Ayya Nirodha

Ayya Nirodha was born Elizabeth Gorski, in Austria in 1945. == Later life ==

Nirodha emigrated to Australia, aged 20 years, with her husband. They divorced a few years later. In 2001, Nirodha moved to Dhammasara Monastery, Gidgegannup, Western Australia. In 2001, Nirodha took part in an Anagārika ceremony, which included undertaking Eight Precepts, shaving her head and putting on white robes. In 2003, she was ordained as a Ten Precept nun. This included changing to brown robes, and relinquishing all money and assets. Nirodha reports that both her family and the bank were shocked at her intention to give away all her belongings because of her substantial assets. She was the first Sāmaṇerī, Ten Precept Nun of the Thai Forest Tradition to be ordained in Australia. == Ordination controversy ==

In 2009, Nirodha and three other nuns from the Dhammasara community requested to become Bhikkhunis. The ordination of Nirodha and other bhikkhunis was opposed by leading English and Thai monks of the Wat Pa Pong order, of which Bodhinyana was a branch. This response has been described as 'swift and draconian', and indicative of sexism which was not part of Buddha's original vision. Buddha founded the bhikkhuni order by ordaining his maternal aunt and also his stepmother, Mahapajapati Gotami. In 2012, Nirodha became the Abbess of Santi Forest Monastery at Bundanoon, New South Wales, on the departure of Bhante Sujato. == Retirement ==

In 2017, Nirodha retired and moved into retreat. == References ==