Noteworthy Japanese Buddhist Nuns Dislocated by Quake/Tsunami

Many Buddhist nuns have been dislocated by the earthquake and tsu- nami and are in need of assistance. If you’d like to help, please direct donations to the Nihon BukkyoNisoHodan, a national, Tokyo- based, non-sectarian association of Japanese Buddhist nuns. Their website (in Japanese): http://jibo.sakura.ne.jp/. We are sending metta and karuna to all of Japan. ‘’Welcoming New Growth from Established Roots” Two Siladhara Nuns Take Leave of the Chah to Follow the Bhikkhuni Path

Ajahn Anandabodhi and Ajahn Sant- backyard garden, symbolizing their new four; helping in various areas of running the acitta, of the Aloka Vihara in San Francisco, beginnings. monasteries and enjoying times of longer traveled to Amaravati Buddhist Monastery They will ordain as bhikkhunis on Oc- retreat and ''tudong''-walking on faith-and in Hemel Hempstead, UK in April to formal- tober 17 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. taking the sign of the samana out into the ly ''take leave'' of their community and the For more information please visit their web world. Currently, Ajahn Anandabodhi is liv- Lineage. site: ing at Aloka Vihara in San Francisco where In November of 2010 they announced www.saranaloka.org/whats_new.html she is helping to establish a nuns' monas- their intention to follow the bhikkhuni path, tery in the tradition. She shares which is not open to them in the Thai Forest dhamma from the Vihara and in the Bay lineage. ''The ready availability in the US of Area and occasionally teaches in other parts bhikkhuni ordination, the ordination given of the USA. by the Buddha, offers us a new platform for the establishment of a training monastery for women,'' they said in their announce- ment. The ceremony was attended by all of the Siladhara nuns and four senior bhik- khus, including who is the ab- bot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery. A celebration to welcome them home and recognize this transition, entitled ''Welcoming New Growth from Established Ajahn Anandabodhi Roots'' was held at the flower-filled Aloka Vihara, 1632 48th Ave., San Francisco, on Ajahn Anandabodhi was born in Wales May 7, 2011. Over forty attendees offered in 1968. Coming across the Buddha's teach- Ajahn Santacitta food for the meal. During the ceremony fol- ing at the age of fourteen had a profound Ajahn Santacitta was born in Austria lowing the meal, the attendees read poems, effect on her inner life. She has practiced in 1958 and has been practicing medita- presented pictures, sang songs, and made meditation for over twenty years and has tion for over 20 years. Her first teacher was other offerings to the nuns. This was fol- lived in Amaravati and Chithurst monas- Ajahn Buddhadasa, whom she met in 1988. lowed by a ceremony to plant seeds in their teries in the UK, since the age of twenty- After living in for several years,

Present | The Voices and Activities of Theravada Buddhist Women | Summer 2011 31 she ordained in 1993 at Amaravati Monas- santi Bhikkhuni's support organization tery in England and trained with the nuns in Colorado) has kindly pledged another of the Ajahn Chah/ lineage $3,000. The Hermitage is appreciative of for 17 years. Since meeting Shechen Rabjam the donations of all these friends. in 2002, she also integrates the However, $4,500 in donations is need- teachings of the Tibetan tradition ed to pay the costs that remain. (The Dham- into her practice. In 2009 Ajahn Santacitta madharini Board of Directors offered to moved to Aloka Vihara in San Francisco; loan these funds to the Hermitage (from she teaches in the Bay Area and occasionally Dhammadharini funds designated for other parts of the US. It is her intention to other purposes), as the kitchen trailer had support the establishment of training places become an environmental health hazard. for women and to share her experience in With 5-7 women in retreat at the Hermit- community, as a means for cultivating the age, it had to be replaced urgently.) Ruth Dennison heart and opening the mind. Friends of the Hermitage would like to join the AFB and Awakening Truth in Alliance for Bhikkhunis: Donations Help Anyone who has ever thought about spending quality time with Ruth Aranya Bodhi Denison in this, the twilight of her long life, might think about com- Hermitage ing and staying at Dhamma Dena (Joshua Tree, CA) for anywhere Acquire from two weeks to several months to serve as her personal assistant Much and driver. Room and board would be free. If interested, please contact Needed Trailer Jill Rayna at 707-632-5589. During the past month, many friends have been working diligent- ly to find a kitchen trailer for the Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, replacing a much older trailer that was dam- aged by winter storms and affected by dan- an invi- gerous mold and mildew, which had been tation to those affecting the health of several of the resi- who would like dents. Through the diligent work of many to participate friends, the hermitage now has a new used with Friends of trailer, complete with all the kitchen fix- the Hermitage tures, shower, and a separate bedroom for a in funding the resident or guest. This 1996 trailer was only remaining cost used a few times by the original owner. of the new used The new trailer will allow indoor cook- trailer and get- ing and shower facilities for the four monas- ting it in and set tic women and the lay steward now living on up on site. If you wish to donate, see the land. In summer, especially during the http://www.aranyabodhi.org/dana. retreat from July to October, up to 12 Be sure to indicate the purpose of women will use the new trailer, along with your gift, and kindly drop a note to an outside camp-kitchen and shower tents. [email protected] so that The total cost for acquiring the new we can announce when the goal is met. trailer was $9,500, including purchase price, Sara Sacksteder, on behalf of Friends of licensing, registration, transportation from the Hermitage, will happily reply to any Stockton to the Hermitage, and road repair questions about this project and how required to move the trailer to its new slot. you can participate. New Aranya Bodhi Hermitage Trailer (As a bonus, the gravel driveway will be im- proved by the road crew for safety and pro- tection of our visitors' vehicles.) Out of the $9,500 cost of acquiring and installing this trailer, the Alliance for Bhikkhunis offered $2,000 and Awakening Truth (Ajahn Thana-

