Our vision is to be an international female Buddhist learning center both for female monastics and laywomen to support Buddhism for the welfare of our sangha and others in fulfilling the fourfold Buddhist communities as envisaged by the Buddha.
To make this possible, we are committed to feasible missions with concrete actions of all sangha members: bhikkhunis, sikkhamanas, and samaneris. The core missions are
1.Strengthening Buddhist teaching within one’s committed life.
2.Working on the development of others.
3.Creating work.
4.Creating systems to sustain both works and sangha members.
5.Creating a strong and healthy sangha.
Temporary Ordination for Female Novices
Songdhammakalyani Bhikkhuni Arama has offered temporary ordination for the past 10 years. The ordination is offered twice a year on April 6 and December 5, the candidates receive training for 3 days, and the actual ordination last for 9 days. Many of the candidates are working women, so they often chose this time of the year where there are some extra holidays to allow them to take leave from work.
Ven.Dhammnanda being the first and now still the only Pavattini (bhikkhuni teacher) has given novice orditation to 700 women. Giving such opportunity even temporarily is still meaningful to Buddhist women.
The training emphasized on passing on information about ordination, to confirm that ordination for women is possible and is allowed by the Buddha. Each candidate will be able to give proper answer to public once they return to laylife.
They received also mental training to be able to recognize their own mental defilement so that they will learn how to handle them once they are back in their work place.
Each of them had a chance to go out for alms, this has always been a positive experience. As in the past women have always been offering alms to the bhikkhus or male monks. This is the first time that they experience themselves on the receiving end. Some of them returned with tears for such a wonderful experience.
There are foreigners who would like to seek ordination also. In case the candidate has not been Buddhist before, the person need to take refuge (to become Buddhist) at least 4 months before asking for ordination.
This coming ordination in April will be batch 22, there will be one or two cases of foreigners who will be joining the ordination after having taken refuge properly.
If you are interested, you can find registration form on out website.
Songdhammakalyani Bhikkhuni Arama is the first temple in Thailand providing a friendly space for international bhikkhunis to be trained together. Twice a week a group of 3 bhikkhunis go for alms, candidates to the program can follow them. This is one of the highlight for the monastic training. We have been able to preserve this Buddhist tradition in a pristine manner.
International Theravada Bhikkhuni Ordination
We are now preparing for the up-coming International Theravada Bhikkhuni ordination to be organized for the first time by Maha Bodhi Society of India (MSBI) in Bodh Gaya, India. The date is January 29th, 2019. The Venue will be at the MBSI in Bodh Gaya itself.
Ven.Seewalee, the general secretary of MBSI intiated this programme, and we are very happy that he has provided such opportunity for women to come forth and enjoy their right fully according to the Buddha’s allowance and intention.
For more information we have uploaded the registration form, etc. on our website to make it possible for people to view and to have access.
<Registration Form for Temporary Ordination>
