And Then There Were Three! :-)

Welcoming 2 Aspiring Bhikkhunis To Anukampa’s Community!

On Sunday 16th March, Anagarikaa Upacala renewed her training precepts with me as her teacher, which also meant formally joining the Anukampa community as my first trainee. This step marks a pivotal point for Anukampa as we now have another long-term resident at the monastery ~ a precious new kalyanamitta (spiritual friend) for everybody here! It is also a turning point for Buddhism in the UK, because this is the first time that a woman has been able to take up anagarikaa training with a wide open path ahead to becoming a full member of the monastic Sangha as the Buddha prescribed, with no glass ceilings limiting her growth within that Sangha. In other words, she can train as a bhikkhuni who will eventually be empowered to train her own nuns, meaning there will be more well-trained bhikkhunis to spread the Dhamma far and wide! My heart is full of mudita for An. Upacala, as well as gratitude towards the countless good hearts who helped create the conditions to make this possible. 

Establishing monasteries is always hard work. Navigating the extra challenges intrinsic to an environment where bhikkhunis face discriminatory attitudes and the entrenched view within some Buddhist traditions that monks are a greater “field of merit” than nuns, makes it far harder still. Some people non-sensibly argue that women don’t “need” to be fully ordained and train in adhisila (higher virtue) as the Buddha recommended, yet support fully ordained monks without question! It is therefore understandable that some of our early supporters (and I) underestimated the challenges involved in establishing a Bhikkhuni Sangha in England, and I commend those for whom the challenges served to strengthen your resolve. 

I am so happy that I never gave up! Serving Anukampa means so much to me, not only because it serves female renunciates but also because it offers a me way to express my immense gratitude and respect for Ajahn Brahm’s teachings and the sacrifices he made to enable women (like me) to be fully ordained. His unconditional friendship and support have been a constant source of inspiration that kept me going when times were tough. Not only have we now established a beautiful monastery, I’ve learned things I’d never have otherwise learned ~ about myself, and by extension the human mind ~ that have helped me grow in wisdom and compassion. I am continually learning how much resilience, courage and tenderness is required in a leadership role ~ a willingness to break and be stitched back together again, (and again and again) ~ in order to continue against the odds. I’ve learned to ask for help, as well as to extend a strong supporting arm to others.  

Witnessing budding aspirations developing in young women has been another huge energy source. I knew there may be women who, like me, sustain a strong aspiration to practice as renunciates and search for an opportunity to ordain, yet I didn’t know who they might be. In retrospect, it was a bit like giving metta to a stranger or invisible being. I trusted they existed (somewhere out there!) and I wanted it to be easier for them than it was for me. I have also come to realise that as we speak, there are women who may not know they have a monastic calling ~ because such a choice has never felt real. How can we choose a vocation ~ mundane or spiritual ~ when it is not even on our radar of choice? With so few bhikkhuni monasteries worldwide (and the array of wrong views that regard female monastics as lesser than, or “fortunate guests” of, monks), there is no wonder the Bhikkhuni Sangha is sparse. And obviously this has consequences for the accessibility and reputation of Buddhism. I’ll never forget the Chinese student who came to our previous Vihara and whose eyes melted with tears, as she uttered: “I never knew this could be possible for me,” or the young Norwegian man who said: “Bhikkhunis are redeeming Buddhism.”

In the years before we had a Vihara, I met women for whom the idea of monastic life was novel, yet remote. I started realising that, given the necessity of playing an upfront role in strengthening the systems that support female alms mendicants, before they can go forth, my first aspirants would need considerable maturity in meditation coupled with a deeply compassionate, sustained intention to serve. Did such women exist and where? I also appreciated, by putting myself in their shoes, that it could be challenging to train with a single senior nun and no peers. Wasn’t all this a long shot? At large monasteries with established communities, an anagarikaa or junior nun would have ample pre-existing support, few responsibilities and many sisters in robes. Taken together, these realities meant we needed great patience and trust, and I thank you all for yours. 

