Did you know that bhikkhunis, because of the Vinaya (code of monastic disciplinary rules) cannot directly ask lay practitioners to address even their most basic needs? However, lay people are able to invite (Pavarana) their requests and respond as they are able. Donations can be made by using the button under each project or by sending a check. Thank you for your support!
SUPPORT FOR ONGOING PROJECTS
Please consider contributing to the following funds and projects:
Sirisampanno Monastery is a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Northern Germany. The monastery consists of a main building, a barn, and a garden with three simple garden kutis. Efforts are focused on creating space for up to five nuns in the main building and expanding the barn as a meeting place for nuns, supporters, and guests. We are working very hard to make Sirisampanno a suitable environment where people can train and live according to the Dhamma.
The top priority is making the large, very rudimentary, two-story barn suitable to host a big retreat in November 2024. The long-term goal is for the ground floor to include the dana hall, rooms, and toilets. The second story will consist of a large meditation hall, library, and a room for visiting monastics. Right now we are in the first of three phases of construction.
Phase 1. Basic framework (~150.000 € or $163,000)
Phase 2. Heating and isolation systems, floors (~150.000 € or $163,000).
Phase 3. Electricity, lightweight walls, toilets, paint/plastering work (~350.000 € or $382,000)
To help with a portion of the enormous costs, we have applied for pro-rata support from a public fund that helps maintain old farm houses, and we are waiting on a decision due soon. However, those funds will cover only a fraction of the work. Therefore, all support is very warmly welcome.
Support for Sakyadhita in Sri Lanka
The Sakyadhita Training and Meditation Center in Sri Lanka has been providing Buddhist nuns with support during their initial training and assisting women aspiring for higher ordination since 2000. Local and international nuns regularly travel to this exceptional Center to advance on their paths to become fully ordained bhikkhunīs. Under the guidance of the abbess, the venerable bhikkhunī Madulle Vijithanandā, Sakyadhita Sri Lanka is helps poor nunneries in the region, provides social services to people such as counseling to families. It focuses on meditation and Dhamma education for children and adults. Activities include delivering Dhamma discourses, visiting homeless children, hospitals, conducting Buddhist programmes, blessings for people, chanting, or interfaith meetings and peace processions. The Center rises to the occasion in times of natural disasters. Read more here.
Current needs:
The cost of a higher ordination upasampadā for one nun is between USD 66 – 380 per nun, depending on the length of stay or training. This covers lodging, food, training costs, and other expenses. The sīmā hall for performing ordination is in urgent need of repair as it is 20 years old.
An increasing number of theravāda nuns in Sri Lanka take university education, similarly to the monks. The Educational Fund was set up to cover the costs (USD 346 per year per nun) for books, transportation, medical and other expenses.
Programs are organized for 40-50 small nunneries on such topics as community health care, counselling skills and social development. Financial contributions and food packets (USD 50-150) to poor nunneries across Sri Lanka are provided.
Four monastic requisites are needed for the senior and younger nuns residing in Sakyadhita Sri Lanka: food, clothing, shelter, and medicine as well as funds for local travel and nuns’ overhead costs.
The venerable bhikkhunī Vijithā and the venerable bhikkhunī Dhamma Darshikā, are the most senior bhikkhunīs in Sri Lanka. Their monastery, Srī Gothamī ārāma, is located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, in Olaboduwa. Read more here.
In addition to teaching the Dhamma and meditation, both venerables train new nuns. They are also providing for the needs of people in the local villages, taking care of those, who are severely sick, either at their homes or at the hospital, donating them not only some emotional support and comfort, but also material needs.
Both venerables are rapidly aging and are facing many health issues. Bhikkhunī Vijithā is in her 80s and her health is deteriorating rapidly. Monthly expenditures on medicines and treatments have increased. Wheelchair access for Venerable bhikkhunī Vijithā to enter the dāna hall is needed.
There are currently 9 nuns staying in the small ārāma, therefore the support is currently scarce and much needed.
