On Sunday, July 7th 2024 we celebrated a very auspicious day as Ayya Saddha was officially installed as the first Khmer Bhikkhuni to take official residence at Wat Sao Sokh San, a Khmer Buddhist Temple in Wellford, SC. With great joy, the sanghas from Heartwood and Wat Sao Sokh San gathered together to support and witness this historical event. This has been a long and fulfilling journey for Ayya Saddha who took temporary ordination in 2011 with Ven. Pannavati, Maha Theri and she remains under her tutelage. Ayya Saddha is originally from Cambodia and has endured a lifetime of hardship and profound experiences. Her tenacity and devotion to the Three jewels has carved the way for her success and has helped many women from her culture grow and expand in the Dhamma. Her cultivation is truly inspirational and her conduct is easily worth commending.
With patient diligence, Venerable Pannavati, Ayya Saddha and many other Bhikkhunis encouraged acceptance at the temple by working with Bhante Sambo Kurt over the years. Maha Theris Ayya Tathaloka and Ayya Sudhamma, supported Ayya Saddha’s development as well as her commitment to Wat Soa Sokh San.
The temple sits on a little over 7 acres in a rural part of town. The plot is bright and peaceful with a beautiful stupa and a new meditation hall. The ceremony opened with lunch at 11am. The community of Wat Sao Sokh San welcomed our Heartwood sangha as if we were family. They covered every corner inch of the table with food and were full of happiness. Before proceeding to eat, they blessed the meal with chanting and weenjoyed their traditional Cambodian dishes. After the meal we proceeded to the temple hall and paid respects to the Buddha and each other.
Both Bhantes and Ayya Saddha offered remarks and the sangha took a tour of her new kuti. Her sister Bhikkhunis from Heartwood offered gifts for her altar and offered special blessings.
Bhante Samo Kurt
Bhante Sambo is the Abbot of Wat Sao Sokh San. By allowing Ayya Saddha to practice alongside the Bhikkhus to serve the needs of women in the sangha is a monumental step. During the ceremony he gave a talk to his Cambodian sangha and then turned to Venerable Pannavati and said, in English, “friends, not enemies.” This was truly a special moment. His tender kindness and gracious acceptance is worthy of praise as his actions to support Ayya Saddha marks a pivotal return to the fourfold sangha established by the Buddha. As has been said, “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.” We can sincerely encourage the flame lit from this accomplishment to ignite the way for female spiritual practitioners worldwide. It is with great honor that we get to uphold the Buddha’s initial wishes and carry out our lives in a way that is harmonious, peaceful and advantageous for all.
During the ceremony Venerable Pannavati shared some touching words from a letter that was written to Ayya Saddha from Watt Meangkolvorn Santa Rosa Association. “With the challenges you faced as the Khmer Bhikkhuni in this modern society, and especially in the Cambodian Community is very difficult to explain. These challenges are the doors to the Khmer Bhikkhuni and the International Bhikkhuni to help plant seeds for others to follow. You and the others are the path for these seeds to grow, one by one. Your dedication, determination, perseverance, and along with your compassionate heart led you to where you are today. I am very humbled and honored to congratulate you on your invitation as the first Khmer Bhikkhuni to get invited from the Bhikkhu Khmer Sangha to live on the same ground. This is extraordinary to witness. Therefore, congratulations on your accomplishment to the future of all Bhikkhunis who have endured this path of hardship with much criticism and discrimination. In addition, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Abbot Sambo for his understanding, supporting, and his acceptance of our Khmer Bhikkhuni. This is a major breakthrough for our community to acknowledge the true meaning of what it means to be humane. Please send my respect and gratitude to the Abbot Sambo for me as well.”-Abbot Noun Chandare
Ayya Saddha and her family have been members of Wat Sao Sokh San since one of its first Kathina Robe ceremonies in 2002. Over the years they have maintained a beneficial relationship and devoted their lives to selfless service and Buddhist practice at the temple. The support Ayya Saddha has received from her family is outstanding. Her gracious ex-partner Ouy, a former monk, rejoiced and supported her long-time bhikkhuni aspiration; and her sons and daughter support her happiness and dedication.
Venerable Saddha considers her family as disciples and helps them understand the correct principles of the Dhamma so that they may create virtuous opportunities by correcting their behavior in accord with the teachings of the Buddha. The Wat Soa Sokh San Sangha welcomed us and celebrated the temple’s groundbreaking ceremony with respect and dignity. There are many lay practitioners, especially women at Wat Sao Sakh San who are devoted to the growth and evolution of the temple.
May blessings abound at Wat Soa Sokh San and may the Cambodian Bhikkhuni Sangha continue to grow and flourish.
Resources: https://www.facebook.com/Khmer.Bhikkhuni.Sangha/