Imagine my delight today. Conditions have finally conspired to bring us together in such a way that I have not one, but two excellent aspirants! I could not imagine nor wish for a finer pair and I am stoked that they have each other as peers. There also exists a beautiful dynamic of three-way support ~ respectful yet relaxed, allowing for fun. Our current Polish guest Joanna said the energy between us reminded her of the story of Anuruddha, Kimbila and Nandiya ~ three monks in the Buddha’s day who “blended like milk and water,” regarding each other with loving eyes (paraphrased from Upakkilesa Sutta) ~ and that’s how it feels to me.

Which brings me to Chie. Another beloved member of our community, who stayed with Ven Upekkha and I for many months last year, even completing the move with us to Anukampa Grove, Chie will take her anagarikaa precepts on 20th April, at 3pm. If she continues her training (and may it be so!) this will make her the first British woman to train right through from anagarikaa to bhikkhuni ordination in the UK! Not wishing to get ahead of myself, nor anyone else, the joy is in the voyage and I feel utterly blessed to have Chie on board. 

I know that more learning, growth and challenges (not always immediately inviting!) lie ahead. And whatever is to come, we will face. I take heart knowing that together, as three kalyanamittas open to feedback, willing to be honest and vulnerable with each other, we can journey further on this path than we could alone, if not to the journey’s end. Going forth for the complete freedom from suffering and the highest happiness of Nibbana is the ultimate way of paying back our debt of gratitude ~ to the Buddha, our teachers and all those who support us in our aims. Thank you from the depths of my heart and on behalf of everyone who has benefitted from our work so far, for your inspirational, steadfast support. I hope you are rejoicing with us!

Post golden-hued ceremony, with Liz, Ginny and Nigel as special (local) guests



I share these touching messages of support from my Dhamma “big brothers” and sister: 

Dear Ayya,
Sādhu!!! This is great news! A real monastery taking shape in real time!
Much metta and very best wishes to you and your new kalyānamitta,

Ajahn Brahmali

OMG I am so happy for her! Ayya, you are doing an amazing job, and it was truly heartwarming to witness your community. May our sister Bluejay* fly free!
with metta

Bhante Sujato

Anumodana!!!!
You both – us all – deserve it SOO much. 
Sabba dukkha nissarana – nibbana sacchi karanattha ya
May your friendship bear great fruit.
With muuuuch happiness (and a great deal of excitement)

Ven Upekkha

And Ajahn Brahm, via Zoom, has pledged that: “You both have my full support.

*Bluejay (or literally, “little sister bluejay” is the meaning of Upacala, who was also an arahant bhikkhuni and Ven. Sariputta’s middle little sister, in the Buddha’s day 🙂

Shrine to another female arahant, Patacara Bhikkhuni, alongside gifts and inspiring pics!

Chie’s Story & Aspirations

Dear Dhamma Friend,

You might be pleased to know that I have formally requested anagarika training from Venerable Canda, and she accepted! I intend to complete the preliminary training as Anagarika for part of this year and the next, and if all goes with the current flow of things, go on to samaneri training for some time and in a beautiful culmination of those training years,  I will be able to ask for the full bhikkhuni ordination. Upon requesting full ordination as ordination and if accepted by the Sangha at that time, I would be able to start journeying as a junior bhikkhuni; a gradual training from 8-precepts all the way to observing 311 precepts.

Whilst the present moment is often alluded to as being timeless, on a very apparent level the experience of samsara through the body has a clear beginning and middle and that means that the concept of time is pervasive and holds us. There is a time to train as a layperson, to sit and walk retreats, to support the Sangha (the Bhikkhuni Sangha and the Bhikkhu Sangha), and to delve deeper into the monastic aspirations, that time is now for me – a gift truly given.

Making anagarika robes!

I envision that my life in training will consist of more comprehensive studies of the suttas, not with the intention of being a scholar, or to win the Buddhist pub quiz, or to best others in philosophising about ancient languages and doctrines, but to have the standard knowledge base which will support my practice, and perhaps one day in the far distant future gives me some ability to share the teachings. I pre-empt that the life in training means opportunities to serve the Dhamma and Sangha more intimately, gone are the wonderful days of bringing dana to the monastery, but coming will be the days of folding a monastic’s or long-termers’ laundry (others’ and my own), setting up the dhamma hall for sutta discussions, building relationships with renunciates by living amidst them – and over time having increasing involvement in duties of varying complexity.