Regular monthly allowance for nuns – food, robes, medicine, cleaning supplies, transportation, overhead costs for the nuns
Repair of the ārāma – rooms, sanitary facilities, roof, fence, kitchen and entrance gate
Construction of new kutis (lodging) for the nuns
Barrier free ramp and stairs repair
General Fund
Contribute here if you would like to donate to the general fund which supports Bhikkhunis as critical issues emerge. No fees are taken out of the PayPal Giving Fund!One current focus for our General Fund is the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Systemic economic problems have led to a weakened currency and rising prices. Ordinary Sri Lankans are struggling to afford basic necessities of life, and this severely limits their ability to provide support for Buddhist monastics. Local nuns report several shortages of essential goods like food, milk, rice, flour, paper, cooking gas, and many kinds of medicine. We are in contact with bhikkhunis around the world, and we remain committed to providing assistance to these monastic communities through the kind generosity of our donors.
AfB also draws on this essential fund in response to specific one-time requests. It has been used to support the growth of bhikkhuni monasteries by contributing towards their repair, construction and purchase. It is frequently used for travel to ordinations, conferences and retreats, without which bhikkhunis would have no means to attend. These monies are critical for anything from fixing broken plumbing to the financial support of important bhikkhuni publications.
There are no fees taken out when you donate through the Giving Fund!
Support for Indian Nuns in Nagpur
Nuns at Nagpur, India
These Ambedkarite Buddhist nuns in Nagpur, India practice diligently in the Theravada tradition. Though full of devotion, they are some of the poorest Buddhists in the world who struggle to find access to training and accommodation. Temples are owned by lay committees who force the nuns to move on every few months. Mostly only older women and very poor children ordain, with the odd exception of a woman. The nuns have so much patience and perseverance. They often attend Vipassana retreats and also do many pujas as this is how they survive. Nuns also study Pali and engage in some social work – counselling and offering Sunday school for local children.
It is estimated by a Washington think tank that 4 million people died in the pandemic in India. Now India has emerged from the Pandemic, but the caste system that has oppressed scheduled caste (ex “untouchable”) people for thousands of years persists, eating into every facet of life there. In India there is currently a Hindu Nationalist government which is not in favor of the emancipation of lower caste people, and violence towards minorities has increased. The nuns live very simply with many public temples lacking toilet and shower facilities. Nuns need resources for medicine, food, robes, bedding, books for university, resources for pilgrimage and funds to go and do retreat at Vipassana centres.
Bhikkhuni Projects Needing Support
Did you know that bhikkhunis, because of the Vinaya (code of monastic disciplinary rules) cannot directly ask lay practitioners to address even their most basic needs? However, lay people are able to invite (Pavarana) their requests and respond as they are able. Donations can be made by using the button under each project or by sending a check. Thank you for your support!
SUPPORT FOR ONGOING PROJECTS
Please consider contributing to the following funds and projects:
Develop Sirisampanno Monastery
Sirisampanno Monastery is a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Northern Germany. The monastery consists of a main building, a barn, and a garden with three simple garden kutis. Efforts are focused on creating space for up to five nuns in the main building and expanding the barn as a meeting place for nuns, supporters, and guests. We are working very hard to make Sirisampanno a suitable environment where people can train and live according to the Dhamma.
The top priority is making the large, very rudimentary, two-story barn suitable to host a big retreat in November 2024. The long-term goal is for the ground floor to include the dana hall, rooms, and toilets. The second story will consist of a large meditation hall, library, and a room for visiting monastics. Right now we are in the first of three phases of construction.
Phase 1. Basic framework (~150.000 € or $163,000)
Phase 2. Heating and isolation systems, floors (~150.000 € or $163,000).
Phase 3. Electricity, lightweight walls, toilets, paint/plastering work (~350.000 € or $382,000)
To help with a portion of the enormous costs, we have applied for pro-rata support from a public fund that helps maintain old farm houses, and we are waiting on a decision due soon. However, those funds will cover only a fraction of the work. Therefore, all support is very warmly welcome.
