Over four eons ago, during the proclamation of the certainty of Buddhahood, when the ascetic Sumedha was given this assurance by the Dipankara Buddha, the female ascetic Sumitra wished to become the loving wife of ascetic Sumedha in his journey toward the attainment of Buddhahood.
Like a shadow that never leaves, in each life they met, Princess Yashodara sacrificed her entire being and supported the Bodhisatta in fulfilling the ten perfections (pāramitās).
At times, she was like a mother to the Bodhisatta, supporting him by bringing food and other necessities while he led the life of a celibate ascetic. At other times, she became his savior. When the Bodhisatta was threatened by wild animals or by thieves in the forest, she would place herself before him, even sacrificing her own life to protect his. In the Channa Kinnara Jātaka, she drew upon the power of her pure virtue to call upon the god Sakka for aid when her beloved husband was struck by a poison arrow loosed by a wicked, lustful king.
Throughout their journey as husband and wife, Yashodara never once thought of any man other than her beloved husband. Even when the Bodhisatta passed away before her, while she was still young and beautiful, she never accepted a proposal from another, but instead remained faithful through countless lives, living in celibacy. In their long journey together, she never turned to anger or hostility toward her husband. Even when he gave away the cherished children she had borne him—without a word to her—she did not grow upset or resentful. Instead, she always rejoiced and blessed her husband in his great aspiration for Buddhahood.
In the present society, it is even unthinkable for a wife to hold such noble qualities. That is the reason, she is known as a gem among all women, the greatest woman among all females. If there is a woman in this world that is worthy of worship, that is the arahant bhikkhuni Yashodhara for she held such admirable noble qualities which is rarely seen in a woman.
From the moment she wished to be the wife of the bodhisatta, up until the last life as princess yashodhara, she has never cheated on her husband by engaging in sexual misconduct.
Even after becoming ordained, she lived a very simple life without becoming attached to gain and honour. Being the wife of the supreme buddha in the lay life, she was so famous and popular. However, she avoided such fame and went to live in remote areas and quickly fulfilled her spiritual life. Although she was the foremost bhikkhuni among bhikkunis who have attained the 6-deep knowledge (abingna), she lived like a ten-precept nun who just ordained that day with such humbleness and humility. At the age of 78, after seeking permission from the buddha, to reach parinibbana, upon the request of the buddha to show psychic powers, Arahant bikkhuni Yashodhara displayed miraculous psychic powers, showing the world, that women too have the capability to become supreme if this mind is highly developed. Amongst the crying and lamentation of devas and humans the noble bhikkhuni Yashodhara reached parinibbana like a lamp that is extinguished.
Over four eons ago, during the proclamation of the certainty of Buddhahood, when the ascetic Sumedha was given this assurance by the Dipankara Buddha, the female ascetic Sumitra wished to become the loving wife of ascetic Sumedha in his journey toward the attainment of Buddhahood.
Like a shadow that never leaves, in each life they met, Princess Yashodara sacrificed her entire being and supported the Bodhisatta in fulfilling the ten perfections (pāramitās).
At times, she was like a mother to the Bodhisatta, supporting him by bringing food and other necessities while he led the life of a celibate ascetic. At other times, she became his savior. When the Bodhisatta was threatened by wild animals or by thieves in the forest, she would place herself before him, even sacrificing her own life to protect his. In the Channa Kinnara Jātaka, she drew upon the power of her pure virtue to call upon the god Sakka for aid when her beloved husband was struck by a poison arrow loosed by a wicked, lustful king.
Throughout their journey as husband and wife, Yashodara never once thought of any man other than her beloved husband. Even when the Bodhisatta passed away before her, while she was still young and beautiful, she never accepted a proposal from another, but instead remained faithful through countless lives, living in celibacy. In their long journey together, she never turned to anger or hostility toward her husband. Even when he gave away the cherished children she had borne him—without a word to her—she did not grow upset or resentful. Instead, she always rejoiced and blessed her husband in his great aspiration for Buddhahood.
In the present society, it is even unthinkable for a wife to hold such noble qualities. That is the reason, she is known as a gem among all women, the greatest woman among all females. If there is a woman in this world that is worthy of worship, that is the arahant bhikkhuni Yashodhara for she held such admirable noble qualities which is rarely seen in a woman.
From the moment she wished to be the wife of the bodhisatta, up until the last life as princess yashodhara, she has never cheated on her husband by engaging in sexual misconduct.
Even after becoming ordained, she lived a very simple life without becoming attached to gain and honour. Being the wife of the supreme buddha in the lay life, she was so famous and popular. However, she avoided such fame and went to live in remote areas and quickly fulfilled her spiritual life. Although she was the foremost bhikkhuni among bhikkunis who have attained the 6-deep knowledge (abingna), she lived like a ten-precept nun who just ordained that day with such humbleness and humility. At the age of 78, after seeking permission from the buddha, to reach parinibbana, upon the request of the buddha to show psychic powers, Arahant bikkhuni Yashodhara displayed miraculous psychic powers, showing the world, that women too have the capability to become supreme if this mind is highly developed. Amongst the crying and lamentation of devas and humans the noble bhikkhuni Yashodhara reached parinibbana like a lamp that is extinguished.
