- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
May 5, 2026
💐🙏🏵️🏵️🏵️🙏💐 In Memoriam. "A Life Dedicated to Dhamma"
Venerable Bhikkhunī Guṇasārī Mahātherī (neé Dr. Khin Swe Win, M.D.), d. April 30th 2026. Beloved Dhamma Sister, faithful and brave.
Ayyā Gunasārī was born on the 27th of September 1932, and she passed away just as the Vesak moon was waxing full on the 30th of April 2026 in California, Myanmar date May 1st 2026. She was age 93, with 22 vassas as a Bhikkhunī.
Ayyā was the first Burmese woman to higher ordain as a Bhikkhunī in Sri Lanka, at Mt. Lavinia Tapodanaramaya, together with the first Thai bhikkhunī to higher ordain in Sri Lanka Venerable Bhikkhunī (Luang Mae) Dhammananda Mahātherī, and the first American-born woman to ordain as a bhikkhunī in Sri Lanka, Ven. Sudhamma Mahātherī.
Already a mother and grandmother, after a full career as a medical doctor, Venerable Dr. Gunasārī entered monastic life at age 70, at the encouragement of her late most venerable Vipassana teacher Sayadaw U Sīlānanda, and the support of our chief Sangha Nāyaka Thero most venerable Dr. Walpola Piyānanda Mahāthero.
After 20+ years of active dedicated Sangha work as a Bhikkhunī, Ayyā passed away swiftly and quietly at Mahāpajāpatī Monastery, in the presence of Ven. Bhikkhunī Dhammavarā and her hospice nurse. She had been in hospice for several months before passing away, with Ven. Dhammavarā staying at Mahapajāpati with her, and with excellent hospice care.
Ayyā Gunasārī was Founding Abbess of Mahāpajāpatī Monastery of Yucca Valley California, cofounder of the Theravāda Bhikkhunī Association of America TBANA, a Bhikkhunī Preceptor (Pavattinī), Ācarinī & Mentor, and Faithful Student of the Buddha Dhamma, Faithful Practitioner of Vipassana Meditation in the Mahasi Tradition, Beloved Teacher, Mentor, Dhamma Mother, Dhamma Sister and Dhamma friend. She was also a beloved former medical doctor, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
There have been requests for photos, so i've looked into my files and folders, and share a collection here. Some are from my collection, some from Dhammadharini, some from Mahapajapati Foundation and the former Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery, and some from others. I apologize in advance if i've not included the photo you are looking for, and warmly welcome and invite you to share more photos and memories in the comments.
More information will be shared here and on our Dhammadharini page when we know more. My sincerest condolences to all Ayyā's relatives, students, and friends.
May we strive on with diligence.
I invite all Ayyā's Venerable Teachers & Kalyānamittas, Venerable Bhikkhunīs & Dhamma friends to join us in practice of Māranasati meditation and in contemplation of the Dhamma, dedicated to Ayyā. You are also warmly welcome to join us in reciting the traditional Theravāda funerary chants from near or far, or any Dhamma teachings or blessing chants that you feel most appropriate.
Deeply remembering -
"All that arises must come to cease."
"It is only suffering that arises, it is only suffering that ceases."
"In its passing there is peace."
Nibbānam pāramaṁ sukhaṁ.
Nibbānaṁ pāramaṁ sivaṁ.
Natthi santi paraṁ sukhaṁ.
"Nibbāna is the highest bliss."
"There is no happiness greater than peace."
Dhamma thoughts that were on my mind leading up to Ayyā Gunasārī's passing, most appropriate now.
May Ayyā's enormous dedication to and extensive study of the Sutta Dhamma and Abhidhamma of the Buddha, and her many years of faithful and dedication Vipassana meditation retreats and practice carry her well.
What an amazing blessing for a faithful daughter of the Buddha to pass away on the day remembered by so many as the Mahāparinibbāna Day of our Blessed One.
May Ayyā enjoy the most excellent bliss of Nibbāna.
Peace and Dhamma joy to all beings,
✍️ Tathālokā Therī
(first) Vesākha full moon, May 1st 2026
This photo was taken after we had founded Dhammadharini and the North American Bhikkhuni Association, on the occasion that there came to be four Theravāda Bhikkhunīs living in California for the first time ever.
My deep appreciation to Ayyā Gunasārī and her family for their encouragement and faithful support of myself and of Dhammadharini in our early founding years, which made an enormous difference, both in moral and material support.
This biography is from the first modern Bhikkhuni Anthology _Let the Light Shine_ to which Ayyā Gunasārī was a key contributor.
