Welcome to the Alliance for Bhikkhunis, a clearinghouse for information on bhikkhuni news, activities, challenges, achievements and history.

News: August 10, 2010 Seeking qualified, self-motivated writers, editors, and researchers for Bhikkhuni Publications Series.

The vision is for a series of high quality, free publications about bhikkhunis and women in Buddhism to support the revival of the Theravadan Bhikkhuni Sangha, and to inspire and bring joy to people everywhere.  

 

We hope to do this by: bringing stories and examples of wise, inspiring, compassionate and courageous buddhist women into everyday awareness; making the early history and contemporary landscape of women in Buddhism common knowledge; and to nurture a deep sense of connection and ‘at-homeness’ for women within the textual traditions and historical unfolding of Buddhism.

 

The series is still in its formative stages. Ideas, feedback, and contributions (editing, writing, researching, artwork, etc.) are most welcome. We are especially interested in hearing from those with a monastic and/or academic (Buddhism, Religious Studies with focus in Buddhism (SE Asian), Buddhism and Women, Gender Studies, etc.) background. For more information please click here.

News: June 16, 2010 The struggle for recognition and gender equity for Buddhist ordained women continues in Sri Lanka.

A leading Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, Ven. Sumangala Thero, has lodged a complaint against the state Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs regarding the non-safeguarding quality of female Buddhist monks (bhikkhunis). 

 

Ven. Sumangala Thero lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission after the Sri Lankan Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs rejected a request to legally register the monasteries of female monks (bhikkhunis).

 

"There are 147 bhikkhuni monasteries in which 500 senior and 2000 novice monks reside," stated Ven. Sumangala Thero, and "the Buddhist term 'Sangha' includes both male and female monks", he added. 

 

"There are 147 bhikkhuni monasteries in which 500 senior and 2000 novice monks reside," stated Ven. Sumangala Thero, and "the Buddhist term 'Sangha' includes both male and female monks", he added. Source

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News: June 4, 2010 The Navugala Bhikkhuni Aramaya in Galigamuwa, Sri Lanka is seeking help with repairs and maintenance.

If you are able to assist in any way, either with materials for repairs, labour, or dana dontations, we encourage you to lend a helping hand. Working together, in alignment with Dhamma, we can contribute to continued growth of the Sri Lankan Bhikkhuni Sangha. Thank you for your interest in helping to support Navugala Bhikkhuni Aramaya (just add a note to our fast, secure online support form indicating that your donation is for Navugala).

Click here to learn more about Navugala Bhikkhuni Aramaya, and to read details about what's needed now.

News: April 19, 2010 Sakyadhita is pleased to announce that the 12th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women will be held in Singapore from June 12 to 18, 2011, with a temple tour beginning on June 19.

Nexy year’s conference theme is ‘Leading to Liberation’. Proposed panels and workshops include Leading Buddhist Women, Warming Up: Buddhist Women & Global Sustainability, The Place of Scholarship: Buddhist Women as Intellectuals, The Diversity Question: Are All Western Buddhists White & Straight?, Buddhist Feminist Leadership Training, Buddhist Women & Hierarchy, Cooperation: Laywomen & Nuns, The Question of Lineage: Women’s Perspectives, Buddhist Economics: Strategies for Funding the Dharma, Conflict Transformation, and much more.

For more information about the conference or details on how to submit a paper for consideration, click here.

News: April 16, 2010 The first phase of the new residential building at Songdhammakalyani Bhikkhuni Aramaya in Thailand is scheduled to begin construction soon.

Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, the first Thai bhikkhuni to ordain in the Theravada tradition, initially believed that ordination should be meant only for those who intended to ordain for life. However, in 2009, she expanded the opportunity for women to ordain temporarily (Temporary Samaneri Ordination or TSO) in order to help establish the Bhikkhuni Sangha in Thailand. TSO was launched on April 6, 2009, and was very well received: between April and December that year, 82 women ordained and received intensive training. As a result of ordaination, the women found that their understanding of the teachings of the Buddha and their depth of knowledge in Buddhism were strengthened significantly. The temple now offers TSO twice per year, on April 6 and December 5. The immediate concern is for a proper residence for the nuns during their training period. Please consider becoming part of Thai her-story by making a donation towards the construction of the residence.

For details about the project and for contact information, please continue reading... (PDF 563kb).