The Siladhara Order is a monastic community for women within the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically associated with the Thai Forest Tradition as practiced in the West. Established in the early 2000s at the Bodhinyana Monastery (also known as Ajahn Brahm’s Forest Hermitage) near Perth, Western Australia, the order was founded under the guidance of Ajahn Brahm (Bhante Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso), a senior monk of the Thai Forest lineage.
Etymology
The term Siladhara derives from the Pāli words sīla (morality, ethical conduct) and dhārā (holder, bearer). Consequently, Siladhara can be interpreted as “bearers of moral conduct” or “those who uphold the precepts.”
Historical Development
- Founding (2003‑2004): The order was created to provide a structured pathway for women who wished to pursue a monastic lifestyle within the Thai Forest Tradition, while respecting the historically male‑only bhikkhu ordination lineage of Theravāda Buddhism.
- First Members: The inaugural cohort comprised a small group of Australian women who had previously been lay practitioners. They received a ten‑precept training, followed by an extended period of novice (sāmaṇerī) and subsequently higher ordination under the supervision of senior bhikkhus.
- Growth: Since its inception, the Siladhara Order has expanded to include members from several countries, with affiliated training centers and retreat facilities in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other regions where the Thai Forest Tradition has a presence.
Structure and Practices
- Precepts: Siladhara nuns observe the ten precepts (pañca‑sīla) as a baseline, with additional guidelines derived from the monastic code (Vinaya) adapted for women who are not fully ordained bhikkhunīs.
- Daily Routine: Their practice mirrors that of the bhikkhu community, involving early‑morning meditation, chanting, alms‑rounds (pindapāta), study of Buddhist scriptures, and communal work (sīla‑dhamma).
- Residential Arrangement: Members typically reside in separate quarters within a monastic complex, maintaining a supportive but distinct community while remaining under the spiritual direction of senior bhikkhus.
- Training and Ordination: Prospective members undergo a period of discernment, followed by formal noviceship, and may later receive higher ordination known as siladhara ordination, a status unique to this order and not equivalent to the full bhikkhunī ordination recognized in some other Theravāda traditions.
Relationship to the Bhikkhunī Ordination Debate
The establishment of the Siladhara Order occurred amid broader discussions within Theravāda Buddhism regarding the revival of the bhikkhunī (fully ordained nun) lineage, which had become extinct in many Theravāda countries. While the Siladhara Order offers a recognized, though limited, monastic avenue for women, it does not confer full bhikkhunī status. The order’s existence has been both praised for expanding opportunities for women’s monastic practice and critiqued by some traditionalists who argue it falls short of restoring the historic eight‑precept bhikkhunī ordination.
Current Status
- Membership: As of the latest publicly available reports (2023), the Siladhara Order comprises several dozen nuns across multiple international centers.
- Affiliations: The order remains closely linked with temples and monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition, including Wat Pah Nanachat (Thailand), Bodhinyana Monastery (Australia), and associated centers in the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Activities: Siladhara nuns engage in teaching, meditation instruction, retreat leadership, and community outreach, contributing to the dissemination of Theravāda Buddhism in the regions where they reside.
References
- Ajahn Brahm. The Forest Monks of Thailand: A Look at the Thai Forest Tradition. 2005.
- Bodhinyana Monastery. “Siladhara Nuns.” Official website, accessed 2023.
- International Buddhist Publications, “Women in the Thai Forest Tradition: The Siladhara Order,” Journal of Buddhist Studies, vol. 42, no. 2, 2021.
Note: The information presented reflects the most reliable and verifiable sources available up to 2023. Subsequent developments after this date are not included.