Library

Adhimutta, Bhikkhuni

• My Going Forth the first Kiwi bhikkhuni, a samaneri when this was written, discusses the current monastic landscape and the experience of going forth into homelessness.

Anālayo, Bhikkhu

• The Legality of Bhikkhunī Ordination This paper examines the legal validity of the revival of the Theravāda bhikkhunī ordination that has had the 1998 Bodhgayā ordinations as its starting point.
• Bhikkhuni Ordination Venerable Anālayo studies in detail the history of bhikkhunī ordination, as reported in the Pali Vinaya, in order to facilitate a better understanding of the legal dimensions of its controversial twentieth-century revival in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.
• Miracle-working Nuns in the Ekottarika-ågama This second half of this article is paired with Ven Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna’s article on Mahapajapati.
• Mahāpajāpatī’s Going Forth in the Madhyama-āgama We are grateful to the Journal of Buddhist Ethics for kindly and graciously allowing us to reprint Ven. Analayo’s article.
• Gender Discrimination in the Pali Canon In approaching the scriptures of the Pāli canon for guidance and orientation, we need to be aware of the fact that this material is the final product of a prolonged period of oral transmission and thus may not always fully reflect the original.
• The Bahudhaatuka-sutta and its Parallels on Women’s Inabilities The present article offers a comparative study of the Bahudhātuka-sutta, based on a translation of one of its parallels found in the Madhyama-āgama preserved in Chinese translation. The study focuses in particular on the dictum that a woman cannot be a Buddha, which is absent from the Madhyama-āgama version.
• Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā Proves Her Wisdom
• Journal of Buddhist Ethics | The Revival of the Bhikkhunī Order and  the Decline of the Sāsana
  In this article I study the revival of the bhikkhunī order in the Theravāda traditions and its supposed relation to a decline of the Buddha’s dispensation. http://blogs.dickinson.edu/buddhistethics/files/2013/06/Anaalayo-bhikkhuni-revival1.pdf
• Abstract: The Four Assemblies and the Foundation of the Order of Nuns
• The Case for Reviving the Bhikkhunī Order by Single Ordination

Andrews, Karen

• Women In Theravada Buddhism The author discusses the future of American Buddhist practice.

Anonymous

• Welcome Good Branch, You are Not Unwelcome Using the ancient bodhi tree as metaphor, the author explores the well-being of the fourfold sangha created by the Buddha.

Artinger, Brenna

• We Are In This Together: Compassion and Climate Change An Interview With Venerable Bhikkhuni Thanasanti

• An Interview with AFB’s Founder, Susan Pembroke In 2007, Susan Pembroke founded the Alliance for Bhikkhunis. Susan shares her experiences of founding the organization as well as her observations on the growth of the bhikkhuni sangha in this in-depth interview with Brenna Artinger.

Bianchi, June

• The Feminine Spirit in Buddhism An intelligent overview of the feminine in a generally patriarchal system.

Bodhi, Bhikkhu

• Bhikkhuni Education Today: Seeing Challenges As Opportunities Education is essential if bhikkhunis are to become Dharma leaders.
• Can the Theravada Bhikkhuni Order be Re-established? It Already Has A prominent American scholar-monk’s compassionate argument in favor of recognizing the re-established Bhikkhuni Sangha in Sri Lanka
• The Challenge of the Future How Will the Sangha Fare in North American Buddhism?
• The Revival of Bhikkhuni Ordination in the Theravada Tradition In this monograph, originally presented at a 2007 conference in Hamburg on “Buddhist Women’s Role in the Sangha,” Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi takes up the arguments used to oppose reviving the Bhikkhunī Sangha, and closely examines the three main areas of contention – novice ordination, the probationary training, and full ordination – offering a positive approach to each (PDF 1.24mb).
• The Revival of Bhikkhuni Ordination in the Theravada Tradition in Vietnamese and English
• Dana: The Practice of Giving Selected essays
• Bhikkhuni-Samyutta Suttas In these suttas, Mara, the personification of doubt and evil, tries in vain to lure bhikkhunis away from their meditation spots in the forest by asking them provocative questions. Without exception, these wise women conquer Mara decisively. Translated by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi.
  View as webpage with introduction
  View PDF
  Sutta by Soma
  Sutta by Uppalavanna

Boucher, Sandy

• Standing Outside the Door An intimate look at the impact of denying full ordination to Tibetan nuns.

