Mahapajapati Foundation

07/31/2026

July 30th 2026

Today is the beginning of Vassa (3 Month Rains Retreat) for Theravada Buddhist monastics. Mahapajapati Monastery dedicates the merit of Vassa to Venerable Bhikkhuni Gunasari Mahatheri, co-founder and Abbess, who returned to the elements three months ago, on April 30th, 2026. May we all continue to support Venerable Bhikkhuni Gunasari Mahatheri's aspiration of a renunciate community for women living the Buddha's teaching. Mahapajapati Monastery continues to move forward as a refuge for female monastics in the Theravada Buddhist lineage.

Mahapajapati Monastery is closed for lay drop-in visitors and lay overnight guests until November 1st. All lodging at the monastery is reserved for female monastics only.

Female Theravada Buddhist monastics are welcome to visit or retreat at Mahapajapati Monastery throughout the Vassa period. Please kindly fill out the application form if you're a monastic interested in visiting or retreating at the monastery:

https://forms.gle/71biBEbfHHHMNNp67

Laypeople are welcome to attend the Community Vipassana Meditation gatherings every Wednesday, 6:45pm - 8pm either in-person or Zoom. Mahapajapati Monastery stewards continue to maintain the land and facilities while practicing meditation and studying Dhamma daily

Please visit www.mahapajapatiinfo.wordpress.com, instagram, or facebook for updates.

For contact, please email [email protected] or call/text 442-269-1934.

With Metta,

Mahapajapati Foundation

07/07/2026

OPEN: Vassa 2026 (Three-Month Rains Retreat) Residency Application

Mahapajapati Monastery's Vassa 2026 Residency Application is now open.

We invite experienced Theravada Buddhist female monastics to retreat at Mahapajapati Monastery from July 30th 2026 - October 26th 2026. Bhikkhuni mentors are available online for interviews. Lay stewards are available as much as possible to support the retreat while maintaining the land and facilities. There is a vast library of Buddhist texts available for self-study. All monastics are expected to follow the Buddha's teachings.

To apply, please kindly complete the form with as much information as possible about your Vassa experience, ordination and lineage, and aspirations for this retreat.

Vassa Residency Application: https://forms.gle/i1hAJmf8ia1UVXAfA

We look forward to supporting Theravada Buddhist female monastics for this year's Vassa.

For any questions, please email us: [email protected].

With Metta,

The Mahapajapati Foundation

06/24/2026

Community Vipassana Meditation Tonight! 6:45pm - 8pm PST available in-person and Zoom. To attend and join the mailing list for reminders, please fill out this form:
https://forms.gle/fpTEuwg16piZZms68
With Metta,
Mahapajapati Monastery

**TONIGHT** Community Vipassana Meditation

Mahapajapati Monastery is hosting weekly Community Vipassana meditation. These gatherings occur every Wednesday, 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm PST, available in-person and Zoom online. All practitioners and monastics are welcome to join. If you are a beginner, feel free to reach out to us, and we can offer guidance.

Agenda

6:45 pm – Arrivals, 5 Precept Chanting in Pali & English, Lineage Inspiration Reading

7:00 pm – 7:45 pm – Vipassana Meditation

7:45 pm – 7:50 pm – Metta Chanting, Bow to Buddha & Mahapajapati Bhikkhuni Sangha

In-person meditators are welcome to stay until 8 pm.

Please fill out the form to receive a Zoom link and material for 5 Precept Chanting in Pali & English:

https://forms.gle/fpTEuwg16piZZms68

These gatherings are offered as dana.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions.

We look forward to meditating with you!

06/17/2026

**TONIGHT** Community Vipassana Meditation

Mahapajapati Monastery is hosting weekly Community Vipassana meditation. These gatherings occur every Wednesday, 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm PST, available in-person and Zoom online. All practitioners and monastics are welcome to join. If you are a beginner, feel free to reach out to us, and we can offer guidance.

