About Uppalavannarama
Uppalavannarama Bhikkhunupassaya Kappiya Association was founded in 2023 out of the intention of individuals in the Sydney Buddhist lay community to support an urban bhikkhuni residence for the practice and study of early Buddhism. The association operates under the guidance of Ayya Suvira. The association assists bhikkhunis, sikkhamanas and samaneris by providing a rented residence in Harris Park (Uppalavannarama or UBU), and material support to invited monastics.
About Ayya Suvira
Ayya Suvira received going forth as a novice in 2016. In early 2019 she completed a Buddhist pilgrimage to India and Nepal, having visited the four holy sites and the Buddha’s bone relic in Delhi. In July 2019 she received ordination as a bhikkhuni, with Ayya Santini Mahatheri as preceptor. In 2021, she arrived in Sydney with next to nothing, but due to the loving support of the donors UBU was born and she was invited (offered pavarana) by the committee after incorporation in 2023. Her sincere aspiration is for the success of the UBU project.
Practice
The primary source of teaching and practice at Uppalavannarama is the text of the Pali suttas and vinaya, which record the words of the Buddha, which we live in the local context. As a “hermit-at-heart,” Ayya Suvira’s dream is to eventually be able to use the bhikkhuni residence to support a higher level of meditation practice in seclusion, with few external commitments, as per the model of the Buddha’s disciples, Venerables Anuruddha, Nandiya and Kimbila in the Upakkilesa Sutta in MN128.
Ayya Suvira encourages all people to sincerely practice meritorious deeds and the ten wholesome dhammas; and to learn, practice and transmit Buddhism widely for the purpose of liberation.
UBU Sangha at Harris Park
- Monday between 7am-9am, weekly - full dana booking slot at Rosella Park, 43A Wigram St, Harris Park
- Booking required - slot to offer full lunch dana at Harris Park.
- Please bring own tongs/spoons to serve & cut all seeded fruits. No plastic takeaway containers or plastic water bottles please.
- Sangha will cover bowl with hand when quantities are enough.
- Please ensure that your dana group contains at least one female member to attend on the day.
- Email uppalavannarama.sangha@gmail.com by Sunday evening to book.
UBU Sangha at Parramatta
Location:
Foyer, Ground floor
PHIVE building
5, Parramatta Square
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Thursdays 6.30pm-7.45pm at PHIVE foyer: DEEPLY ALIVE at PHIVE Laywomen’s Dhamma meetup with Ayya Suvira. This is a chance for women to meet up to discuss the week’s lay dhamma theme in an energised, traditional Buddhist values space based on guidance from the Tipitaka for Buddhism as a complete way of life. No booking required, weekly commencing July 24, 2025. Please check website for variations to schedule.
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Sundays 3.00pm-4.30pm weekly at PHIVE foyer. Individual meditation and dhamma guidance slot (women only) to meet with Ayya Suvira. Standard appointment time is 15 minutes, booking required. Email uppalavannarama.sangha@gmail.com
Visiting & House Dana Policy
Please note that the sangha’s ability to take bookings outside of the advertised public times is limited and at sangha discretion. The residence is closed to the general public.
Contact
Monastic contact: uppalavannarama.sangha@gmail.com
The kappiya association: uppalavannarama.kappiya@gmail.com
Message from the Treasurer
If you would like to assist with financial support for the material wellbeing, dhamma activities, travel and communications needs of the resident bhikkhuni sangha we invite you to make a donation to the account of the lay association monastic stewards “kappiyas” that issue open invitation to material support for the resident bhikkhuni sangha.
On behalf of the lay stewards: a big “anumodana” - we rejoice in the beauty of your kind support to the bhikkhuni sangha!
Option 1 - works from within Australia (no fees)
| PayID/Osko | uppalavannarama.kappiya@gmail.com |
|---|---|
| Account name | Uppalavannarama Kappiya |
| BSB | 633 000 |
| Account number | 205 054 786 |
Option 2 - Square (~2% fee)
Please use this link: https://square.link/u/2j3dqKpM