Bricker, Saccavadi

• Buddhist Discrimination Against Women in Modern Burma
  Saccavadi was one the of first two modern Burmese woman to ordain as a bhikkhuni. In this Present exclusive, she offers an inside look at her experience in robes, and at the discrimination ordained women face in Burma.

Candasiri, Ajahn

• Going Forth – for Liberation This article by Ajahn Candasiri describes her journey to become a 10-precept Siladhara. Inspired by Ajahn Sumedho’s teachings, she began her monastic training at Chithurst as one of the first four anagārikās.

Chu, Dr. William

• Zhao Hui (1957- ): An Innovative and Reforming Taiwanese Bhikkhuni
  An examination of a bhikkhuni’s efforts at implementing the essence of the Vinaya.

Collett, Alice

• The Female Past in Early Indian Buddhism: The Shared Narrative of the Seven Sisters in the Therī-Apadāna.

Conover, Nathan Robnet (son of former Alliance for Bhikkhunis board member, Sarah Conover)

• The Buddha and Jack Kerouac Fistfight in Tusita Heaven – A young man’s thoughts on ordaining.

Conover, Sarah (former Alliance for Bhikkhunis board member)

• 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.
• Film Review of The Island (Ostrov)
• Book Review: The Best Buddhist Writing 2011, Melvin McLeod (ed.)
• Book Review of Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children and Parents (Illustrated by Valerie Wahl)

Culavedalla Sutta, MN44

• Culavedalla Sutta (MN 44), in which Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna instructs her former husband in the Dhamma.

Dewaraja, Dr. L.S.

• The Position of Women in Buddhism A fascinating research paper on how womenenjoyed more equality with men in many Buddhist countries until the arrival of the British Empire.

de Silva, Swarna

• The Place of Women in Buddhism An early (first published in 1988, and updated 1994) ground-breaking exposition on reviving the Bhikkhuni Order.

Dhammananda Bhikkhuni

• Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, A Journey to be a Theravada Bhikkhuni
  Dhammananda Bhikkhuni has written this article for Present, describing her journey to become a Theravada Bhikkhuni. She is the first modern Thai woman to receive full ordination and is Abbess of Songdhammakalyani Monastery.

Dhammadinnå, Bhikkhuni

• The Parinirvana of Mahaprajapati Gautami and Her Followers in the Mulasarvastivada Vinaya This article is paired with the second half of Ven Bhikkhu Analayo’s article, Miracle-working Nuns in the Ekottarika-ågama

Ekachai, Sanitsuda

• Who Says We Never Had Bhikkhuni Clergy by Sanitsuda Ekachai, Bangkok Post.

Ferris, Carudhamma Jo

• Wearing White in the West.
  An intimate recounting from a bhikkhuni supporter, of how taking eight precepts and wearing white transformed a woman’s practice.

Freese, Roseanne

• Turning Back Towards Freedom,, November 2007: The First Recitation of the Bhikkhuni Patimokkha within the Theravada Bhikkhuni Lineage in North America
  Bhikkhunis who participated in this historic recitation talk about why the Patimokkha remains vital in this day and age
• Book Review of Dignity and Discipline

Gross, Rita M.

• How American Women are Changing Buddhism American women are taking Buddhism away from its patriarchal past, participating confidently as practitioners, teachers, and leaders. The job is not finished, says Rita M. Gross, one of Buddhism’s leading feminist thinkers, but the role of American Buddhist women is unprecedented and may change Buddhism forever.

Gunasari, Bhikkhuni

• Ven. Sariputta’s Life dhamma talk Part 1, July 18, 2011
• Ven. Sariputta’s Life dhamma talk Part 2, July 18, 2011

Hecker, Dr. Hellmuth

• Buddhist Women at the Time of the Buddha An exploration of the Therigatha (Verses of the Elder Nuns) from the most prominent German writer on Theravada Buddhism, chronicler of the history of Buddhim in Germany, and leading translator of the Pali Canon.