What about the meditation, cultivation of right mindfulness and right stillness? In line with Ajahn Brahm’s approach – he who introduced me to Buddhism in 2014 through a dhamma talk in my late teens – I mean to practice and do practice meditation but never forget that the practice ripens more from how the mind is applied when we are in our various postures and modes of being whilst off the cushion. I am looking forward to loads of kindful service, building and sustaining seemingly ordinary qualities such as sharing, listening, learning, having good manners, supporting those in need, and advocating for those less privileged, marginalised or underrepresented from the perspective of a trainee-monastic. I smile at the potential future of sitting the the rains retreat with the well-established and wise, but out of faith and my own sensibilities also see that those 3 months in silence will flow in a way which is closely influenced by the other 9 months before the rains retreat, and the years bygone.

Special and honorable mentions to all of you who are the Anukampa community, the current opportunities within the Anukampa project are due to years of work by the community. On a personal level I would like to express gratitude to individuals in the community I have interacted with, heard or seen, for they have been examples of wholesome qualities and allowed me to see the dhamma in action – the community are supporters of the Bhikkhuni Sangha but also my teachers and will continue to be.

Even more special and even more honorable mentions to the teacher Venerable Canda, who began the project and can be given credit for the way it is, but also on a personal level is an older practitioner than myself, an experienced female alms mendicant, a monastic to respect, a role model to follow the example of, a female to approach in a way I cannot approach monks, a marginalised individual to relate to, a person to be open to as a human.

Salutations to my family, being Afro-British I grew up in a cultural context which is community-oriented, I was brought up in a notably ethical family which is non-religious in many ways but lives with Christian undertones. We have experienced emotional and psychological divides which widened as I spent more of my time in secluded Buddhist spaces – to them at the time it seemed that I was separating from our family and our values. I am blessed to say that I and my family have grown and keep on, they have helped me more than they can imagine by listening, seeing more clearly what we are doing as people who are inclined towards the Dhamma, and by explaining to other family members who were perplexed. This level of gracefulness is currently seen in action as my two elder biological sisters occasionally visit the monastery out of familial duty and love.

Thoughts of appreciation to my previous studies and work in the health and social care sectors, my former colleagues, educators who were training me in ethical mainstream work, and instilled in me some other important skills and values. I admit I am glad to be branching out into a field even more nuanced and special in my eyes, for example, I am looking forward to more detailed studies of the Karaniya Metta Sutta (Sn 1.8), Mangala Sutta (Sn 2.4), Ratana Sutta (Sn 2.1), Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (SN 56.11), Anattalakkhana Sutta (SN 22.59 and Adittapariyaya Sutta (SN 35.28).

In true human fashion instead of superhuman, I love what the changes of this year bring and I do not want to ever be separated from a life which is like this. If there is another human life for me, I hope right off the cuff it starts off with training in a wholesome Bhikkhuni Monastery alongside the equally important strong community, and in the backdrop of an  ethical and kind-natured family. All our lives are undulating, times are flowing, trainings ever deepening of various depth, breadth, beauty, and processes are ever unfolding – the concept of time ever repeating. On that note, may we all reach the restful abidings which are independent of the conventional nature of time.

Chie xoxo

Anagarikaa Upacala’s Story of Renunciation 

With joy, I write to you as a new full-time member of our community! As such, I would like to share a little about the journey that brought me here. As a youth growing up in small-town Ontario, Canada, I didn’t want to be like the manicured people I saw in magazines and movies. Punk rock, art and anti-capitalist peers were my refuges, in a world saturated with advertisements to buy more and “be” more.

In 2014 I was working two jobs. The stress led me to begin meditating which helped for a while… until the practice faded. A year later, having moved to New Zealand, Matthew, my partner-to-be, told me about ten-day silent Vipassana retreats he had been to. Ten days in silence? Sign me up!

During that first retreat the teacher, S.N. Goenka, referred to bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs practicing in the Buddha’s time, who lived in forests and walked to villages for alms. I fantasised about doing that myself in modern-day Wellington. Wouldn’t bhikkhunī life be the ultimate rebellion from capitalism?! However, as I’d just moved in with Matthew, the idea faded into the background; instead I tried to meditate daily and found my sila (virtue) gradually improving. 

