Resignation Venerable Vimala

Dear friends,

After long deliberation and discussions with the Spiritual Advisors, Ayya Anandabodhi, Ayya Santacitta, and Bhante Sujato I have decided to leave Tilorien Monastery after Bhante Sujato’s visit in January 2025.

After having built and run the monastery for 7 years I feel it is becoming time for others to take over. I feel rather tired and drained from the years of hard work and I wish to focus more on my practice. My recent hospitalization and surgery have underlined the need to take it easier.

Another reason for my decision is that my father is now 92 and living alone without any other relatives so I wish to start looking after him more.

When we started the Monastery I had a vision of a Bhikkhuni monastery where other Bhikkhunis would come to live but after nearly 7 years I have to conclude that I don’t have the skills to make this happen, nor to provide training for them. It is also not possible at present to provide visas for Bhikkhu*nis. 

When we started in 2015 there were hardly any places for Bhikkhunis in the world. Over the years the lay communities worldwide have been more than generous and enthusiastic in creating places for Bhikkhunis. I feel very touched by the great support Tilorien Monastery and myself have received! 

Now the challenge is the provision of adequate training and teaching for Bhikkhunis. The Bhikkhus have a great choice of places with inspiring teachers where they can stay for years without much responsibility and focus on their practice. For Bhikkunis there are far fewer places for training available and this takes time to develop. We are still in a pioneering phase.

In the next year, I will work together with other monastics to find a good solution for Tilorien Monastery to continue under new leadership.

I feel very grateful to all the people who helped build Tilorien Monastery, the Samita Board members, and the lay community that have been so supportive all these years. I hope you will continue to support the Monastery in the years to come as much is still needed to build the Bhikkhuni Sangha. 

I also wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the Bhikkhu*nis, and other monastics who have stayed in Tilorien Monastery and those who supported me with their wisdom and friendship. I wish to pay special tribute to the Spiritual Advisors Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta, whose timely gentle caring guidance has helped me so much. And last but not least I wish to thank Bhante Sujato, who has supported me ever since the beginning.

With much gratitude,     

Ven. Vimala Bhikkhu*ni