Ayyā's chapter was named "Determined to do it" - she was truly a courageous one.
Last September, Ayyā Gunasārī turned 93. This video was offered for her 93rd Birthday by her Bhikkhuni sisters and students, friends and family.
At Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Southern California on the occasion of four bhikkhunīs coming to live in California.
Left to right:
Ven. Bhikkhunī Saccavādī from Myanamar (later returned to lay life)
Ven. Bhikkhunī Tathālokā Mahātherī, founder of Dhammadharini
Ven. Bhikkhunī Gunasārī Mahātherī (d. April 30th 2026), later to become founding abbess of Mahapajapati Monastery, Yucca Valley, Mohave desert, Southern California
Ven. Bhikkhunī Sāranī from Canada (later returned to lay life)
2003 Mt. Lavinia Tapodanaramaya
Bhikkhuni higher ordination of:
(right) Ven. Sudhamma Mahātherī, first American-born woman to ordain as a bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka, founder of Charlotte Buddhist Vihara
(middle) Ven. Dhammananda Mahātherī, first Thai woman to ordain as a bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka
(left) late Ven. Dr. Gunasārī Mahātherī, first Burmese woman to ordain as a bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka
photo courtesy of Ven. Sudhamma and Dhammadharini.
Bhikkhuni Higher ordination certificate of Ven. Bhikkhunī Guṇasārī (neé Dr. Khin Swe WIN). See the next image to the right for full names.
Photo courtesy of Mahapajapati Foundation.
Full names of the Ordaining Bhikkhuni Sangha & Bhikkhu Sangha at Mt Lavinia Tapodanaramaya on 28 Feb 2003.
photo courtesy of Ven. Sudhamma, Charlotte Buddhist Vihara
Photo of three of the new bhikkhunīs in 2003, Mt Lavinia:
(left to right)
Ven. Charlotte Sudhamma Bhikkhuni
Ven. Dhammananda Bhikkhuni
Ven. Gunasārī Bhikkhunī (d. 30 Apr 2026)
photo courtesy of Ayyā Sudhammā
Visiting Wat Buddhanusorn Temple in the San Francisco East Bay. This was Dhammadharini's founding year, 2005, twenty years ago.
(left to right) Nekkhammā Carol Porter (now Ayyā Suvijjānā Therī), Anagārikā Santussikā (now Ayyā Santussikā Therī), Ayyā Gunasārī (d. 30 Apr 2026), Ayyā Tathālokā Therī
Loung Por Jumnian Retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, the first time they had an opportunity to offer lunch to both the Bhikkhu Sangha and to Bhikkhunis together.
(left to right) Ayyā Sudhammā, Ayyā Tathālokā Therī, late Ayyā Gunasārī, then-Anagārikā now-Bhikkhunī-Therī Ayyā Santussikā
(Bhikkhu Sangha is seated adjacent just out of view on the viewer's left)
Ayyā Gunasārī joined for the First Theravāda Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha Recitation (Uddesana) in North America, officially recognizing and affirming the presence of Bhikkhunī Sangha in North America in 2007.
Many thanks to Roseanne Freese for this article about it "Turning Back Towards Freedom" (one way "Pātimokkha" is explicated).
Here the assembled Bhikkhuni Sangha is establishing the Sĩmā for the Pātimokkha Recitation. Ayyā Gunasārī is closest to the viewer on the viewer's right.
Commemorative photo from the first Theravāda Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha Recitation in North America, hosted by Carolina Buddhist Vihara, Ayyā Gunasārī on viewers' left.
2007, from the Pindapata on the day of the First Bhikkhuni Pātimokkha Recitation in North American.
That's Ayyā Gunasārī's back center right here, with Ayyā Sudhammā on right.
I included this photo especially because late dear venerable Ayyā Gunasārī said to me so touchingly afterwards:
"This was my first time to be able to receive food as pindapāta in my alms bowl, even though i've already been ordained a bhikkhunī for several years."
She said it was meaningful to her.
Brave Venerables!
2007: "First International Congress on Buddhist Women" in Hamburg Germany. Ayyā Gunasārī and i were both invited as presenters, as was Ven Dhammananda Bhikkhuni from Thailand. They had all been higher ordained as bhikkhunīs for just 4 years back then.
(left to right) late Ayyā Gunasārī from Burma, Ayyā Sudhammā from USA, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Tathālokā Therī from USA, Ven. (Luang Mae) Dhammananda Bhikkhuni from Thailand.
