Current Issue
Volume 6 | Number 1 | 2012 Annual Compilation
2012 has been a year of transition for Present as we watched founder Susan Pembroke retire from her role as editor in chief. How Susan was able to publish such a beautiful, substantial magazine and serve as head of the Alliance for Bhikkhunis is something of a miracle.
Despite the challenges of this transition, we are especially pleased that in 2012 the magazine served as a venue for a number of substantive articles on bhikkhuni history: Venerable Tathaaloka’s canonical study “Lasting Inspiration”; Anandajoti Bhikkhu’s new translation from the Extended Mahavamsa; Bhikkhu Analayo’s examination of feminist readings about Subha Theri in the Ekottarika Agama (featured as part of our International Bhikkhuni Day celebration of Sanghamitta Theri); Susan Pembroke’s look at recent bhikkhuni developments in Sri Lanka; and Bhikkhu Bodhi’s argument for the reestablishment of the Bhikkhuni Order, an essay he crafted in response to a statement against it from the Concise Tripitaka Editorial Board.
We found that our most popular articles were the personal narratives: the paths to ordination by both Venerable Sudhamma and Venerable Munissara; an interview with and Dhamma teaching from Venerable Tathaaloka; the challenges of life as a modern-day bhikkhuni by Amma Thanasanti; and Tenzin Kiyosaki’s experience in the dual roles of monastic and hospice chaplain.
You will find these articles, along with various others, gathered here into an annual compilation issue composed of our complete August 2012 and December 2012 installments together with our 2012 International Bhikkhuni Day articles.
To deepen Present’s niche, bringing you “the voices and activities of Theravada Buddhist women,” we need your help as scouts around the world. We warmly welcome your ideas, suggestions, feedback, and articles—features and reviews, academic and otherwise. Please drop us a line at presenteditor@bhikkhuni.net.
—Sarah Conover, Editor in Chief
Features
7...The Great Inquiry: An Interview with Venerable Ayya Tathaaloka
A pioneering Western bhikkhuni offers a glimpse into the adventuresome and
independent spirit that brought her to the Buddhist path.
15...Earth Day Earth Witness
The author shares a teaching on becoming grounded in the elements and
caring for our world.
18...Can the Theravada Bhikkhuni Order Be
Re-Established? It Already Has
This prominent American scholar-monk presents a compassionate argument
in favor of recognizing the re-established Bhikkhuni Sangha in Sri Lanka.
21...Developments in Recent Sri Lankan
Bhikkhuni History
Numerous milestones mark Sri Lanka’s leadership in re-establishing the Bhikkhuni Order.
22...Lasting Inspiration
This substantive scriptural study looks into the guiding and determining
mental and emotional states of liberated arahant women as expressed in the
sacred biographies of the Therī Apadāna.
40...Listening at the End of Life: An Interview with
Tenzin Kiyosaki
A Tibetan Buddhist nun for twenty-seven years, Tenzin Kiyosaki (formerly
Venerable Tenzin Kacho) brings her practice to the bedside working as a
chaplain to those facing death.
46...What Buddhism Gave Me
A new bhikkhuni recounts her annual childhood visits to the Buddhist temple
with her Thai mother and the depression of her young adulthood that drew
her back to the Dhamma, and eventually to ordination.
Special Section
International Bhikkhuni Day 2012:
Dedicated to the Legacy of Saṅghamittā Therī
53...Saṅghamittā Therī Tells Her Story
This creative retelling of the legend of Saṅghamittā Therī explores
its still-relevant moral lessons. Reflection questions are included to
guide group discussion.
58...Saṅghamittā’s Story
New translations from the Extended Mahavamsa V, XV, XVIII-XX
(G. P. Malalasekera, Ed.) provide an ancient account of this renowned
Buddhist woman.
68...Beautiful Eyes Seen with Insight as Bereft of
Beauty: Subhā Therī and Her Male Counterpart in
the Ekottarika Agama
A scholar monk examines contemporary feminist readings of this
early Buddhist text.
74...Smoothing the Way
Ordained in 2003, an American bhikkhuni reflects on the “breathless”
experience of the ordination ceremony and recounts her own
personal journey to get there.
79...Bhikkhuni Today: The Joys and Challenges
of a Pioneer
Living as a bhikkhuni in contemporary American society provides
unique advantages as well as significant hurdles.
To deepen Present's niche, bringing you "the voices and activities of Theravada Buddhist women," we need your help as scouts around the world. We warmly welcome your ideas, suggestions, feedback, and articles—features and reviews, academic and otherwise. Please drop us a line at presenteditor@bhikkhuni.net.
