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Photo by Marlies Bosch
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2,500 years ago, within caste-based, gender-discriminatory Indian culture, the Buddha articulated the radical concept that all human beings possess equal spiritual potential, and supported a respected place for women in the Buddhist community. Since that time, however, massive barriers to women's social and spiritual advancement have developed in many Buddhist countries. Buddhist women leaders are now helping bring down those barriers and creating a world in which women take their equal place beside men.
Since the 1st International Conference on Buddhist Women was held in Bodhgaya, India, in 1987, Sakyadhita: International Association of Buddhist Women has been a key force in increasingly successful efforts to effect substantive change for women in Buddhism and in Buddhist countries. Concentrating efforts particularly in less developed countries in Asia, where extreme gender inequality has become institutionalized and educational opportunities for poorer women are limited, Sakyadhita's unique network of Buddhist women have worked together to bring about effective change where it is most needed.
Using highly visible conferences in developing countries as catalysts for change, the existing gender imbalances have been challenged, a new vision developed, and energies and resources galvanized for action. As a result of the five previous conferences, badly needed institutes, shelter, retreat center, and study programs for women have been established, providing secular education, higher training in Buddhist philosophy, meditation retreats, and higher ordination for women in countries where such opportunities did not previously exist.
The 6th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women, held in Lumbini from February 1 to 7, was another powerful step forward for the international Buddhist women's movement. Nuns and laywomen from a wide spectrum of international backgrounds came together to dialogue came together to share knowledge, strategies, and solutions to problems facing Buddhist women. Communications and support networks that cross the boundaries of nations and individual Buddhist traditions were further developed and strengthened.
Sakyadhita conference delegates, as an international community, had an opportunity to reflect on the positive changes that have collectively been wrought over the past few years, including the establishment of a Bhiksuni Sangha in Sri Lanka. They also discussed the areas and issues that need further work. Innovative ideas and practical methods for encouraging, supporting, and training women in specific Buddhist communities, especially in developing countries, were shared.
Sakyadhita conference concluded by adopting resolutions to support and encourage full recognition and legal status for the Bhiksuni Sangha and to take a stand in the international community and work actively against trafficking of women and girls.
In this new millennium, the Sakyadhita community, as an international alliance of Buddhist women, has decided to work towards developing stronger regional and national branches that are better able to address the needs of their individual communities.
The primary goal of Sakyadhita is to improve the situation of Buddhist women around the world. The presentations, conversations and debates that emerged from this gathering highlighted the critical need to unite efforts locally and internationally to help fully actualize Buddhist women's spiritual potential.
Photo by Marlies Bosch
Report by Joanne Molyneaux