Born and raised in Wales, UK, Ayya Ānandabodhī Bhikkhuni first encountered the Buddha’s teachings in her early teens while reading about the Four Noble Truths. The experience was deeply transformative, inspiring a lasting confidence in the Buddha’s insight and a sincere wish to understand the path more fully.
At 24, she entered monastic training at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England under the guidance of Ajahn Sumedho. Seventeen years later, she moved to the USA with the intention of creating greater opportunities for women monastics. In 2011, she received full Bhikkhunī Ordination, becoming part of the worldwide revival of the Theravāda Bhikkhunī Order.
Ayya Ānandabodhī is devoted to sharing the Dhamma with warmth and clarity. Her practice is informed by the early Buddhist scriptures, life in community, and the direct, uncomplicated wisdom found in nature. Those who listen to her teachings can expect a grounded, reflective presence and an invitation to explore the path with openness and confidence.