Buddhist Embassy initiative to establish Bhikkhunī Sāsana in Canada

A Sri Lankan–Canadian initiative has unveiled a historic national vision to establish a fully recognised Bhikkhunī Sāsana in Canada, with the long-term goal of nurturing hundreds of fully ordained Bhikkhunīs by 2050.

The initiative, led by the Buddhist Embassy Canada under the leadership of Visita Sirin Leelaratna, marks a significant milestone in global Buddhist heritage and the advancement of women’s monastic leadership.

The announcement comes as Canada continues to strengthen recognition of Buddhist heritage within its multicultural framework. The City of Ottawa has officially proclaimed May as Buddhist Heritage Month, joining other municipalities, provinces, and the federal government in acknowledging the cultural and spiritual contributions of Buddhist communities across the country.

The vision is rooted in a 1,600-year historical lineage of Bhikkhunī continuity. In 429 CE, Sri Lankan Bhikkhunī Devasāra Therī led a pioneering delegation to Nanjing, enabling the valid transmission of the Bhikkhunī Upasampadā and the ordination of more than 300 Chinese Bhikkhunīs by 434 CE. Canada’s initiative now seeks to honour this legacy through a planned 2034 commemoration, symbolically marking 1,600 years since the completion of that historic milestone.

Canada already hosts an active and recognised Bhikkhunī lineage, which provides a foundation for the emerging Canadian Bhikkhunī Council. The council aims to establish legitimate and non-sectarian pathways for ordination, temple development, and leadership training for women in monastic life.

The initiative also acknowledges the guidance of senior monastics from the United States and Australia; while paying tribute to the late Dr Siripala Leelaratna, whose scholarly contributions continue to support global Buddhist education.

Overall, the project reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding the Sāsana while promoting inclusivity, continuity, and inter-cultural understanding within the global Buddhist community.

Leelaratna, a Canadian and Sri Lankan citizen and founder of Sirin Eco Park in Baddegama, was recognised for his decade-long efforts to strengthen Canada–Sri Lanka ties through heritage, entrepreneurship and spiritual exchange. In a gesture of friendship and cultural diplomacy, High Commissioner  and Leelaratna presented a traditional Ambalangoda Deva mask, along with a framed Dharma Chakra road sign, first introduced in Ottawa in 2012.