By Ajahn Canda
Dear friends,
In the eleven years since I returned to the UK, aspiring to establish a Bhikkhuni Sangha here, I have received so much more than I could ever have hoped for. Far from my early monastic life of simplicity in Myanmar, these gifts included lessons that were difficult, such as realising how hard it can be to help pioneer the revival of the Bhikkhuni Sangha within a traditionally patriarchal monastic culture, and the necessity of getting to grips with technological tools that cause many headaches! From a birds’ eye perspective, these and other challenges have helped me grow in courage, resilience and determination ~ and ignited a deep passion for helping support other marginalised individuals and groups through the Dhamma.
Many of you have accompanied me throughout this journey, growing alongside me in the Dhamma through our teachings and diverse community of spiritual friends. Although a relatively small, close (and widely international) community, what stands out to me is the quality of your love, dedication and devotion to our aims.
Your support and confidence has enabled me to take on an excellent samaneri in her first year of monastic life, which for me has the added advantage of gaining a spiritual companion; a Dhamma sister to help serve in spreading the Dhamma even further. This has also opened doors for other women to explore budding monastic aspirations, sometimes bringing them (and me) to tears of inspiration! This is all thanks not only to our followers, supporters and volunteers, but also a truly solid, good-hearted team of trustees, in it for all the best reasons (our revered Chair & Spiritual Advisor, Ajahn Brahm, included). Your combined efforts are also now supporting us to enter three months of silent retreat time, to accelerate our path to liberation ~ which is the deeper purpose of all that we do.
May I take this pre-retreat opportunity to express deep gratitude and share metta with every single person reading this – everyone who has ever offered even a carrot (to spur us on!) – and those who have helped in ways I may not even know about, yet matter no less. Your generous offerings of meals, groceries, expertise, time, encouragement and love are helping many beings free themselves from suffering ~ and we can only do this together.
With every good blessing and much metta, Ajahn Canda
