An ordination at Tapodhanaramaya, Sri Lanka.

February 28, 2003 four samaneris received full ordination at Tapodhanaramaya, Mt.Lavinia, Colombo, Sri Lanka and became bhikkhunis.

I completed my 2-year term as Samaneri and Sikkhamana in Feb. 2003. As the time drew near, I made connection and preparation since the end of 2002. Ven Dhammaloka first said that an international ordination will be held in 2004 but I made a special request to have it done in 2003. After much preparation, Ven Dhammaloka was happy to commit himself for Feb. 28, 2003.

As it turned out there were four samaneris receiving full ordination at this event. Ven. Sudhamma, an American lawyer, ordained as samaneri for four years with Ven.Bhante Gunaratna of Bhavana Society, W.V; myself (Dhammananda) from Thailand: Ven.Gunasari, a Burmese medical doctor living in the US: and Ven.Saccavadi also a Burmese studying in Sri Lanka. Natthaporn Padmanirankul from Thailand was ordained as samaneri at the same event.

There were 12 senior monks and 10 senior bhikkhunis. Among the bhikkhus were Ven.Dhammaloka Mahathera, Ven.Nandaratna Mahathera, Ven.K.Vajira Mahathera, Ven.P.Somalankara Mahathera, Ven.Piyananda Mahathera (from LA), Ven.Ananda (from Holland) etc.

My Pavattini, (bhikkhuni Uppajjhaya) was Ven.Bhikkhuni Khemacari president of the Bhikkhuni Association from Neugala, Sri Lanka. She was very well practiced nun and had more than 40 years of ordained life. Ven.Bhikkhuni Sudarshana came days earlier to train us for the ceremony, Ven.Bhikkhuni Sudinna spent long hours translating for us and made sure we did the proper 9 bows! I am most grateful to all of them.

After the ordination, Sakyadhita Sri Lanka put a lot of effort to organize a colorful procession and a warm reception at the center on Sri Dhammananda Mawattha outside Colombo for all the five newly ordained ones.

I am most thankful to Mrs.Ranjani de Silva for all her effort, Ven.Bhikkhuni Supeshla, young and vibrant bhikkhuni with her team to make the reception a great event.