Western Theravāda Bhikkhunī ordination in the lineage of Ajahn Chah I

Ajahn Cha

In the Western Sangha order, in the lineage of Ajhan Chah, there is no Bhikkhunī order since the Western Sangha order is partially controlled by the Thai Elders Councils. Ajahn Sumedho, after he had left Thailand and became an Abbot of Amarāvati, 25 years ago, established Sīladharā, 10 precepts nuns, as an alternative to the Bhikkhunīs. Ajahn Sumedho refrained from establishing a Theravāda Bhikkhunī order in part due to the dissenting voices of his Bhikkhu preceptor – Upajjhāya – and Thai Elders councils in Ubonrachathani, and the Mahatherasamakhom in Bangkok. These councils have never agreed to institute Theravāda Bhikkhunī order. The Mahatherasamakom controls all Western monasteries, limiting powers of ordination to only one or two senior Bhikkhus per continent. These western Bhikkhus are given the official Upajjhāya titles and the ability to issue ordination certificates that are valid in Thailand. This is in contrast to what is stated in the Vinaya Mahāvagga, which permits that any qualified monk who ordained over 10 years can be an Upajjhāya.

Over time, an increasing number of Western women have expressed the desire to be ordained as Theravāda Bhikkhunīs. In March 2009, Ajahn Brahm, who also lived with Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho in Thailand, wanted to give women a Theravāda Bhikkhunī ordination. This could be the first Theravāda Bhikkhunī ordination in the Ajahn Chah tradition. Ajahn Brahm has high hopes for this since his Upajjhāya is the current acting Sangharaja Somdet Buddhajahn, who has the authority, and might be willing, to approve the ordination in the Western Sangha order outside Thailand.

In March 2009, Ajahn Brahm, who also lived with Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho in Thailand, wanted to give women a Theravāda Bhikkhunī ordination. Nevertheless, this has not been done because, as a whole, the Thai Elders Councils are strongly opposed to this issue, and the Western monastics who support Theravāda Bhikkhunī ordination have respect for the position of the Thai Elders Council, as they are seniors.

It is worth investigating the political, ideological, and legal forces in the Thai Elders Councils which prevent Theravāda Bhikkhunī ordination in the West.