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Buddhism in the Modern World 2008-09
The Bhiksuni Sangha Today
Venerable Shi Zhiru
on three Buddhist nuns of Taiwan
On January 29, the Venerable Dr. Shi Zhiru, Associate Professor and Chair, Religious Studies, Pomona College, gave a talk entitled "Female Reimaginings of Buddhist Monasticism in Contemporary Taiwan." The event, sponsored by Buddhism in the Modern World, was the first in a series on the Bhiksuni Sangha Today. The series is supported by the TT & WF Chao Fund.
In a lively and well-received lecture, the Ven. Zhiru discussed the extraordinary vitality of the bhiksuni-sangha in Taiwan today. Using the life histories of three eminent nuns (Shi Wuyin, Shi Zhengyan and Shi Zhaohui) to illustrate the diversity of activity undertaken by Buddhist nuns in that country, she addressed a wide range of themes, including Vinaya observance, education, social work, Sangha-lay relations, cultural identity, and political activism. |
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Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo
on the challenges for female monastics
On April 23, the Venerable Bhiksuni Karma Lekshe Tsomo, associate professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, presented a talk on “Buddhist Nuns Living by the Rule: Ancient Codes and Contemporary Life.”
Drawing on her personal experience as a nun in America, as well as the struggles of the women of Asia to renew and maintain the bhiksuni sangha, Karma Lekshe Tsomo outlined the challenges facing monastic Buddhist women today. The discussion ranged widely across a number of issues, from the difficulties of maintaining the traditional monastic rule in the modern world, to the obstacles remaining for women in the attitudes and institutions of traditionally Buddhist societies.
The talk was followed by a slide presentation of the speaker’s experiences as president of Sakyadhita: International Association of Buddhist Women and as director the Jamyang Foundation, an initiative to provide educational opportunies for women in the Himalayas and Bangladesh.
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Venerable Dhammanandā
on the bhikkhunis of Taiwan
On May 21, the Venerable Dhammanandā delivered a talk on "What Bhikkhunīs Can Do to Uplift the Buddhist Tradition." Her discussion focused on four centers in Taiwan where bhiksunis play a prominent role: Hua Fan College, Fo Guang Shan, Tzu Chi Foundation, and Dharma Drum Mountain.
A professor of religion at Thammasart University, Bangkok, Chatsumarn Kabilsingh was ordained as Dhammanandā in 2003, becoming the first fully ordained bhikkuni in the Thai sangha. She now runs a temple for women outside Bangkok and is active in seeking full bhikkuni ordination rights in the Thai and Tibetan Buddhist communities.
In a separate talk to HCBSS on May 20, entitled "Overcoming Resistance against Theravada Bhikkuniī Ordination," Ven. Dhammanandā discussed the history of the bhikkuni order and her own struggles to re-establish it in Thailand. |
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