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Venerable Vimala’s visit in April 2025
Venerable Vimala from Dhammasara Nuns’ Monastery in Western Australia will be visiting our urban vihara in Kirikiriroa from 22 of April to 12 of May 2025. During her stay, the community will be offering a variety of opportunities to engage with the Dhamma, including Dhamma talks, guided meditations, and sessions for teenagers. Venerable Vimala began…
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Ayya Upekkha’s Visit in February 2025
Ayya Upekkha Theri from Dhammasara and Santi Forest Monastery will be visiting our urban vihara in Kirikiriroa from 6-20 0f February 2025. During her stay we will be offering a number of dhamma sessions, guided meditations, sessions for teenagers and fundraising events. Full program for Ayya Upekkha’s visit February 2025
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Rejoicing in Merits/ Anumodana
The New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust wish to share merits with the late Mrs Damdhara Uyansinghe-Jayawardena Punchihewa (21.05.1960 – 27.06.2019). We wish to acknowledge the first generous donation made towards the NZBST made in memory of the late Damdhara. The main intention behind this donation being for the initiation of the first Theravada Buddhist Monastery…
New Zealand Bhikkhunī Sangha Trust
A place for female monastics in the Buddhist Theravada Forest Tradition
The vision of NZBST is to promote the practice and study of Theravāda Buddhism in New Zealand by supporting fully ordained nuns in the Theravāda Forest Tradition. We are committed to providing a strong foundation for their monastic life while also inviting experienced Buddhist female monastics and other knowledgeable teachers to offer spiritual guidance and teachings to all who seek wisdom on the path.
A message from Ajahn Brahmali and Ayya Karunika about the Vision of NZBST
In a world of uncertainty, the timeless teachings of the Buddha offer a refuge—a path of wisdom, peace, and awakening. The New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust (NZBST) is dedicated to nurturing this path by supporting fully ordained nuns (bhikkhunīs) in the Theravāda Forest Tradition and ensuring they receive the same respect, resources, and opportunities as monks.
For a long time, bhikkhunīs have encountered obstacles to full participation in monastic life, despite their invaluable role in preserving and sharing the Dhamma. At NZBST, we are dedicated to changing this by offering the support they need to live, practice, and teach in Aotearoa.
By inviting bhikkhunīs and offering teachings, meditation, and guidance, we seek to make the Dhamma accessible to all—Theravāda Buddhists and anyone drawn to the path of wisdom and inner peace. Through generosity and community support, we create the conditions for wisdom and compassion to flourish, ensuring that the light of the Buddha’s teachings continues to shine for generations to come.
This is more than just a mission—it is an invitation. An invitation to walk this path together, to cultivate peace and compassion, and to ensure that the light of the Buddha’s teachings continues to shine for generations to come.
Will you be part of this journey?
New Beginnings for NZBST
“The donation of a monastery where one can practice samādhi & insight, meditating well sheltered & at ease, has been praised by the Buddha as the highest of all gifts to the monastics.
Therefore, wise persons, considering their own welfare, build monasteries to accommodate knowledgeable monastics.
With purified, joyful mind they donate food & drinks, robes &lodging to genuine & upright monastics, who share with them the Dhamma to overcome all suffering.
And having understood the Dhamma, freed from all impurities, right here they realize Nibbāna.”
The Buddha, Cullavagga VI.9.2
(Anumodana for Anathapindika for the donation of Jetavana monastery.
New Zealand Bhikkhunī Sangha Trust 