Guardian 

About the Guardian of Karuna Vana:

Kamala, the current caretaker of Karuna Vana, received her Pali name and became Upasika when she took refuge in the Triple Gem in June 2024. 

Originally from Quebec, Canada, she has lived in Italy for 35 years and is now 63 years old. Kamala is dedicated to her practice, following the Eight Precepts and meditating twice daily for at least one hour. She also leads a weekly meditation group at the retreat center.

Kamala’s practice is rooted in the Thai Forest Tradition, and she has had the privilege of serving in several Theravada monasteries:

• Bhikkhuni Dhamma Vijjani Center in Ban Rai, Thailand (2022): She spent six weeks here receiving daily teachings from Ven. Luangmae Vijjani. Deeply inspired by monastic life, she temporarily ordained as a Samaneri under Ven. Uppajjaya Saddha Sumana of Sri Lanka, observing the Ten Precepts and fully participating in monastic activities for three weeks.

• Wat Ram Poeng (Tapotaram), Chiang Mai, Thailand: During this period, Kamala attended her first silent Vipassana meditation retreat.

• Anenja Vihara, Rettenberg, Germany: In the summer of 2023, Kamala volunteered for two months and undertook a 14-day silent Vipassana retreat under the guidance of Ven. Ayya Phalanyani.

• Amaravati Theravada Buddhist Monastery, England: In the summer of  2024, she spent one month helping in the monastery.

• Milntuim Hermitage, Scotland: Also in 2024, she assisted Ven. Ajahn Candasiri for one month at this residence for female monastics of the Thai Forest Tradition.

Kamala is deeply grateful for the teachings and support she has received from the Buddhist community, and her sincere wish is to offer Karuna Vana as a space where others may experience a life of mindfulness, care, and spiritual growth.