I felt drawn to spending more time practicing and serving at the meditation centres. I naturally lost interest in engaging with anything not directly related to Dhamma and in 2021, found a new refuge in spiritual friends. I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for this human life and the opportunity to practice. Later that year I was on a long retreat when New Zealand went into lockdown. Abruptly we had to leave. I was distraught, but it later proved a blessing in disguise. A friend who was at the retreat centre introduced me to a talk by a kind and compassionate bhikkhunī called…Venerable Candā.  It totally changed my practice. What?! I can be kind and gentle with the breath?

I was so inspired to know that in the present-day there was a bhikkhunī sharing Dhamma in a way that was aligned with the early Buddhist teachings. In that talk Ven. Candā said something like, “Who knows? Maybe someone hearing this could be inspired to go forth.” You have no idea, I thought! Seeing Ven. Candā showed me that it could be possible for me to go forth. I joked with a friend that I might have to go to Oxford and ordain with her! (See the screenshot opposite ;-))

Shortly after, the thought arose: What is this body but a vessel to take me out of rebirth? I could no longer stay in a job that was not allowing me to wholly give myself to practicing, serving and sharing the Dhamma, so I went to serve at the meditation centre. 

During this time my friend sent me articles about bhikkhunī ordination and lists of monasteries. I was excited to find that as well as a bhikkhunī project in New Zealand, there were three bhikkhunī monasteries in Australia, so I went to Aus to serve the bhikkhunīs.

Matthew was continually supportive of my spiritual path. I knew that more renunciation was needed in order for me to progress on the Path, and the Buddha created the forms of both a bhikkhu and bhikkhunī for this purpose. Seeing my dedication, he realised I wanted to ordain and encouraged me, even though it would mean we’d have to separate.

There were no suitable openings for training in NZ and Ven Canda did not yet have a base, so in early 2023, I went to live at a local bhikkhu’s monastery. It was a confusing time: along with inspiration I experienced loneliness, isolation and discrimination – as a woman I was expected to be in the kitchen. In the chanting, bhikkhus were mentioned but not bhikkhunīs. I felt invisible. Two young European bhikkhus said it would be easier to be a 10-precept nun in Sri Lanka, or even, that I should practice well in this life and be reborn as a man in my next! (Um, no. I wasn’t planning to be reborn at all).Eventually, I had a chance to stay with Ven Adhimutti, a senior Bhikkhuni in NZ and take the anagarikaa precepts. Being around a good bhikkhuni felt safe and finally gave me an opportunity to engage with the Dhamma in uplifting ways. It also gave me a realistic sense of the challenges female renunciants face. Sadly though, it wasn’t working out for Ven Adhimutti to stay in NZ and so we headed to Sri Lanka – another uncertain situation…

June 2024 near Anukampa Grove



I was in SL throughout much of the next year. Whilst I was there, Anukampa Grove opened and Ven Adhimutti encouraged me to make a visit in June 2024. I arrived exhausted, yet left with more joy in my heart than I could remember. When I later went back to Sri Lanka, alone, something was missing in my practice and I realised it was Sangha ~ that is why the Buddha said that spiritual friendship is the whole of the Path!

Everything was now pointing towards Anukampa Grove. I expressed my gratitude to Ven Adhimutti who gave me the opportunity to serve the Bhikkhuni Sangha and whose teachings and friendship enriched my life and in frosty January 2025, I arrived in England to a warm-hearted welcome. Ven. Candā’s foresight, compassion and hard work have created a loving and flourishing community that is now mature enough to support an aspiring bhikkhuni. More serendipitous still, Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project became registered as a visa sponsor just a month after I arrived, which meant that there was now an opening for an overseas trainee – me! I also wish to extend immense gratitude to all of you, Anukampa’s supporters, who have helped bring these incredibly rare conditions into being.

On March 16th, when I made my formal request to re-take my anagārikā precepts with Ven. Candā Therī as my teacher, it was different from the first time. This time, I was requesting to take the precepts with a view to going forth as a samanerī (novice nun in brown) – the platform to bhikkhuni ordination. After the small ceremony it felt as though I had really joined a family. I am so delighted; and what a treat that soon, on April 20th, I will have a fellow anagārikā with whom to continue this journey.