Agenda

6:45 pm – Arrivals, 5 Precept Chanting in Pali & English, Lineage Inspiration Reading

7:00 pm – 7:45 pm – Vipassana Meditation

7:45 pm – 7:50 pm – Metta Chanting, Bow to Buddha & Mahapajapati Bhikkhuni Sangha

In-person meditators are welcome to stay until 8 pm.

Please fill out the form to receive a Zoom link and material for 5 Precept Chanting in Pali & English:

https://forms.gle/fpTEuwg16piZZms68

These gatherings are offered as dana.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions.

We look forward to meditating with you!

06/15/2026

Ayya Gunasari Memorial Thank-you

June 15, 2026

Dear Dhamma Friends and Family,

Thank you all so much for joining us in-person and online for the memorial service for Venerable Bhikkhuni Gunasari Mahatheri (September 27, 1932-April 30, 2026) on June 13, 2026, at Mahapajapati Monastery in Yucca Valley.

The memorial was a beautiful tribute to her, and it was a gift to hear all of the lovely memories and stories. A special thank you again to all the speakers, everyone involved with the ceremony, and all the supporters of Ayya Gunasari, the Bhikkhunis, and Mahapajapati Monastery over the years. The list is long, and we surely forgot some names, but please know we are grateful to you nonetheless.

We include here links to:

- The Zoom memorial recording from June 13, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFsuHb0Y8zA

-The Sentiments for Ayya video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?is=hXLCkQqHJz6S_mb9&v=9_VwgpuUtcM&feature=youtu.be

-Ayya Gunasari’s 93rd Birthday video tribute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71FvEEhJPOw

Also a google docs link to a copy of the memorial program
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EjLuo-KJ7ZwUUFbsfkeQ6CEs-VM4QL9aF7y0de9Vsps/edit?usp=sharing

We are forever grateful to Ayya Gunasari. May she reach Nibbana.

With much gratitude, love, and metta,

Ayya Gunasari’s Family

**Photos from Maw Shein Win, Bea Jutiseema, Phoebe Elliott**
**More photos will be posted**
Please kindly send any photos to [email protected]

06/08/2026

Please RSVP for the memorial if you are planning on coming as we need to have a count. You may also leave some sentiments on the RSVP form if you wish. On the day of the memorial, we will have the birthday video playing & we will share your sentiments as well: https://forms.gle/3V7fxJycVDSzPM4U7

For any questions, please email: [email protected].

With Metta,
Mahapajapati Monastery

Please RSVP to Venerable Bhikkhuni Gunasari Mahatheri's memorial service on June 13th, 2026: https://forms.gle/3V7fxJycVDSzPM4U7

In-person attendance is primarily for monastics and close family and friends. We appreciate your kind understanding.

For any questions, please email [email protected].

Thank you!

05/29/2026

Please RSVP to Venerable Bhikkhuni Gunasari Mahatheri's memorial service on June 13th, 2026: https://forms.gle/3V7fxJycVDSzPM4U7

All are welcome to share sentiments for Venerable Bhikkhuni Gunasari's Memorial Service. We will create a video to play that displays your name, sentiment, and relationship to Ayya Gunasari. To share a sentiment, please submit with your RSVP.

In-person attendance is primarily for monastics and close family and friends. We appreciate your kind understanding.

For any questions, please email: [email protected].

With Metta,
Mahapajapati Monastery

Please RSVP to Venerable Bhikkhuni Gunasari Mahatheri's memorial service on June 13th, 2026: https://forms.gle/3V7fxJycVDSzPM4U7

In-person attendance is primarily for monastics and close family and friends. We appreciate your kind understanding.

For any questions, please email [email protected].

Thank you!

05/21/2026

Please RSVP to Venerable Bhikkhuni Gunasari Mahatheri's memorial service on June 13th, 2026: https://forms.gle/3V7fxJycVDSzPM4U7

In-person attendance is primarily for monastics and close family and friends. We appreciate your kind understanding.

For any questions, please email [email protected].

Thank you!