Ayyā Nimmalā was ordained as a bhikkhuni on October 17, 2011 at Spirit Rock, in Woodacre, California with Ayyās Ānandabodhī and Santacittā, founders of Aloka Vihāra. The historic four hour ceremony was attended by about 400 friends, family members and supporters, senior Dhamma teachers, and 45 monastics of the Theravāda, Mahayāna and Vajrayāna traditions from near and far.
Here is a slideshow presentation of the entire event by a professional photographer, a few other photos and a video of the Sangha procession to the ceremony.
Listen to audio talks given at the ordination by distinguished guests and scholars, including Bhikkhu Bodhi’s audio message of blessings and congratulations and the supportive address of blessing to the new bhikkhunīs by Venerable Dr. Anālayo, who travelled from Germany to participate in the ordination ceremony.
The bhikkhunī upasampada – full ordination and acceptance into the Bhikkhunī Sangha – was performed by a dual Theravāda Sangha of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. Ayyā Tathāālokā Therī was their Pavattinī, or preceptor, leading the Bhikkhunī Sangha, and Bhante Pallewela Rāhula Mahāthera led the Bhikkhu Sangha as Ovadakacāriya.
The names of Theravādan bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs who conducted and witnessed the ordination procedure as well as bhikṣus and bhikṣunīs from the Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions who were invited as witnesses are listed below.
Kammavācācariya: Ven. Bhikkhu Tekewe Ṣantharakṣita Mahāthera
Assisting Kammavācācariya: Ven. Bhikkhu Kahanda Amarabuddhi Mahāthera Mahāthera
Witnessing Bhikkhus:
Ven. Bhikkhu Balangoda Ānanda Mangala Mahāthera
Ven. Bhikṣu Jian Hu Sthavira
Ven. Bhikkhu Brahmāli Thera
Ven. Bhikkhu Wimalaratana Thera
Ven. Bhikkhu Khemaratana
Ven. Bhikkhu Jaganātha
Ven. Bhikkhu Anālayo
Ven. Bhikkhu Cintita
Kammavācācarinī: Ven. Bhikkhunī Sudinnā Therī
Assisting Kammavācācarinī: Ven. Bhikkhunī Sudhammā
Supporting Kammācarinīs:
Ven. Bhikkhunī Gunasārī
Ven. Bhikkhunī Sobhanā
Ven. Bhikkhunī Satimā
Witnessing Bhikkhunīs:
Ven. Bhikṣunī Thubten Chödrön Mahāsthavirī
Ven. Bhikkhunī Metteyyā Therī
Ven. Bhikṣunī Tenzin Kacho Sthavirī
Ven. Bhikṣunī Losang Drimay Sthavirī
Ven. Bhikkhunī Thich-nu Hue Tri
Ven. Bhikkhunī Medhānandī
Ven. Bhikṣunī Tharpa
Ven. Bhikṣunī Semkye
Ven. Bhikkhunī Ṭhanasanti
Ven. Bhikkhunī Adhimuttā
Ven. Bhikkhunī Suvijjanā
Ven. Bhikkhunī Phalañānī