Horayangura, Nissara (now Munissara Bhikkhuni, below)

• Why Not? An Interview with Ajahn Brahm on Bhikkhuni Ordination
• Uninhibited Monastic Life for Nuns An article about the community at Dhammasara Nuns Monastery in Perth, Australia.
• the Bhikkuni Question: An Interview with Ajahn Brahm The full-length interview.
• On the Bhikkuni Question: An Interview with Ajahn Brahm The abbreviated interview.
• Old Pillar, New Possibilities What the revival of the Bhikkhuni Sangha contributes to Thai women and society.
• A Sacred Lotus: Spiritual activist Susan Pembroke nurtures the development of Theravada bhikkhuni communities around the world Bangkok Post article about the Alliance for Bhikkhunis, by Nissara Horayangura.
• The quest for parity English-born Buddhist nun leads women on the path of spiritual enlightenment.

Horner, I.B.

• Women in Early Buddhist Literature : A Talk to the All-Ceylon Buddhist Women’s Association
  Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 30 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/horner/wheel030.html
  The author examines how early women were the main upholders and supporters of Buddhism.

Huesken, Dr. Ute

• Translation and Transcreation: Monastic: Practice in Transcultural Settings
  the first part of this two-part paper

Jayantā Shirley Johannesen

• Interview with Ayya Medhanandi, founder of Sati Saraniya Hermitage in Canada

Jootla, Susan Elbaum

• Inspiration From Enlightened Nuns Exploring poems composed by the ancient arahant bhikkhunis (Therigatha), and viewing these poems as springs of inspiration for contemporary Buddhists.

Kramer, Jacqueline

• Bhikkhuni Community Building An edited interview with Ajahn Chandako by Jacqueline Kramer.
• A Garland for the Bhikkhunis of Perth The author ponders how might it change a culture to have both female and male expressions of enlightenment, equal in respect and power, as physical embodiements of the Dhamma.
• The Great Inquiry: An Interview with Venerable Ayya Tathaaloka
  A glimpse into the adventuresome and independent spirit that brought this pioneering Western bhikkhuni to the Buddhist path.
  Read as a PDF or on the Present website
• If You Honor Me, Honor My Mother Gotami
  With the revival of the Bhikkhuni Sangha, it is enriching to look back at the stories of the early bhikkhunis. Read this fresh look at the story of the mother of bhikkhunis by Jacqueline Kramer
  Read as a PDF or on the Present website
• An Interview with Martine Batchelor
• Sharing Buddhism with Children
  An overview of how a person’s very presence can be instructive to children.
• A Bridge Between East and West— An Interview with Tsultrim Allione
• An Interview with Joan Sutherland, Roshi

Kusuma, Bhikkhuni

• How I Became a Bhikkhuni This article, written by Venerable Dr. Bhikkhuni Kusuma for the Sakyadhita Newsletter, describes her journey to become a bhikkhuni

Lottermoser, Dr. Friedgard

• Buddhist Nuns in Burma Historical background on the history of ordained women in Burma.

Lee, Yu Ban

• A Lotus at Dawn:  Opening the Doors to the Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha After an absence of more than 900 years, the Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha was revived in Sarnath, India.

Malikul, Bhikkhunī Sobhita

• A Study of the Roles of Bhikkhunis in the Thai Society A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies)

Mallar, Margo

• Portrait of a Volunteer
• You Just Need to be Hungry
  An interview with Ayya Jayati

Marajina, Samaneri (formerly and currently Marcia Pimentel)

• Etaṃ Santaṃ: Etaṃ Panītaṃ (This is Peaceful, This is Excellent)
  Reflections on monastic life at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, California, USA.

McCarthy, Donna

• A Sima of Flowers, An Interview with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta
  An Interview with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta by Donna McCarthy on the historic 2011 Bhikkhuni Ordination at Spirit Rock.
  Read as a PDF or on the Present website.
• A 2600 Year Journey, A History of the Bhikkhuni Order
  This article is co-authored with Mindy Zlotnick and was written at the beginning of a year-long commemoration of the 2600 year anniversary of Mahapajapati’s going forth into monastic life. This marked the founding of the Bhikkhuni Sangha, as well as laying the groundwork for all women in robes.

Medhanandi, Bhikkhkuni

• The Food of Kindness
• Gone Forth, Going Beyond – A book of Ayya Medhanandi’s Dhamma reflections from 1996 to 2007, published in 2008.

