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!
Crawling out from under a rock in Gidgegannup, I felt like a neanderthal arriving at Heathrow airport. Prepared with a stack of letters proving that it was alright to enter a country without money, I stood on the 300 or so long e-immigration line that was manned by two people. It may have been Ajahn Brahm and Ven Canda sending metta at the time, but more likely that immigration officers were on strike – I arrived in the UK safely, and my long-awaited visit to Ven Canda had finally come to be.
Peering into a computer screen in the mornings and putting on my thick coat to walk down the quaint streets of Iffley towards the Thames in the afternoons, I wonder at how transient life can be. Having joined a forest monastery almost 14 years ago, I would never have imagined I would be sitting in front of a computer in a small terraced house in Oxford. As our abbot at Dhammasara, Ajahn Hasapanna often says, ‘Whatever you least expected – is probably what will happen’.
Ven Canda and Ven Upekkha in the dana hall
It has been a privilege to be part of and witness the growing community taking shape around Anukampa Bhikkhuni Vihara. Having known Ven Canda since before we took bhikkhuni ordination together in 2014, I know how hard she has worked (and still does). A Bhikkhuni Vihara in the UK is a reality. There is a dana hall, a meditation hall, and rooms for nuns and lay guests.
More inspiring than the Vihara (not to be under-estimated, a roof over our heads!) are all those who have come by. Some long-term Buddhists and others inspired by Ven Canda’s ongoing Zoom sessions; the generosity and sincerity of everyone involved is palpable.
The highlight for me so farwas an invitation from the Oxford Buddha Vihara to teach on their eight-precept day. We were warmly welcomed by the bhikkhu community and Venerable Mahasena proudly introduced the two bhikkhunis in the neighbourhood to his supporters.
A long-term supporter of the OBV wrote afterwards in an email:
“It’s just dawning on me how yesterday was such a historical moment – the four-fold assembly meeting together at the Oxford Buddha Vihara in joy and harmony! Because it was so relaxed and informal it might be easy to miss the significance of the event, but I will always remember it.”
Oxford Buddhist Vihara visit in early April
I have been very fortunate in my monastic life – to have the opportunity to practice as a fully-ordained nun, in a harmonious community in a vast forest. But I stand on the shoulders of giants. Those who had the guts to make it possible for women to live the Holy Life to its fullest – and those brave women and bhikkhunis who went before me.
May I be able to give back some of all that I have received, Venerable Upekkha 🙂
Here at Anukampa Vihara we have had many delightful comings and goings, with each and every visitor enriching the community. Guests notice the peaceful, harmonious atmosphere – ‘It feels like a sanctuary, a spiritual home,’ they say. Perhaps it is the silent afternoons, the regular meditation and Dhamma talks, or the faith of the guests who might have driven hours to offer a meal; whatever it is, Anukampa Vihara has become more than the house that was occupied in November – it has become an oasis of calm in a busy and fast-paced world.
Three guests at the Vihara with Ven Canda and Ven Upekkha
There has been a growing stream of overnight guests and drop-in visitors. Venerable Upekkha has doubled the Sangha’s presence and Grace looked after us well for seven weeks. The years of community building through “Zoomi Bhikkhuni” are finally bearing abundant fruit, with the majority of our residential guests having first met us online and since developed a lasting relationship with the community. From Norway to America (and this coming month from Perth!), everyone arrives with a heart of service, united in their aspiration to see the Bhikkhuni Sangha flourish and thrive.
After years of a solitary uphill slog, Anukampa is bursting to life, like the blossoms and leaves on the trees of Iffley Village. Thank you for supporting us in every way, both seemingly small and large.
Several day-visitor supporters with two overnight guests
Finally, to start the month of May on a high, we had the fortunate opportunity to invite two of the Oxford Buddha Vihara monks for lunch dana with us – Ven Mahasena from the Shan state of Myanmar who is currently acting abbot, and Ven Tuan from Vietnam who is studying for his PhD. The meeting was informal and filled with joy (and delicious food!). After lunch we had a fascinating discussion with Ven Tuan about the historical context of the Sarvastivadin and Early Mahayana teachings. We look forward to meeting our Dhamma brothers again at Ajahn Brahmali’s Oxford events – and hopefully seeing you there too!
It has been a long time since I wrote to you personally, and I am so happy to be back in touch.
In this letter, I share photos, memories and videos from Ajahn Brahm’s tour; upcoming regular teachings and special events; registration links for Ajahn Brahmali’s May 2023 retreat; and of course, more about Anukampa Buddhist Vihara – how you can be involved and come and stay in our sanctuary of spiritual friendship!
It has been more than two years since we temporarily limited visitors to our former Bhikkhuni Residence, but with the improvement of the global health situation worldwide, we are glad to announce that we are able to re-open to both residential and non-residential visits, now that Venerable Canda is back in the UK after her Rains Retreat!
Not only that, Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project has managed to secure our first property, near the River Thames in the beautiful University city of Oxford. Owning our very own Vihara (small monastery) rather than being in a rented location will provide more stability to the Project and provide a wonderful base from where to practice, gather together and grow community.
This purchase is a culmination of all the support from well-wishers around the globe in one way or another, and we are very inspired and grateful. Our aspiration is that Anukampa Buddhist Vihara will also be a solid foundation from which to continue building a supportive environment for women to practise monastic Buddhism in the UK, as fully-fledged bhikkhunis, in the manner laid down by the Buddha himself. This is yet another step towards our goal of establishing a permanent “Forest Monastery” in the UK.
You can write to team@anukampaproject to make arrangements to visit, offer food, or stay as a guest and find out how to be part of this wonderful, diverse and international community.
We look forward to welcoming you at our new Vihara soon. Sadhu x3!
The Anukampa team
Hello hello from the new Vihara!
