Theravāda Buddhism Online Workshops 2026 with Venerable Vimala
We are delighted to announce the next event in the 2026 Theravāda Buddhism Workshop series.
On 27–28 June 2026, a special online workshop will be held by Venerable Vimala — a teacher, researcher, fully ordained bhikkhunī, and member of the international Saṅgha.
The detailed program and main theme will be announced at a later date — but for now, we invite you to save this date in your calendar.
Why attend?
Meeting with Venerable Vimala is an opportunity to:
connect with a teacher deeply rooted in the early Buddhist teachings
reflect on Dhamma practice in the context of the modern world
deepen understanding of the role of the Saṅgha and community
participate in a space that is open, inclusive, and founded on kindness (mettā)
This event will be part of the wider 2026 online Theravāda Buddhism Workshop series.
Workshop Leader
Venerable Vimala
Venerable Vimala is a non-binary member of the Buddhist monastic order, born in the Netherlands in 1967, and studied geophysics and earned an MBA before ordination.
They have been interested in meditation from a young age but encountered Buddhist teachings only in 2001. After practicing for some time in the Goenka tradition, they felt drawn to ordination. They received temporary ordination at Pyu Taw Ye Monastery in Myanmar in 2008, where they became aware of gender inequality in traditional Buddhist countries. After meeting several fully ordained bhikkhunīs and Ajahn Brahm, they became interested in full ordination to help support the bhikkhunī lineage and pave the way for women to receive full ordination, as men always could. After spending time in monasteries in Germany and Australia, they received higher ordination as a bhikkhunī in Los Angeles in 2016, with Ayyā Gunasārī of Mahapajapati Monastery serving as their preceptor.
In Australia, they met Bhante Sujato, and in 2013 Venerable Vimala joined the SuttaCentral.net team. Several articles by Venerable Vimala were published there on the challenges and discrimination faced by women and LGBTIQA+ individuals in Buddhist institutions.
Venerable Vimala is also one of the founding members of Samita ASBL, a Belgian foundation supporting Tilorien, a monastic community based on early Buddhist teachings. Tilorien Monastery was established to provide a practice space for bhikkhunīs and other women, both lay and ordained, while supporting LGBTIQA+ and other underrepresented groups in developing in the Dhamma.
Venerable Vimala is also one of the principal contributors to BuddhaNexus.net at the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies, University of Hamburg.
Workshop Dates
27–28 June 2026
The workshops will be held online (live).
Language of instruction: English.
Details regarding times, program, translation, and registration will be announced later.
We want to carefully finalize all organizational aspects first to provide you with complete and clear information. As soon as the schedule is confirmed, we will notify you well in advance.
With warm regards in the spirit of mettā.