Mokashi, Dr. Rupali

• Unveiling Bhikkhunis in Oblivion: What Deccan Cave Inscriptions Reveal about the Ancient Bhikkhuni Sangha
  Epigraphical evidence for the pivotal role bhikkhunis played in preserving the Dhamma.

Mrozik, Susanne

• In the Company of Spiritual Friends: Sri Lanka’s Buddhist Nuns The current situation in Sri Lanka for ordained women.
• Sinhala translation In the Company of Spiritual Friends: Sri Lanka’s Buddhist Nuns

Munissara Bhikkhuni (formerly Nissara Horayangura, above)

• Reflections from the 14th Sakyadhita International Conference: Nurturing the Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha
• What Buddhism Gave Me
  Munissara Bhikkhuni recounts her 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.
  Read as a PDF or on the Present website.

Murcott, Susan (translator)

• Gotami’s Enlightenment Poem
  Mahapajapati’s Enlightenment Poem

Nirodha Bhikkhuni

• Bhikkhuni Nirodha on Ordaining and Renunciation
  Australian-based bhikkhuni reveals what it means to ordain and renounce.

Orr, Mary Grace

• Book Review: Stars at Dawn by Wendy Garling
  Review by Mary Grace Orr of the book by Wendy Garling on the forgotten stories of women in the Buddha’s life.

Palmo, Tenzin

• Talks on the Therigatha at Spirit Rock, June 20 – 24, 2018

Pembroke, Susan

• Honoring and Celebrating Bhikkhunis and Laywomen
  Why recalling the stories of laywomen and female monastics matters.
• Developments in Recent Sri Lankan Bhikkhuni History
  Milestones marking Sri Lanka’s leadership in re-establishing the Bhikkhuni Order.
• Where are the Women Monastics? This article appeared in the Spring 2008 issue of Present.
• Mahapajapati Tells her Story
• Vietnamese Bhikkhuni Dhammananda: Transforming War and Violence to Peace and Respect
  One woman’s journey to becoming a bhikkhuni.
• Vietnamese Bhikkhuni Dhammananda: Transforming War and Violence to Peace and Respect One woman’s journey to becoming a bhikkhuni.
• NI SƯ PHÁP HỶ: CHUYỂN CHIẾN TRANH VÀ BẠO ĐỘNG THÀNH HOÀ BÌNH VÀ ÁI KÍNH Vietnamese translation by Nhu Quang (Thuc Cong) Download Vietnamese version as PDF.
• President’s Letter: Further Thoughts on the 1st Annual International Bhikkhuni Day
• Summer 2011 Letter from Susan Pembroke: Will the West Have a Bhikkhuni Sangha?
• Winter 2011 Letter from Susan Pembroke: To Do Our Work, We Need Your Help
• Spring 2010 Letter from Susan Pembroke: A Joyful, Fragile Revival
  On the revival of the Bhikkhunī Sangha
• An Interview with AFB’s Founder, Susan Pembroke by Brenna Artinger
  In 2007, Susan Pembroke founded the Alliance for Bhikkhunis. Susan shares her experiences of founding the organization as well as her observations on the growth of the bhikkhuni sangha in this in-depth interview with Brenna Artinger.

Pimentel, Marcia (formerly Samaneri Marajina, above)

• Archetyping and the Language of Personhood in the Matugamasamyutta
  A re-examination of the Matugamasamyutta, the “Connected Discourses on Women,” outlines archetyping paths for women and men based on equality—not oppression.

Samma Samadhi, Bhikkhuni

• Venerable Saddha Sumana, Pioneering the Bhikkhuni Sangha in the New Millenium In the revival of the Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha, the most Venerable Saddha Sumana is a groundbreaking bhikkhuni. She has been appointed and serves as a bhikkhuni preceptor in transmitting the full bhikkhuni ordination to women both in her home country of Sri Lanka and internationally.

Sanyal, Aparna

• How a book of poems written by Buddhist nuns over a 300-year period helps in understanding suffering
  From depression and loss to motherhood and menopause, the short verses in the ‘Therigatha’ date back millennia but deal with timeless concerns.

