Celebrate the 2nd Annual
International Bhikkhuni Day
September 29, 2012
Celebrate in your local community!
Once a year, we pay respect to the Bhikkhuni Sangha, honoring their essential role in preserving the Dhamma.
Alliance for Bhikkhunis (AfB) invites you and your local community to hold an International Bhikkhuni Day celebration, the annual educational, fundraising event honoring past and present bhikkhunis (fully ordained female monks).
International Bhikkhuni Day 2012 falls on September 29. But, your community can choose any day in September, October, November or beyond to celebrate with a Dhamma talk, retreat, puja or simple mediation with other Dhamma communities around the world. The point is to teach people about bhikkhunis, about their history and their important role in the Fourfold Assembly! Celebrations range from formal events in temples to discussing the feminine in Buddhism over a cup of tea.
This Year's IBD: Dedicated to the Legacy of Sanghamitta Theri
We remember prominent bhikkhunis and their unique achievements. We also honor all of our [feminine] women teachers, including our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters. Join in a day of giving and receiving, of listening and sharing. Celebrate with us!
Visit our Firstgiving site to create a team of fellow meditators or join an existing team. This is where you can build a page for yourself or your temple or center, and sign up friends and family to sponsor your day of meditating as well as honoring the women who have given us a rich spiritual legacy.
Celebration Kit! Download the do-it-yourself tools to create a memorable Bhikkhuni Day Celebration PDFs (to read or offer printed)
Videos and Audio Talks
Photo slideshow of a full monastic ordination ceremony of three Bhikkhunis at Spirit Rock Mediation Center on October 17, 2011.
Bhikkhuni Ordination at Aranya Bodhi and American Buddhist Seminary (ABS) Temple, May 2012- Article with photos about entering monastic life and ordaining as a Bhikkhuni in Theravada Buddhism
- Video of American Buddhist Seminary (ABS) Vesak Celebration and Bhikkhuni Ordination of Samaneri Marajina and Samaneri Nibbida
Video of Dhammasara Monastery where women are seeking an authentic Buddhist monastic life in Australia.
Slideshow of Mahapajapati Monastery
Talk on "Renunciation" by Ayya Anadabodhi that was given on July 23, 2012 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Talk on "Why do I Meditate? by Ayya Santacitta. Talk was given on July 3, 2011 at Spirit Rock Mediation Center.
Articles
Sanghamitta Theri Tells Her Story by Susan Pembroke
Saṅghamittā’s Story (from Extended Mahavamsa V, XV, XVIII-XX). The text edited by G. P. Malalasekera (1937 A.D. / 2481 B.E) and translated by Anandajoti Bhikkhu (July 2012 A.D / 2556 B.E.)
Precedent from Early Arahants: On the Bestowal of Bhikkhuni Ordination. Ayya Tathaaloka writes about Sanghamitta and early arahant ordination practices.
Beautiful Eyes Seen with Insight as Bereft of Beauty: Subhā Therī and Her Male Counterpart in the Ekottarika Āgma by Bhikkhu Anālayo
Smoothing the Way by Venerable Sudhamma Bhikkhuni is her personal journey to ordination.
Bhikkhuni Today: The Joys and Challenges of a Pioneer by Amma Thanasanti Bhikkhuni
Digital Slide Presentation
Second Annual International Bhikkhuni Day Sanghamitta Slide Presentation (Long version 76 slides with speaker notes)
High Resolution (13.2 MB)
Low Resolution (6.6 MB)
Sanghamitta speaker notes to long version
Second Annual International Bhikkhuni Day Sanghamitta Slide Presentation (Short version 50 slides with speaker notes)
High Resolution (11 MB)
Low Resolution (4.7 MB)
Sanghamitta speaker notes to short version
IBD and AFB Brochures
International Bhikkhuni Day Brochure
Downloads and Tools that were created for the First Annual International Bhikkhuni Day are still available.
