Post updated November 15, 2025

Welcoming the Bhikkhuni Sangha Back to Its Roots - to our Buddhist Homeland - Where it All Began

We’re happy to announce the Footsteps of Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī Honouring Women in Dhamma December 2025 Pilgrimage.

Thank you for your help in making the November 2nd Benefit at Dharma College a success!

The pilgrimage is scheduled for the third week of December 2025, directly after the the International Tipitaka Chanting in Buddhagaya, which is being led up by India for the first time. The pilgrimage is being conceived and organized collaboratively by United Theravāda Bhikkhunī Saṅgha International (UTBSI), the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International (LBDFI), and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nalanda (Deemed University), Nalanda.

Departing from Tilaurakot Nepal - emerging from the Palace gates, and following the footsteps of Mahapajapati Gotami and the 500 Founding Mothers of the Bhikkhuni Sangha on their Great Renunciation Trail, to the newly rediscovered Mahapajapati Parinibbana Stupa in Vaishali.

This is for Bhikkhunis of all three Yanas:

- Theravāda

- Mahāyāna

- Vajrayāna

For the 2025 Pilgrimage, planning for a total group of 108 pilgrims.

There will be a documentary film trailer recorded.

And then in 2026, there is an aspirational dedication for a Carika of 500 international Bhikkhunis, making a high-quality documentary film, and offering a Mahapajapati Gotami statue at the stupa in Vaishali, plus 500 bhikkhuni statues for the Indian Bhikkhuni Sangha and participants.

We are welcoming blessings & moral support from National and International Bhikkhuni Associations and Buddhist woman's organizations.

See also:

• Draft Informational Brochure about the pilgrimage, from LBDFI

• The page about the pilgrimage on the LBDFI website

• “Introducing the 2025 December Launching of the “Footsteps of Mahāprajāpatī Gotamī: Great Renunciation Trail Pilgrimage” — Presentation by Deepak Anand from Nava Nalanda India

We hope for a number of Bhikkhunis to be able to join this historical event, to honor the very beginnings of the Bhikkhuni Sangha. Support is also needed for the Documentary film, to document this historic event.

Your support is very welcome.

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See our other recent posts for more information on the Indian Bhikkhuni Sangha Initiative:

• “Sharing the First Fruits” of the 2025-2026 Indian Bhikkhuni Support Project

• India Bhikkhuni Support Project Update: Articles, exciting upcoming plans, how you can help!