And then there were three….by Ven Candā
On Sunday 20th April, whilst many people were celebrating Easter with family members, our spiritual family grew. It was an occasion to be remembered forever ~ personally and as the first time a British woman had taken up the anagarikaa precepts with a view to bhikkhuni ordination ~ yes, yet another first!
It took an evening to shave Chie’s head, owing to the care needed to ensure that her hair was kept in good condition as a precious donation for cancer patients ~ our friend Karin told us that afro hair donations are in short supply in the UK. This intention gave the shaving ceremony additional meaning and Chie’s exuberance at the end, as she touched her freshly shaven head ablaze with sensations, was a sight to behold!
“I can feel everything!” “Its like having a whole new limb!” “I never knew I had so much head!!” were some of her humorous and jubilant exclamations 🙂 The metamorphosis from lay woman to nun had begun!
The next morning she already seemed comfortable with her baldness and there was a purposeful buzz in the air, as we went about preparing our largest room, the danasala, for the visitors coming later. All our available parking space was booked, with some of our most devoted supporters and eight members of Chie’s family. Inspiringly, one of her elder sisters had flown with her family all the way from Zimbabwe (where they spend most of the year) for just two or three days to show a loving supportive presence.
An. Chie requesting and taking her anagarikaa precepts, with a view to going forth 🙂
Traditionally, the aspirant enters bearing a tray of gifts for her preceptor, which she presents before requesting the eight precepts. This tray contained a beautiful hand drawn picture of Ajahn Brahm and I, at my bhikkhuni ordination, surrounded by English wildflowers! It was very supportive for me personally, to have the presence of Venerable Vimala (visiting from Belgium), as well as Anagarika Upacala, as I must admit to feeling slightly overawed!
Amazingly, neither An. Chie nor I shed a tear during the recitation, probably because we had already done that in the lead up several times! The ceremony is relatively simple and short, yet there was a powerful sense of joy and inspiration that continued building as An. Chie received her visitors’ blessings and gifts ~ including a gigantic box of “Dazz” washing powder from her family, which made us chuckle!
Traditionally, the aspirant enters bearing a tray of gifts for her preceptor, which she presents before requesting the eight precepts. This tray contained a beautiful hand drawn picture of Ajahn Brahm and I, at my bhikkhuni ordination, surrounded by English wildflowers! It was very supportive for me personally, to have the presence of Venerable Vimala (visiting from Belgium), as well as Anagarika Upacala, as I must admit to feeling slightly overawed!
Amazingly, neither An. Chie nor I shed a tear during the recitation, probably because we had already done that in the lead up several times! The ceremony is relatively simple and short, yet there was a powerful sense of joy and inspiration that continued building as An. Chie received her visitors’ blessings and gifts ~ including a gigantic box of “Dazz” washing powder from her family, which made us chuckle!
Since that special day, An. Chie’s radiance has only increased. She looks so ready for this step, this renunciant path, and wears her white robes like a natural, their multiple folds continuing to soften around her.
As for me, I can barely believe my good fortune. Our community now has two excellent anagarikaas, whose easy-going natures, genuine love of practice and readiness to serve make them super-easy to train. The conditions at Anukampa Grove are ripe and the Dhamma-Vinaya (the teachings and their application) is our unsurpassed guide.
Since that special day, An. Chie’s radiance has only increased. She looks so ready for this step, this renunciant path, and wears her white robes like a natural, their multiple folds continuing to soften around her.
As for me, I can barely believe my good fortune. Our community now has two excellent anagarikaas, whose easy-going natures, genuine love of practice and readiness to serve make them super-easy to train. The conditions at Anukampa Grove are ripe and the Dhamma-Vinaya (the teachings and their application) is our unsurpassed guide.
Messages from the community:
“I’m beaming with mudita for Anagārikā Chie! It’s an honour to have such a steady, kind-hearted anagārikā sister to grow with on this path. I feel so blessed to be a part of this community!” Anagarika Upacala
“Dear Chie,
Sending you very much metta for Sunday. And for many thousand mornings afterwards as you follow the Buddha’s path. I hope you find the poem’s I’ve marked in Mary Oliver’s poetry book inspiring.
You are fulfilling your life’s purpose and that of Anukampa Grove, which brings great joy to so many people.
Many Blessings with love.” Lynne
“Dear Chie,
I don’t really know what to say on such a great occasion as its definitely a very new one for everyone. I feel extremely privileged to meet you, to witness a part of your spiritual journey, to share giggles and occasional eyeroll, lol. Thank you for letting me be a part of this day that will change our lives and officially open doors to ordination to women! I feel very proud of you, in awe of your commitment to the path, and I cherish your friendship, kindness and wisdom. Wishing you all the best and I can’t wait to observe the next leg of your spiritual journey.
With lots of love & metta” Karina
“Dear Anagarikaa Chie, I am back home now, and still deeply moved by yesterday’s events. It was such a privilege and blessing to witness this milestone on your spiritual path and in the Anukampa and UK Bhikkhuni history. I could not think of anything to say, that sounded ‘good enough’. I hope you did not mind me speaking with your mum instead. My mum would have felt the same, probably not come or shown this level of composure. I also got caught out on the present side. I did not realise it was allowed. Therefore, to be entrusted with your hair feels even more special. When I had my hair cut off for my first chemo in 2012 I did not know about this charity. I left some outside for the birds’ nest building. Until I send it off, your hair is on my main shrine. I have looked at the form, which I can fill in for you. They will want to email you a certificate. Therefore, I need the name you wish to appear on the certificate and the email address you want them to use. I will then do the form and post it securely with your hair to them. With much metta and blessings for you.” Karin
“I think there is so much positiveness, gentleness and cleanliness of both the place and, I think, the aura in there ~ love it! I will be learning more on meditation. You look like you where even born there lol ~ so perfectly fitting to who I have known.” Chie’s Sister
