Venerable Virañani
Ayya Vīrañāṇi began to practise meditation in 1979. In 2003, after several years working at the Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts, USA, and training in the Thai Forest tradition, she began a period devoted to intensive practice in the Burmese lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw. She took permanent ordination in Burma with Sayadaw U Pandita on New Year 2006, and until recently has mostly resided at the Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre in Myanmar. She was one of the editors (for Pāḷi and English) of the translation from the Burmese of Mahasi Sayadaw’s Manual of Insight published by Wisdom Publications. She teaches mettā and vipassanā meditation retreats worldwide. Ayya has a science background and was previously a conservation biologist.
Events with Venerable Virañani
Metta for VipassanaOctober 10 - 24, 2026
The practice of loving-kindness (mettā bhāvana) aims at the cultivation of a loving, benevolent attitude towards all living beings. Since the time of the Buddha, this form of meditation has been used as a practice in itself, and as a support for the development and deepening of insight (vipassanā bhāvana) This retreat is ideal for meditators looking to experience the relationship between metta and insight practice with the aim of deepening insight.
Two-Month Vipassana RetreatJune 18 - August 14, 2027
This two-month retreat offers the rare opportunity for sustained, dedicated vipassanā practice with Ayya Vīrāñāṇī and Ariya Baumann. A daily session of mettā meditation, including some mettā chants, will help support the development of insight. The retreat is open to yogis who have completed two or more silent vipassanā meditation retreats of 14 days or longer. Registrations will be taken for the full two month retreat duration only. Priority will be given to Australia and New Zealand residents on the initial registration intake. Registration will be open to overseas residents after 4 May 2026. A $200 deposit is required to…