May our heartfelt homage be to the venerable Bhikkuni Yashodhara, Rahula’s beloved mother!
The Great & Powerful
Declaration of Truth
Declaration of Truth
By the power of this truth,
just as darkness disappears when the sun rises,
may all your troubles
—whether human or non-human, visible or invisible—
completely vanish……
The Great & Powerful
Declaration of Truth
By the power of this truth,
just as darkness disappears
when the sun rises,
may all your troubles
—whether human or non-human,
visible or invisible—
completely vanish……
As we read the verses of the noble nuns,
it is as though the venerable Arahant Therīs themselves
stand before us,
their voices gently speaking to our hearts,
revealing the radiant purity of their minds.
How wondrous it is to behold
the reverence with which they preserved
and practiced the Blessed One’s words.
Through their verses,
the true disciples of the Buddha are made known—
those who walked the path to its very end.
These sacred utterances are like a shining mirror,
reflecting the stainless lives of the noble Saṅgha,
to whom we turn with faith, declaring:
“Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.”
As we read the verses of the noble nuns,
it is as though the venerable Arahant Therīs themselves
stand before us,
their voices gently speaking to our hearts,
revealing the radiant purity of their minds.
How wondrous it is to behold
the reverence with which they preserved
and practiced the Blessed One’s words.
Through their verses,
the true disciples of the Buddha are made known—
those who walked the path to its very end.
These sacred utterances are like a shining mirror,
reflecting the stainless lives of the noble Saṅgha,
to whom we turn with faith, declaring:
“Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.”
Our Monastery
With the propagation of the Dhamma by the Mahamevnawa Meditation Center, women once again received the opportunity to be ordained as nuns in the dispensation of the Supreme Buddha Gautama.
Under the guidance of the Most Venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero, the Mahamevnawa Anagarika Monastery was established for women who wished to devote their lives to the practice of the Dhamma. The first and main nuns’ monastery was built in Mutugala, Dambadeniya, on September 10, 2003, with five resident Anagarika nuns. It included a small Buddha hall, a small alms hall, and two lodgings.
Beginning on a Binara full moon day—the very day when the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha was first established in the world—the Mahamevnawa Anagarika Monastery has offered the warmth of the Dispensation, providing female devotees with the opportunity to cultivate the path of Dhamma.”
As a sister branch of the main monastery, the Udupila Anagarika Monastery was established, offering many lay devotees in the Udupila area the rare opportunity to gather merit into their lives.
The monastery offers both adults and children the opportunity to learn the sublime Dhamma, to offer dāna, and to cultivate wholesome qualities. With the construction of the Yashodhara Maha Stupa, in 2013—the only stūpa in the world built in honor of Arahant Therī Yashodhara—many devotees were able to seek the blessings of the great Arahant Bhikkhunī, the beloved mother of Prince Rāhula. The unveiling of the mesmerizing statue of the passion-free Bhikkhunī in 2020 awakened love and devotion in the hearts of countless devotees, who were blessed to catch a glimpse of the beautiful vihāra erected in her honor.
As a sister branch of the main monastery, the Udupila Anagarika Monastery was established, offering many lay devotees in the Udupila area the rare opportunity to gather merit into their lives.
The monastery offers both adults and children the opportunity to learn the sublime Dhamma, to offer dāna, and to cultivate wholesome qualities. With the construction of the Yashodhara Maha Stupa, in 2013—the only stūpa in the world built in honor of Arahant Therī Yashodhara—many devotees were able to seek the blessings of the great Arahant Bhikkhunī, the beloved mother of Prince Rāhula. The unveiling of the mesmerizing statue of the passion-free Bhikkhunī in 2020 awakened love and devotion in the hearts of countless devotees, who were blessed to catch a glimpse of the beautiful vihāra erected in her honor.
What you can find in the monastery when you visit ?
Dhamma Hall
The Glorious Bodhi Tree
The Yashodhara Vihara
The Yashodhara Maha stupa
Dhamma for You
Vimāna Vatthu (Stories of Heavenly Mansions)
From Suttas
From Suttas
Jātaka Tales
Jātaka Tales
Female Disciples of the Buddha
Female Disciples of the Buddha
“O my Glorious Buddha, I nourished your physical body,
but you nourished my spiritual body.
I fed you with breast milk,
but you fed me with the milk of the Dhamma,
which destroys suffering and saṃsāra.
It is a rare blessing to behold a Buddha.
I long to see and pay homage
to your lotus-like feet.
Please stretch them forth for me.”
— The Great Arahant Therī Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī
If you are interested in learning the Dhamma in English, you can also visit the ‘Buddhist Nuns of Mahamevnawa’ located in Colombo 7, which conducts English Dhamma programs for adults and children.