Schultz, Kathy Jean

• Film Review: Blessings, The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet, directed by Victress Hitchcock
  A documentary account of a transformative journey to the remote valley home of some 3,000 Tibetan nuns.
• Film Review of Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen
• Film Review of White Material

Schwab, Bonnie

• Book Review: Into the Heart of Life by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

Sharrin, Ron

• Book Review of Our Appointment with Life: Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone by Thich Nhat Hanh

Starkey, Caroline

•  Ordained Buddhist Women in Britain: A Work in Progress 

Sobhana, Bhikkhuni

• Contemporary Bhikkhuni Ordination in Sri Lanka An overview of the bhikkhuni ordination situation in Sri Lanka.
• Introduction to Metta meditation at Insight Meditation Ventura, 3/19/2011. Audio talk on Metta. File size: 37.07MB
• “The problem with Consciousness” conclusion of Pancupadanakkhandha talks at ABS Temple Sacramento, 4/23/2011. Audio talk on Suffering and Pure Awareness. File size: 10.04 MB
• “Pancupadanakkhandha is Dukkha” at ABS Temple Sacramento, 4/23/2011. Audio talk on Dukkha. File size: 7.8 MB
• New Turns Toward Ancient Paths: the Ordinations in California Reflections on two historic U.S. bhikkhuni ordinations.

Starkey, Caroline

•  Ordained Buddhist Women in Britain: A Work in Progress 
• Books Review: The Art of Disappearing: The Buddha’s Path to Lasting Joy by Ajahn Brahm
  An inspiring guidebook on how to disengage from the ego and become a nobody.

Sujata, Sabrina

• Restraint in Accordance with Patimokkha An elegant exploration of living life within the Dhamma-Vinaya.

Sudhamma, Bhikkhuni

• Longing to Ordain Tracing the origin of contemporary Buddhist ordination of women to Queen Anula, Sri Lanka’s first bhikkhuni, the author recounts her experiences when visiting the Queen’s stupa.
• Personal Perspective on Vinaya An exploration of Vinaya shows that it contains many hidden treasures waiting to be found by those with the patience and faith to give them a try.
• Smoothing the Way is her personal journey to ordination.
• The Reading Habits of One Bhikkhuni
  A list of inspiring writing and authors, both for pleasure and Dhamma study.

Sujato, Bhikkhu

• A Painful Ambiguity An essay on the construction of bhikkhunis as embodied in the early scriptures. The life of the Buddha is designed as a hero myth, and this frames the the origin story of bhikkhunis in mythic, rather than historical, terms.
• Bhikkhuni FAQ Facts about bhikkhunis and bhikkhuni ordination.
• Bhikkhuni Vinaya Studies Exploration of issues confronting fully ordained nuns (bhikkhunis) in modern Buddhism. Includes detailed textual analysis based on comparison of the original Vinaya texts (PDF 1.3mb).
• Bhikkhunis in Theravada A submission to the ongoing dialogue on bhikkhuni ordination in the three main traditions, prepared for the Tibetan Committee of Western Bhikkhunis (PDF 36kb).
• Dark Matter A special investigation look at the slow progress of bhikkhuni ordination.
• Full Acceptance The participation of women in the renunciate life.
• Now is the Time Paper presented at the discussion panel with HH Dalai Lama on the final day of the First International Congress on Buddhist Women’s Role in the Sangha.
• Vutthapana and Upasampada A technical discussion of Vinaya terminology regarding bhikkhuni ordination, suggesting that certain aspects of the bhikkhuni Vinaya texts were preserved in the oral tradition of the bhikkhunis themselves, separate from the main redaction tradition of the bhikkhus.
• Who Trains for Two Years? It is often assumed that all women must spend two years training as a sikkhamānā (trainee) before ordaining as a bhikkhuni. This article looks at what this really means.
• Now Is the Time Paper presented at the discussion panel with HH Dalai Lama on the final day of the First International Congress on Buddhist Women`s Role in the Sangha.

