We are delighted to announce that the ordinations of the following 19 women took place at Hsuan Tsang Retreat Centre, Bordharan, India. The Private Ordinations took place on the 18th January, and the Public Ordinations on the 19th January. 

Amidst difficult conditions, with the support of Srimala, we, the four new Indian Public Preceptors, conducted our first Public Ordinations – the first ordinations of women in India to take place since December 2017.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

With metta,
Abhayadana, Abhayavati, Shubhajaya, and Vijaya.

***

Public Preceptor Abhayadana:

Bahinabai Kamble becomes Śīlavajrī
A Sanskrit name meaning: Vajra of ethical conduct
Private preceptor: Danshri

Manju Goutam becomes Āryamaṇi
A Sanskrit name meaning: Noble jewel
Private preceptor: Vijaya

Shama Uke becomes Ojaḥśrī
A Sanskrit name meaning: Powerful glory
Private preceptor: Vijaya

Niranjana Adhav becomes Maitrītārā 
A Sanskrit name meaning: Star of loving kindness
Private preceptor: Suprabha

Archana Borkar becomes Vidyāśuci.
A Sanskrit name meaning: She whose knowledge is pure
Private preceptor: Suprabha

Anjali Shambharkar becomes Śraddhāśrī.
A Sanskrit name meaning: Glory of faith.
Private preceptor: Ojogita


Public Preceptor Vijaya:

Koushalya Landge becomes Acalasirī 
A Pali name meaning: She whose radiance is steady
Private preceptor: Abhayadana

Neha Gajbhiye becomes Śākyavajrī
A Sanskrit name meaning: Vajra of the Sakyas
Private preceptor: Abhayadana

Shobha Wahane becomes Dīparatnā
A Sanskrit name meaning: Jewel of light
Private preceptor: Jayamani

Padma Singh becomes Śubharatnā
A Sanskrit name meaning: Jewel of purity
Private preceptor: Suprabha

Sarita Meshram becomes Vidyādṛṣṭi 
A Sanskrit name meaning: She who sees with knowledge
Private preceptor: Suprabha

Vaishali Sankpal becomes Śākyaśrī. 
A Sanskrit name meaning: She who has the radiance of the Sakyas.
Private preceptor: Ojogita


Public Preceptor Abhayavati:

Yogini Shende becomes Maitreyanī
A Sanskrit name meaning: Kind leader
Private preceptor: Jayamani

Yogita Gaikwad becomes Karuṇācariyā 
A Pali name meaning: She who acts with compassion
Private preceptor: Shubhajaya

Venubai Sable becomes Śraddhāprabhā
A Sanskrit name meaning: Light of faith
Private preceptor: Shubhajaya

Dipa Mane becomes Tejaḥprabhā
A Pali name meaning: Brilliant radiance
Private preceptor: Shubhajaya


Public Preceptor Shubhajaya:

Kanta Gangawane becomes Śīladhāriṇī 
A Sanskrit name meaning: Bearer of ethical conduct
Private preceptor: Vijaya

Hemlata Gaikwad becomes Dhairyamati.
A Sanskrit name meaning: Firm mind
Private preceptor: Abhayavati

Rajani Shinde becomes Virajadhāriṇī 
A Sanskrit name meaning: Bearer of purity
Private preceptor: Shraddhavajri