Present | The Voices and Activities of Theravada Buddhist Women | Summer 2011 32 Alliance for Bhikkhunis: Alliance for Bhikkhunis: Two Noteworthy Articles from News from Vietnam, taken from Thailand's Mark your calendars now to be part of hon- the Post: Ven. Bhikkhuni Dhammananda's site. 16- oring the founder of the Bhikkhuni 18 November 2010 Ven. Bhikkhuni Lieu Mahapajapati Theri as well as commemo- Buddhist Women Honored Phab invited all the five Theravada Bhikk- rating our first women teachers during the (March 4, 2011) 1st Annual International Bhikkhuni Day hunis to perform Sima Samutti (boundary March 8 was International Women's Day on September 17, 2011. Join our circle of consecration) at their temple in Baria, Vung and this year it coincided with the presentation support for bhikkhunis worldwide! (Visit Tao province, Vietnam. Also on the same of the 2011 Outstanding our homepage for information on this day, to help them receive Kathina (robes) Awards, when five women were feted for their awareness raising, fund raising, communi- Theravadin style. Ven. Dhammananda will contributions to Buddhist spirituality. ty-building, educational event: lead the sangha from Thailand. The award, now in its 10th year, was pre- www.bhikkhuni.net.) sented at a ceremony held at the Association Alliance for Bhikkhunis: for the Promotion of the Status of Women, in Installation of Bhikkhuni Ven. Madika as We received the following message from the Don Muang area. Viriya Karuna about the introduction of co-abbot of Dhamma Sukha Meditation Theravada Buddhism in Spain: The Span- Center, in Annapolis, Missouri. On May 21, 2011, Venerable KC Madi- The five winners were: ish Association for Theravada Buddhism Hathairat Suda, social worker and activ- ka WarEagle Bhikkhuni was installed as • (www.aebtheravada.org) is a nonprofit ist. For the past 17 years, Hathairat has been co-abbot at Dhamma Sukha Meditation organization founded in March 2008. We working to promote reproductive health, HIV/ Center (DSMC) in Annapolis, Missouri. started out with only people who were AIDS prevention, and sex education amongst Venerable Vimalaramsi is the founder youngsters. Once ordained a samaneri, or fe- and current abbot of DSMC. Ven. Madika male novice, in the Theravada tradition, she will oversee the women’s monastic area, has found Buddhist teachings and the roles monastic planning, as well as the daily op- of female monastics helpful in her counseling erations of the center. work with teenagers. She is joined by samaneri Sister Sujitra (Sudassa) Onkom, academic, Kalyana. Please see – • writer, and vipassana meditation New Spanish Theravada Sangha http://www.dhammasukha.com teacher. Teaching at the Humanities and So- for more information. cial Sciences Faculty of Rajabhat University's working to spread Theravada Buddhism Thon Buri campus, she has penned 18 dharma in Spain. AEBTHERAVADA is growing, books in Thai and six in English. Apart from not very fast, but steadily, and we already doing TV and radio programmes, she is also have 50 members. We hope that anyone a highly respected dharma and meditation sincerely interested in Buddhadhamma teacher. will join us to share their experience and •Debra Quayle Travis, meditation teacher. help promote the Buddha’s original teach- With strong foundations in both Theravada ings in Spain. During the few years of our and Buddhism, Travis has for the existence we have been visited by several past 15 years been teaching meditation to peo- monks and Mae Chee Bridget from Thai- ple from all walks of life, including prisoners. land. Retreats and Dhamma talks have been She is a student of spiritualist Tsultrim well attended and we are looking forward Allione, whose specialty is Tibetan Buddhist now to the renovation of an old house and lineage. to offer it as a place for individual retreats. •Maechee Daranee Chantrawut, Buddhist Our short-term goals would be establishing nun. The former teacher with several awards Dhamma-groups (study and meditation) to her credit, she now teaches meditation and all over Spain. Already there are a few, but dharma to women practitioners at her own mostly in the big cities in central Spain. nunnery, where therapeutic treatment for Originally we thought that in the long term stroke patients is also offered as part of social we might be able to have a monastery, but services. She is currently executive director of are now happy to announce that there is the Thai Maechee Institute. already the first coming to Spain. •Samaneri Dhamma Visudtha, female For the time being he wants to see if there novice. Ordained a nun at 15, she has spent the is enough support for him to stay in this New Co-Abbots, Ven. Madika, Bhikkhuni and past 39 years practising and teaching dharma beautiful country. He would be the first Ven. Bhante Vimalaramsi. and meditation. A highly respected teacher, ever resident bhikkhu here! So that’s what she was ordained a samaneri 14 months ago we are working for right now. Our wishes and her elevation to a bhikkhuni in a few came true—earlier than ever thought! years' time promises to be a significant event.