Tathaaloka, Bhikkhuni Theri

• Bhikkhuni Patimokkha Fourth Edition – Pali and English International Edition [4 August 2019].
  Edited by Tathālokā Bhikkhunī and Nimmalā Bhikkhunī
• Bodhgaya International Theravada Bhikkhuni Ordination January 2019
• The Greatest Gift: “For Our Long-lasting Benefit and Happiness” – published on Buddhistdoor Global. This is the final article in Buddhistdoor’s yearlong special series “Planetary Healing: Buddhism and World Ecology”.
• Part II of The Re-making of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha in Transcultural Contexts
  “Coming Into Our Own”
  Perspective of a Bhikkhunī Preceptor on Discipline, Agency and Inquiry Amidst the Renascent Theravāda Bhikkhunī Saṅgha/s
• Honoring Those Worthy of Honor, Contributions of the Late Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratanasāra and Other Early Preceptors Reviving the Theravāda Bhikkhunī Sangha through Early Preceptor Reviving the Theravada Bhikkhuniī Sangha through the Groundbreaking Ordinations of Buddhist Women in th 1980s
• Women of Wisdom, Women of Power Commemorative reflection by Tathālokā Therī on the lunar anniversary of the Parinibbāna of Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī Therī, founding mother of the bhikkhunī sangha
• Lasting Inspiration  A look into the guiding and determining mental and emotional states of liberated arahant women in their path of practice and its fulfillment as expressed in the sacred biographies of the Therī Apadāna.
• Beyond Ambiguity: Going Beyond Gender Ambiguity in Theravada Forest Tradition In modern times, with open public access via the World Wide Web to the Buddha’s teaching, in ways that may have only had parallel in the Buddha’s lifetime – if ever at all in Buddhist history – the seeming ambiguity of the Buddhist Sutta and Vinaya texts related to gender has become a phenomena of which there is a global awareness. And with the ambiguity, in our modern cultural context, there arises doubt and a substantial amount of suffering, along with waves of attempts at clarification and reconciliation.
• Saffron and Green in the Clear Forest Pool The Buddhist monastic community is founded upon, and well endowed with, effective practices of honest self-reflection and introspection, an eye for the inter-relatedness of conditions that lead to either our harm or welfare, and a heart of great and compassionate caring sensitivity for humanity and all living beings.
• Entering Monastic Life and Ordaining as a Bhikkhuni in Theravada Buddhism Dear friend interested in Theravadan Buddhist monastic life…. this page is written with deep appreciation for your aspiration, and the goodness that can come in its fulfilment.
• Dipavamsa Bhikkhuni Highlights Selected exerpts with summeries and comments from The Dipavamsa: An Ancient Buddhist Historical Record, translated by Hermann Oldenberg and compiled by Ayya Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni.
• The Amazing Transformations of Arahant Theri Uppalavanna
•  Is Buddhism Patriarchal?
• The Great Inquiry: An Interview with Venerable Ayya Tathaaloka
• Earth Day Earth Witness 
  A teaching on becoming grounded in the elements and caring for our world
• Forum from the Lion’s Roar
  What Is Enlightenment?
  Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Ayya Tathaaloka, Setsuan Gaelyn Godwin, and David Matsumoto explore their traditions’ different perspectives on awakening.
• Glimmers of a Thai Bhikkhuni Sangha History v2.2
• Public radio interview of Ayya Tathaaloka with Stars At Dawn author Wendy Garling on the Mystical Positivist

Amma Thanasanti (formerly Thanasanti Bhikkhuni)

• Extraordinary Women
• Bhikkhuni Today: The Joys and Challenges of a Pioneer

Thanissara Mary Weinberg

• Take It or Leave It and the Ground Between Recent events have charted the discrimination against female renunciates in Ajahn Chah’s Forest Tradition. Thanissara, one of the first women to ordain as a siladhara, examines Awakening and calls for an authentic dialogue for change.
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Therigatha Verses of the Elder Nuns

• Text used at the Therigatha Verses of the Elder Nuns Retreat at Spirit Rock, June 20th to 24th, 2018

Tolman, Janice

• Venerable Kusuma and the Power of Literacy Education
  A pioneering bhikkhuni taps her education and language skills to reach across cultural differences and create the future for female monastics.

Tsomo, Bhikshuni Karma Lekshe

• • The History of Buddhist Monasticism and Its Western Adaptation An examination of the role of women in the transmission of Bhuddhist monasticism and its adaptation in Western Cultures.
  • Speech on Vimeo. Venerable Lekshe Tsomo explores the origins and extraordinary implications of the contemporary Buddhist women’s movement from her perspective as co-creator of Sakyadhita, the most influential global network of Buddhist women, and as convener of bi-annual international conferences on Buddhist women where scholars, practitioners, artists, and activists exchange ideas and inspiration. Here she examines the most recent gathering, on “Buddhism at the Grassroots”, to illustrate the growth of this unprecedented movement.