Happy to see everyoneAjahn Brahm speaking with devotees at the new Vihara
We are delighted to inform you that we have just completed the purchase of our first Vihara (monastic dwelling) in Oxford. After seven years’ hard work in bringing this to fruition, Venerable Canda has a place to deepen her meditation practice, train Bhikkhunis, and teach the Dhamma; and the lay community now has a place to gather and practice – a Dhamma sanctuary.
Our Spiritual Advisor Ajahn Brahm sent us this wonderful congratulatory message:
“The Buddhist Society of Western Australia started in a small house, 4 Magnolia Street in North Perth, over 40 years ago. It is now a huge Buddhist organisation with many monasteries for nuns and monks, state-of-the-art retreat centres and lay city centres. Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project has just purchased our very own Bhikkhuni Vihara in Oxford. This may seem a small achievement to some but, having personally seen all the hard work and sacrifice of those who made this event happen, it is a major milestone that we have reached. Bhikkhunis now have a home in England. Of course, this is not the finale in our quest for equity for women in Theravada Buddhism in the UK. From the comfortable house in Oxford, we intend to eventually purchase a larger property, in a quiet location, on which to build a Bhikkhuni Monastery similar to those monk-run monasteries in the UK. As Buddhists, we are patient, but your generosity and support will see our dream appear sooner. With Mega Mettā, Ajahn Brahm.”
We are pleased to share the second episode of a new podcast with Venerable Candā is available now called “Developing Resilience”. With thanks to Sol at the Buddhist Society of Western Australia for making these available.
In this episode of Sage Advice, we have Bhikkhuni Candavisuddhi, known as Venerable Canda, the pioneering nun blazing a trail for women monastics by striving to establish the Anukampa project, a monastery for fully ordained nuns in the United Kingdom. Those who previously listened to Venerable Canda’s story in a previous episode of Treasure Mountain will know that she has a lot grit to practice in challenging circumstances, and now to lead the way to establish a community of practice, and eventually a monastery in the UK. One quality that she has demonstrated in large measure is resilience, and she joins us today for this episode of Sage Advice to discuss the topic of resilience and determination.
In this episode of Spirit Stories our guest is Venerable Candavisuddhi, also known as Ayya Canda, who first encountered meditation and the spiritual path when travelling through Asia as a young woman. This led to several years of going on and supporting retreats in India and Nepal. Whilst the yearning to live the Buddhist monastic life intensified, she found that opportunities for women to lead a meditative monastic life were few, until finding out about a chance to ordain with Sayadaw U Pannyajota in rural Burma. The meditative life suited Venerable Canda very well, but four years of the Burmese climate, diet and parasites took a toll on her health, and she decided to return to the West. A chance encounter led Venerable Canda to the teachings of Ajahn Brahm, and the opportunity to practice and take higher ordination at Dhammasara Monastery in Western Australia in 2014. Now she is blazing a trail for women monastics by leading a project to start a monastery for bhikkhuni sangha in the country of her birth, the United Kingdom. Venerable Canda joins us now to share her Spirit Story.
News from Venerable Canda and Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project, UK We are delighted to share the news, that after a long search, the Anukampa Trust have found a suitable mid-term property and the vendors have accepted the offer! Located in a quiet cul-de-sac about two miles away from Oxford city centre, the Bhikkhuni Vihara-to-be is close to green spaces, the River Thames and its delightful towpath, and the vibrant multicultural community of East Oxford.
Ven Canda and Trustees Malika, Kelly, Sue & Helen
This is an enormous accomplishment, as it will be the first property owned by a Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust in British history. Ajahn Brahm has been supporting the project from its conception, as Spiritual Advisor, Chair, and Inspiration Extraordinaire, and we are incredibly grateful for his continued guidance and commitment to our aims.
The courtyard garden
This is also an exciting and significant step for the Bhikkhuni Sangha worldwide. With places for fully ordained nuns very few and far between, many women are denied an opportunity, whilst good bhikkhunis struggle to survive in robes. Now, for the first time in six years, we will have stable monastic accommodation for Venerable Canda – a place where she can practice, teach and start to grow a resident community. As the housing market continues to rise, this first purchase is also an excellent investment for our supporters’ generous donations, and a springboard to a full-fledged monastery!
The property is an end of terrace three-storey town house in a fairly new development. It features a bright kitchen; a downstairs living room opening into the courtyard garden that is perfect for receiving lunch dana guests; an upstairs living room ideal for meditation; plus modest spaces for visiting monastics and guests. It has a peaceful feeling about it and we hope it will be a wonderful place of practice.
Living Room
Although our offer has been accepted and we are proceeding with the purchase, nothing is certain until contracts have been signed and the sale has been completed, yet we wanted to share this exciting news with you now. We are enormously grateful for all the support we have received and hope to practice with you in Oxford in the near future.
Right now: Whilst the sale goes through, Venerable Canda is at Jhana Grove entering upon a long period of solitary retreat. She would like to take the opportunity to express immense gratitude to the whole Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sangha in Perth, as well as the BSWA and Anukampa supporters worldwide, for this wonderful chance to deepen her practice. She also looks forward to welcoming Ajahn Brahm to the UK on his November teaching tour.
Sharing a wonderful new Bhikkhuni documentary, featuring three revered pioneer bhikkhunis: Ayya Dhammananda, Ayya Tathālokā Bhikkhunī and Ayya Santussika of Karuna Buddhist Vihara, as well as leading lay women supporters and academics, and two monks with VERY different attitudes towards bhikkhhuni ordination. Thank you Thāvirā Sāmaṇerī for posting this and also participating as part of the Dhammadharini Sangha! Well worth a watch and only 25 minutes long. Can we follow in these bhikkhuni’s footsteps here in the UK? With your support then YES!