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Invitation from HH the Dalai Lama
That winter (2007-2008), late Ayyā Gunasārī from Burma and USA, late Ayyā Satimā from Sri Lanka and USA and I travelled on an extended trip to India together.
Here we are at the Buddha Lena ancient caves monastery in Aurgangaba, Maharashtra, for International Bhikkhuni Parisad.
Photo of one of many newspaper articles from winter (2007-2008).
Late Ayyā Gunasārī from Burma and USA, late Ayyā Satimā from Sri Lanka and USA and I travelled on an extended trip to India together.
Here we are pictured at the Buddha Lena ancient caves monastery in Aurgangaba, Maharashtra, for International Bhikkhuni Parisad.
2007-2008 winter in India, here we are inside the Igatpuri great Vipassana pagoda, which was at that time under construction. Ayyā Gunasārī had very much wished to visit this place.
It was a matter of pride the role Myanmar traditions were playing in bringing back Buddhist Vipassana meditation and Tipitaka to it's homeland of India.
Most of the Indian Bhikkhus we met had undertaken one or more Vipassana meditation courses through the Goenka tradition.
2007-2008 Winter arriving in Bodhgaya for the second (or third) International Tipitaka Chanting.
Wangmo Dixey of Light of Buddhadharma Foundation International came to welcome the Indian and US delegation of Bhikkhunis who had arrived together via train from Maharashtra, Ayyā Gunasārī and i among them.
You can see Ayyā Gunasārī on the viewer's far left. I'm sitting on the far right with Indian Bhikkhuni Sanghamitra.
This is the bhikkhunis' dorm. Wangmo is kindly checking we have everything we need. It was my first time meeting her - even though we were both coming from the San Francisco East Bay!
2008 Winter: Buddha Vision Bhikkhuni Training,
hosted by Maha Bodhi Society of India - Bodhgaya
- with International Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Teachers
Ayyā Gunasārī is second from the viewers right, behind late Ayyā Satimā.
Breakfast Dāna for the teachers and graduates of the Buddha Vision Bhikkhuni Training offered by supporters of course co-teacher Ayyā Santinī, from Theravāda Bhikkhunī of Indonesia (front center).
Late dear Venerable Ayyā Gunasārī is back row second from left.
This was the first time such a course and training were offered for the Indian Bhikkhuni Sangha and Sāmanerī in the past 10 years since they had received higher ordination in Bodhgaya in 1998.
Meanwhile, there had been no Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha Recitation and no further Bhikkhunī ordinations during those ten years, due to the lack of training.
We were able to support and join for the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha on the Uposatha. And, by the following year (2009) Bhikkhuni training and ordinations resumed for Indian bhikkhunīs.
Ayyā Gunasārī with Dhammapālī Therese and...maybe Dave? This looks like Dave's amazing retreat place in the Mohave desert. Perhaps 2008.
Ayyā Gunasārī, after bhikkhunī ordination, lived in a Burmese Vipassana retreat center, but they did not recognize her as a bhikkhunī.
Later she moved to Samādhi House at Dhamma Dena Desert Vipassana, on Ruth's invitation.
Subsequently she was invited to come to Therese's retreat place to found Mahapajapati Monastery.
Mahapajapati is not far from here.
Back when Ayyā Sudarshana, Ayyā Sucintā, Ayyā Sudhammā, Ayyā Gunasāri and Ayyā Saccavādī co-founded North American Bhikkhuni Association, one of our early determinations was to gather for Bhikkhuni Pātimokkha Recitation (we began, as previous in 2007).
Another determination was to begin with Theravāda bhikkhunīs offering Sāmanerī ordinations (for the previous 20 years they'd been offered by Theravāda bhikkhus only in North America. We began this in 2008.
Another determination in 2005 was, within 5 years, to begin offering Theravāda Dual Bhikkhunī Ordination in North American. We began this in 2010 five years later --
-- this was "Another Step Forward" by Amy Boyer, published in Buddhadharma magazine.
Ayyā Gunasāri was there for this, as a member of the ordaining Bhikkhuni Sangha.
Early Days at Mahapajapati Monastery with (left to right) new abbess Ayyā Gunasārī, Daw Uttamanyani (now bhikkhunī), Sāmanerī Dhammapāli (Therese), and late Ayyā Dīpā Bhikkhunī.
Memorial announcement for Ayyā Dīpā (viewer's left).
Ayyā Gunasārī is pictured on right.
Photo location: Mahāpajāpatī Monastery in the Mohave Desert.
Ayyā Dīpā was very helpful in establishing the monastery, and so much appreciated by Ayyā Gunasārī.