Documentary: Buddhist Nun on a Mission 

The Inspiring Story of Anukampa Grove

Anukampa Grove is the first monastery for Theravada bhikkhunis (fully ordained Buddhist nuns) in the United Kingdom, located in Boars Hill near Oxford. Founded by Venerable Canda with Ajahn Brahm as its spiritual advisor, it was established to provide a place where women can train towards full bhikkhuni ordination.

Ven Canda and her visiting friend Ven Upekkha moved in on 22nd March 2024. It is located in a peaceful wooded landscape, offering an ideal environment for Buddhist practice and meditation. Anukampa Grove aims to promote the teachings and practices of early Buddhism, while also providing opportunities for women to pursue a full-time spiritual life.

Together with the organisation Handful of Leaves, this video was made and tells the touching story of our journey.

My Time in Finland: A Metta Retreat

I had a wonderful trip to teach a Metta Retreat for the new Dhamma Society of Finland this March ~ a community of humble, warm-hearted folks with strong ethics of equality, that quickly felt like family. The retreat was well-attended and I enjoyed giving talks about the inclusive nature of loving-kindness and sharing laughter, tears and stories of resilience.

Whilst I was there it was International Women’s Day and this felt apt since Finland was the first European country where women won the right to vote. No wonder that at the heart of their aims is support for and representation of bhikkhunis as well as bhikkhus. All the talks were recorded and will be shared in our next newsletter ~ a small yet busy new team are learning to edit and upload them as we speak! Warmest thanks to everyone who made the retreat a success and I look forward to teaching for a sister society in Sweden next March 🙂

Prospective Monastery So Close: Donate Now to Bridge the Gap!

Your help is still needed us to make our vision of an inclusive, welcoming Buddhist community come true!✨

Ajahn Brahm’s visit this year was exceptional in many ways and most notably for an unexpected property find! On the long train ride back from visiting his extended family north of Liverpool, inspiration struck and we discovered an affordable prospective monastery property online.

Two days later, Ajahn, Ven Canda and volunteer Shel, went to view it and thought the layout and location ideal for a Forest Monastery – secluded yet accessible, with potential to expand. The prospective monastery is on Boars’ Hill just 5 miles from Oxford station. This location would enable us to stay near our main hub of support – and our friends, the Oxford Buddha Vihara monks – bringing the four-fold assembly to Oxford.

Happy volunteers with the Sangha at the end of Ajahn Brahm’s UK tour, 20.11.23 🙂

We and our loyal supporters have been running high on inspiration due your heart-warming response so far, in the form of donations, loan offers and messages of support. You have shown us that when intentions are aligned to Dhamma, they have power to spread the Buddha’s teachings and build safe, beloved communities. You have shown us how dedicated to practice you are. You have shown us that as a Buddhist community, we are ready to develop a monastery that will benefit us all – and so we celebrate and rejoice!

Our finances team once again would like to thank you for all your generous loan offers, including that of the BSWA. Our Treasurer Manori will be getting in touch with you again soon with more updates. We are now inviting donations of any amount to bridge the critical difference between loans and costs, so we can put in a successful offer (there are two other parties putting an offer in too)! For options on how to donate, please visit https://anukampaproject.org/donate/

Trustees Elena and Manori with Ven Canda, close to the prospective new Forest Monastery! 22.11.23

An Ideal Forest Monastery is Available Now!

Ajahn Brahm’s visit this year was exceptional in many ways and most notably for an unexpected property find! On the long train ride back from visiting his extended family and “scouser” (i.e. Liverpudlian) roots, inspiration struck and we discovered an affordable property online. Two days later, before the Bristol talk, Ajahn, Shel, and I went to view it. The layout and location ideal for a Forest Monastery – secluded yet accessible with potential to expand. The property is on Boars’ Hill just 5 miles from Oxford station. This location would enable us to stay close to our main hub of volunteers and supporters – and our friends, the Oxford Buddha Vihara monks! 

