Tathālokā Bhikkhunī

Ayya Tataaloka Bhikkhuni is an American-born Theravadan bhikkhuni and Buddhist teacher. She began monastic life in her 20s, studying in Thailand and other countries. She received bhikkhuni ordination in 1997, at a gathering of Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sanghas in Southern California. Her mentor, Ajahn Maha Prasert, and many others encouraged her to open Dhammadharini Vihara (a vihara is a monastic residence for retreat), the first Theravadan women monastics' retreat in Northern California (Fremont, California, United States), where she began serving as Abbess in 2005. As of the 2006 Vassa, her 10th rain after taking higher ordination, she is eligible to be called Ajahn, the Thai veneration for senior monastics who teach, but still prefers "Ayya."