Ayyā Gunasārī begins serving as a bhikkhuni mentor and preceptor, with encouragement and support of Bhante Piyananda, and the growing Bhikkhuni Sangha in North America. Photo at Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles.
Second Sāmanerī ordination of Chutima (Sāmanerī Dhammamittā) who first went forth ordained by my late preceptor Venerable Dr Havanpola Ratanasāra Nāyaka Mahāthero in 1998.
It was too hard to continue at that time, so she returned to monastic life more than 10 years later when things were better established, with Bhante Piyananda and Ayyā Gunasārī's support.
Photo with SoCal Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sangha beneath the Bodhi tree at Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles.
Photo with California Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sanghas beneath the Bodhi tree at Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles.
Ayyā Gunasārī is seated third from left in the front row between me and Ayyā Sudarshana.
I'm not who the Sayadaw or Bhante here?
Ayyā Gunasārī is on right, seated with Sacca Bricker (formerly Ven Bhikkhuni Saccavādī) right center, and Ayyā Uttamanyānī (formally long-time 8 precept nun, now bhikkhunī).
All were born in Myanmar (Burma).
(left to right) Ayyā Gunasārī with Ayyā Dhammadhirā from USA, Ayyā Uttamanyānĩ from Myanmar (above) and Ayyā Parāyanasirī from USA. Both Ayyā Dhammadhirā and Ayyā Parāyanasirī have returned to lay life.
Ayyā Gunasārī (center) at Mahāpajāpatī Monastery with late Samaneri Lottermoser Akincana Friedgard (left) who long lived in Myanamar, together with Ayyā Vimala of Tilorian and another - all who had entered monastic life and practiced dedicatedly in Myanmar. Late Ayyā Gunasārĩ is bhikkhunī preceptor of Ayyā Vimalā from Belgium.
Bhikkhunĩ Upasampadā in the Sima Hall at Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles, with Ayya Sudarshana and Ayyā Gunasārĩ serving as Bhikkhuni preceptors.
Ayya Gunasārī began serving as preceptor giving temporary ordination opportunities to women at Mahāpajāpatī.
Especially Asian-American women of Theravāda traditions were so happy to have this opportunity. A few have continued on in Bhikkhuni life.
Bhikkhuni Upasampadā in the Sīmā Hall at Dharma Vijaya in Los Angeles, with Ayyā Gunasārī serving as Bhikkhuni preceptor.
Ayyā Vimalā from Belgium with her bhikkhuni preceptor, Ayyā Gunasārī.
Ayyā Gunasārī visiting the former Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California.
Ayyā Gunasārī served as bhikkhunī preceptor for Ven. Parāyanasirī from USA (far left, returned to lay life) and Ayyā Ahimsā from Canada (at Ayyā Gunasārī's right hand).
Smiles. Ayyā Ahiṁsā from Canada with her Bhikkhuni preceptor, Ayyā Gunasārī (right).
Ayyā Gunasārī with her daughter.
Springtime in the desert is bright but can be chilly!
- at Mahāpajāpatĩ Monastery
Ayyā Gunasārĩ visiting Ayyā Susilā from Vietnam and USA at her vihāra in Diamond Bar, Southern California.
Ayyā offered so much Dhamma and meditation support and blessings to the Southern California Buddhist community over the past 20 years.
Ayyā Gunasārī benevolently engaged with Southern California Buddhist community
Ubhato Sangha Dāna is also called Ubhāyata Sangha Dāna, and means offering Sanghadāna to the Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sangha together.
The buddha highly praised this offering in the Middle Length Discourses Dakkhina Vibhanga Sutta - "The Greater Exposition of Offerings".
Ayyā Gunasāri is at the viewer's front left.
Bhikkhuni Sangha paying respects to Ayyā Gunasārī on her 91st birthday.
Bhante Piyananda visit to Mahāpajāpatī for Ayyā's 93rd Birthday in 2024.
Ayyā is center left. Bhante Piyananda is center right.
Ayyā Susilā and Ayyā Souvannā Rattanā are next to Ayyā on the left with a bhikkhuni from Sri Lanka.
Ordination sisters Ven. Bhikkhunī Dhammavarā and Ven. Bhikkhunī Dhammānusārī visiting Ayyā at Mahāpajāpatī last autumn (2025).
Both ordained here at Dhammadharini in September of 2022.
Ven. Dhammavarā returned to Mahapajapati not long after and has been staying there the past several months during Ayyā Gunasārī's time in hospice.
Ven. Dhammavarā was together with Ayyā when she passed away, very quickly and quietly.