Autumn on the River Thames in Oxford

Since then and during our last weekend retreat ending 19th November, an overwhelming amount of support has been pouring in from so many of you. Our local and international communities have mobilised to help put us in a position to make a cash offer using personal loans, (just until these can be repaid when we sell our Vihara). We will have more information on whether we can proceed with an offer very soon.

At this point, we can only accept a limited number of loans due to the time frame and paperwork involved. We are therefore encouraging contributions of any amount so that we can move forward at this critical juncture. We have been searching for a property like this for years and know how rare a find this is – a peaceful yet central place to fulfil our mission of growing a Bhikkhuni Sangha here in the UK and develop a welcoming and inclusive spiritual community around that, which you can be a part of!

The monastics and their loyal supporters have been running high on inspiration due your heart-warming response so far. You have shown us the power that Dhamma-aligned intentions have in spreading the Buddha’s teachings and how dedicated to practice you are. You have shown us that as a community, we are ready for a monastery that will benefit us all – and for that I celebrate and rejoice!   

What You Can Do Next

If you would like to make a one-off donation, by bank transfer, PayPal, card, or to make a regular monthly donation, please visit https://anukampaproject.org/donate

For those of you who have so kindly offered loans, thank you! Manori will be in touch soon to update you on the next steps, or you are welcome to write to finances@anukampaproject.org if you have any questions.

Live-Streaming Ajahn Brahmali Retreat!

Dear Friends,

We have decided to broaden the reach of our upcoming week-long residential deep dive into breath meditation retreat with Ajahn Brahmali by livestreaming the morning and evening session on the Anukampa YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNIW229Hx4MOF_ahakA67EA.

The livestream will begin from Day Two through to Day Seven (14th May to 19th May) as follows:

09:00 – 10:00 Morning talk

20:15 – 21:30 Anonymous Q&A from “the box”

The final day’s morning session will close the retreat on 20th May:

Day 8

09:00 – 10:30 Closing talk and loving kindness meditation

All recordings will also be made available on the Anukampa YouTube channel following the conclusion of the tour.

Bhikkhunis on the Witches’ Pendle Hill!

by Paul (Anukampa Facebook Coordinator), 19th April 2023

What a blessing it has been to host Venerables Canda & Upekkha in our little cottage here in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire for a few days this month. Their presence transformed our humble abode into a mini Bhikkhuni Vihara while my partner Richard, our little beagle Amber and I vacated the house for their ease. Breakfast and lunch dana was offered daily, the regular Friday Night Sutta Discussion Class was broadcast live from our lounge and we got to know the learned Ven Upekkha a little better.

Lunch dana offering

We also had the opportunity to do a memorable hike up and over nearby Pendle Hill. With its infamous connection to the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612 and the beginnings of the Quaker Movement with the divine vision of George Fox in 1652 on its summit, Pendle Hill has seen some important historic events including the sojourn of Mahatma Gandhi in a village close by in 1931. The visit of Britain’s only known resident Theravada bhikkhunis at present is no less significant, in particular for the History of Buddhism in Britain. They are probably the first ever fully ordained Buddhist Nuns to ascend her heights!

Hike at Pendle Hill

Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project has brought a lot of joy to my life since becoming a volunteer back in 2016 and this has been a highlight for us. Long may the Bhikkhuni Sangha continue to grow and flourish for the benefit of all living beings!

Paul Burton 🙂

Why Do You Support Bhikkhunis? Three Male Perspectives

In this thought-provoking and spontaneous interview, Ven Canda & Ven Upekkha speak to three male guests visiting Anukampa Bhikkhuni Vihara about if and why bhikkhuni ordination matters to them as male Buddhists, and what they feel bhikkhunis offer to them – and to the Buddhist world at large.

The conversation is mainly directed toward Ananda (Luke), a devoted 21 year old Buddhist aspiring to ordain as a bhikkhu, and Erlend from Norway, a 47 year old Buddhist who is heavily involved in supporting Ajahn Nitho to develop a monastery in Norway. Ananda’s father Patrick, who came to Buddhism through Taekwondo, offered a few words as well – so the voices of three generations are heard here. We thank Ananda, Erlend and Patrick for their kind participation and thoughts on this important matter.

May all beings fulfill their spiritual aspirations!