Ajahn Sundara was born in France. In her early thirties, after working for a few years as a dancer and teacher of contemporary dance in both France and England, she had the opportunity to attend a talk followed by a retreat led by Ajahn Sumedho. His teachings and his way of life as a Buddhist monk resonated deeply. In 1983 she was given the Going Forth as a siladhara (ten precept nun). In the mid-nineties she spent over two years in Thailand practicing in the forest monasteries. For the last 20 years she has taught and led meditation retreats in Europe and North America.