democracies in the world – an equitable model that holds each member accountable whilst fostering forgiveness and mutual respect.
- A challenge, because whilst the above are ideals, it is not always easy or possible to find such a community or practice opportunity! A bhikkhuni in the modern day is part of a pioneering movement to revive the Bhikkhuni Sangha, which sometimes means finding oneself alone in navigating a staunchly patriarchal institution. At times, this has been a challenge to my faith and has meant very limited access to the resources and teachings necessary to survive.
- An opportunity (where conditions are favourable) to develop more inclusive Sanghas, reach other marginalised communities, and empower women as teachers and leaders. When a young man told me that our work “helps redeem Buddhism,” a transgender woman used her pronouns for the first time whilst staying with us because she felt “safe enough to do so,” or when women coming to our monastery get teary-eyed because they “never knew it was possible” for them, too, to take full ordination, it brings me tremendous satisfaction, meaning and joy!
A personal experience that highlights my journey as a bhikkhuni:
- The powerful ordination procedure itself– finally entering the Buddha’s Sangha after years of committed practice both as a lay woman and as a Burmese nun was deeply moving and galvanised inspiration for the aim of the Holy Life (Nibbana), in 2014.
- And secondly, the serendipitous coming together of 9 years’ service as Spiritual Director of Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project, and the outpouring of support from our local and international community that led to securing our beautiful Anukampa Grove this year (2024). Finally, there is a place for women wishing to train towards bhikkhuni ordination, to do so in the UK!
Any message you wish to convey to the community:
A heart full of metta and gratitude is a happy heart! If you are asked to serve a Noble cause, try to take the opportunity. Even if you don’t reach your goal, pouring all your love into every small step will make it worthwhile for you and those around you.
Ajahn Brahm once said to me: “It’s easy to do bad things; really good things are hard to do.” At the end of our lives we won’t remember moments of fleeting sense pleasure. The goodness in our hearts and how much we were able to let go will be what matters.
To listen to the sound recording of this reflections, click here.