Ayya Karunika

Born in Sri Lanka, Ayya Kārunikā has lived in Australia for more than two decades, where her journey has taken her from a career in science to life in the forests as a Buddhist monastic.

She received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns Monastery in Western Australia, where she trained for more than a decade under Ajahn Hāsapaññā. Now she is the senior resident monastic at Santi Forest Monastery in New South Wales, Australia, as well as the spiritual director of the New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust.

She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 20 years. With a PhD in Microbiology and a background as a scientist, she brings a curious, practical and clear-minded approach to the Buddha’s teachings.

Ayya Kārunikā is known for sharing the Dhamma in a down-to-earth and accessible way, drawing on both her monastic training and her wide experience of life.

She has also been involved in building monasteries and working with volunteers, and is deeply committed to supporting the growth of the Bhikkhunī Sangha and the establishment of new places for Bhikkhunīs in the Theravāda forest tradition around the world.