Support for Sakyadhita in Sri Lanka
The Sakyadhita Training and Meditation Center in Sri Lanka has been providing Buddhist nuns with support during their initial training and assisting women aspiring for higher ordination since 2000. Local and international nuns regularly travel to this exceptional Center to advance on their paths to become fully ordained bhikkhunīs. Under the guidance of the abbess, the venerable bhikkhunī Madulle Vijithanandā, Sakyadhita Sri Lanka is helps poor nunneries in the region, provides social services to people such as counseling to families. It focuses on meditation and Dhamma education for children and adults. Activities include delivering Dhamma discourses, visiting homeless children, hospitals, conducting Buddhist programmes, blessings for people, chanting, or interfaith meetings and peace processions. The Center rises to the occasion in times of natural disasters. Read more here.
Current needs:
https://www.sakyadhita-srilanka.org/index.php/Sakyadhita/Welcome
Project: Sri Gothami Arama
The venerable bhikkhunī Vijithā and the venerable bhikkhunī Dhamma Darshikā, are the most senior bhikkhunīs in Sri Lanka. Their monastery, Srī Gothamī ārāma, is located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, in Olaboduwa. Read more here.
In addition to teaching the Dhamma and meditation, both venerables train new nuns. They are also providing for the needs of people in the local villages, taking care of those, who are severely sick, either at their homes or at the hospital, donating them not only some emotional support and comfort, but also material needs.
Both venerables are rapidly aging and are facing many health issues. Bhikkhunī Vijithā is in her 80s and her health is deteriorating rapidly. Monthly expenditures on medicines and treatments have increased. Wheelchair access for Venerable bhikkhunī Vijithā to enter the dāna hall is needed.
There are currently 9 nuns staying in the small ārāma, therefore the support is currently scarce and much needed.
General Fund
Contribute here if you would like to donate to the general fund which supports Bhikkhunis as critical issues emerge. No fees are taken out of the PayPal Giving Fund!
One current focus for our General Fund is the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Systemic economic problems have led to a weakened currency and rising prices. Ordinary Sri Lankans are struggling to afford basic necessities of life, and this severely limits their ability to provide support for Buddhist monastics. Local nuns report several shortages of essential goods like food, milk, rice, flour, paper, cooking gas, and many kinds of medicine. We are in contact with bhikkhunis around the world, and we remain committed to providing assistance to these monastic communities through the kind generosity of our donors.
AfB also draws on this essential fund in response to specific one-time requests. It has been used to support the growth of bhikkhuni monasteries by contributing towards their repair, construction and purchase. It is frequently used for travel to ordinations, conferences and retreats, without which bhikkhunis would have no means to attend. These monies are critical for anything from fixing broken plumbing to the financial support of important bhikkhuni publications.
There are no fees taken out when you donate through the Giving Fund!
Support for Indian Nuns in Nagpur
These Ambedkarite Buddhist nuns in Nagpur, India practice diligently in the Theravada tradition. Though full of devotion, they are some of the poorest Buddhists in the world who struggle to find access to training and accommodation. Temples are owned by lay committees who force the nuns to move on every few months. Mostly only older women and very poor children ordain, with the odd exception of a woman. The nuns have so much patience and perseverance. They often attend Vipassana retreats and also do many pujas as this is how they survive. Nuns also study Pali and engage in some social work – counselling and offering Sunday school for local children.
It is estimated by a Washington think tank that 4 million people died in the pandemic in India. Now India has emerged from the Pandemic, but the caste system that has oppressed scheduled caste (ex “untouchable”) people for thousands of years persists, eating into every facet of life there. In India there is currently a Hindu Nationalist government which is not in favor of the emancipation of lower caste people, and violence towards minorities has increased. The nuns live very simply with many public temples lacking toilet and shower facilities. Nuns need resources for medicine, food, robes, bedding, books for university, resources for pilgrimage and funds to go and do retreat at Vipassana centres.
Thanks so much for any kind offerings you make.
Donate to this project via PayPal