Present | The Voices and Activities of Theravada Buddhist Women | Summer 2011 33 Gender and religion: troversy also challenging traditional power According to Mr. Amnaj, she refused to structures within Thai Buddhism erupted in meet with government representatives, Where nuns fear to tread 2001 when a Thai female Buddhist scholar, choosing instead to speak through a (Published March 6, 2011.) Dr Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, was ordained in loudspeaker and insisting she still had Sri Lanka, and shortly thereafter, another the right to manage the temple. Mr. Thai woman, Samaneri Dhammarakhita was Amnaj said that Phra Khru Pariyat and A court in India's Bihar state re- ordained by a Sri Lankan preceptor on Thai eight other monks continued their duties cently ruled in favour of Mae Chi Ahree soil, marking the first time a woman had at the temple, and that the facility had Pongsai, a nun in her seventies, who been ordained in the country. thrived since Phra Khru Pariyat took over lodged a complaint requesting that she But Mae Chi Ananta Nakboon of the in 2007. be allowed to replace Phra Khru Pariyat Mae Chi foundation strongly disagreed with Thammawithet as head of the Thai Nal- Mae Chi Ahree's actions. anda temple, 90 km from the state capi- ''What was she thinking when she went tal of Patna. Mae Chi Ahree reportedly to court to get the rights to manage the claimed that the former abbot, Phra temple?'' she said. ''Mae chi are under the Maha Tharntong, who died in 2007, had support and teaching of the monks. We have written in his will that if she came into no right to challenge their authority in any conflict with his successor, she should case,'' said Mae Chi Ananta. ''In the temple, seek assistance from India's courts to the teaching of the monks receives the high- take over. est respect from the people. The mae chi do Thai Mae Chi Ahree Pongsai recent- not earn the same respect. How can they ly won an appeal in India's Bihar state then manage temples successfully?'' to replace Phra Khru Pariyat Tham- She said Mae chi can establish medita- mawithet as head of the Thai Nalanda tion centres and foundations and adminis- temple outside Patna, India. trate them, ''but definitely not temples''. The controversy over a Thai Bud- Further complicating matters in Mae dhist nun successfully petitioning an Chi Ahree's case is the way in which Thai Indian court to gain control of a temple temples abroad are administered. They do has raised broader questions surround- not fall under the Sangha Supreme Council ing the administration of temples over- or the Ecclesiastical Law, as do all the tem- seas. It has also highlighted the ambigu- ples in Thailand. There are currently over ous role nuns, or mae chi, face within 300 Thai Buddhist temples around the world, the structure of . with some 1,200 monks. Thai communities The official council of ordained clergy in abroad establish the temple, putting admin- Thailand, the Sangha Supreme Council, istrative power in the hands of laypeople. does not recognize mae chi as full mem- ''Most overseas temples are established bers. They are not officially allowed to as non-profit organisations or under a foun- interpret or teach the dhamma (the dation with or without Thai Buddhist monks teachings of the Buddha), or perform at the beginning,'' said Amnaj Buasiri, direc- religious rituals. tor of the secretariat of the Sangha Supreme The Interior Ministry, however, Council. does regard them as clergy, meaning Mr. Amnaj argued that the Thai government they are unable to vote, while the Trans- should take over Thai Buddhist temples port Ministry treats them as lay people, abroad. Mr. Amnaj strongly believed that denying them rights accorded to monks, a concrete way to solve the management such as free transport services. problem of Thai Buddhist temples in foreign In the past, efforts have been made countries is to transfer the temples to the to clarify the status of mae chi, such as Thai government. He cited Buddhapa- in 1991, when the Institute for Thai Nuns dipa in London and Wat Sanghapadipa in pushed parliament to consider a ''Nun Wales as examples of where this model has Act'', which would outline basic regula- been effective. tions for nuns. ''The temples transferred the land and According to a September, 2002, arti- property rights of the temple compound to cle from Inter Press Service, the Religious the Thai government, and the Thai embassy Affairs Department's response was unam- in the UK works with them to help look after biguous: ''It is impossible. A nun has never the property as a national asset interest in a existed in a Thai Buddhist decree.'' foreign country,'' he said. Sri Lanka, like Thailand, follows In the case of Mae Chi Ahree, who Theravada Buddhism; however it permits recently returned from India, there had women to be ordained as monks. A con- been no progress made in talks with her.

Present | The Voices and Activities of Theravada Buddhist Women | Summer 2011 34