Upasika Kee Nanayon, Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.)

• Excerpts from An Unentangled Knowing Teachings of the Thai Buddhist Laywoman

Yavaprabhas, Kakanang

• The Values of Ordination:the bhikkhuni, gender, and Thai society

Zeki, Mel

• Recollection of the Foremost Arahant Bhikkhunis (Pali) 4:14, 1 mb
• Recollection of the Foremost Arahant Bhikkhunis with harmonium (Pali) 7:05, 1.7 mb
• Read the words to this chant (Pali and English) – PDF

Zlotnick, Mindy

• • A PowerPoint presentation, entitled “I Will Not Pass Away….Reinstating the Buddha’s Vision of the Four-Fold Sagha” has been developed about the history of Bhikkhunis from the time of the Buddha until present day, using the Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery nuns as an example of a group of pioneering women who are helping to revive the lineage.The presentation can also be seen on YouTube.
  • A 2600 Year Journey, A History of the Bhikkhuni Order
    This article is co-authored with Donna McCarthy and was written at the beginning of a year-long commemoration of the 2600 year anniversary of Mahapajapati’s going forth into monastic life. This marked the founding of the Bhikkhuni Sangha, as well as laying the groundwork for all women in robes.

On 22 October 2009, several sincerely practicing nuns received full ordination into the Australian Thai Forest Sangha, in Perth. As a result of this historically significant ceremony, four fully ordained Theravadan Bhikkhunis joined the worldwide Bhikkhuni order. May the new Bhikkhunis soon be joined by many more.

• • • Reflections from the newly ordained Bhikkhunis (PDF 78.2kb).
    • Ajahn Chandako’s statement on the Perth Bhikkhuni ordination (PDF 129kb).
    • Ajahn Brahmali on the Perth Bhikkhuni ordination (PDF 69.6kb).
    • The statement from WPP excommunicating Ajahn Brahm and his monastery from the Wat Pah Pong tradition following the ordination (PDF 12.4kb)
    • The statement from Ajahn Brahm on why he was excommunicated (PDF 32.9kb).
    • Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s Vinaya Refutation of the validity of Bhikkhuni ordination (PDF 121kb).
    • Buddhist Scholarly Research Supporting Bhikkhuni Ordination with contributions by Bhikkhu Bodhi, Ajahn Sujato, Ajahn Brahm, Ajahn Brahmali, Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni, Sudhamma Bhikkhuni, and Bhikkhu Analayo (PDF 285kb).
    • Tenzin Palmo’s public statement on the Bhikkhuni ordination controversy (PDF 85.4kb).
    • Ven. Sumangala’s statement on bhikkhuni ordination (PDF 72.7kb).
    • View the petition created by the international four-fold sangha to register support for Bhikkhuni ordination in the Thai Forest tradition (PDF 1.02Mb).
    • Comments from Published Public Dialogues in support of Bhikkhuni ordination, written by members of the international four-fold sangha (PDF 369kb).
    • The statement from the World Abbot’s Meeting in regard to Bhikkhuni ordination in the Thai Forest tradition (PDF 97.1kb).
    • The 5 Points for the UK Siladharas (PDF 41.6kb).
    • Responses to the 5 Points for the UK Siladharas (PDF 70.3kb).

Relevant Articles from Periodicals

Note: Some of these publications require registration and a subscription or fee to view the entire article

• • The University of Chicago Press
    A Voice from the Silence: The Buddha’s Mother’s Story by Jonathan S. Walters

Articles by Sanitsuda Ekachai on the Thai bhikkhunis’ situation:

• The Bangkok Post
  • Bhikkhuni don’t belong under clergy
  • The secret of Thailand’s biggest female clergy
  • Female monks barred from paying respects
• The Buddhist Channel
  • Thailand: Grim future for bhikkhuni under new constitution draft

Article by Martin Seeger on the Thai bhikkhunis’ situation:

• Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies
  The Bhikkhunī-ordination controversy in Thailand p.155