The first ordinations of women as Buddhist nuns (bhikkhunī) are attributed to the historical Buddha. However, some time after the 12th century, the nuns’ order ceased to exist in the Theravāda tradition. According to the Pāli Vinaya, the ordination of women requires the participation of both monks and nuns. Therefore one main argument of the opponents of attempts to re-establish the bhikkhunīsaṃgha is that without Theravāda bhikkunīs who can participate in the formal procedures, the ordination of women is impossible. Despite this opposition, we are currently witnessing the re-establishment of the Theravāda nuns’ order in Asian countries (especially Sri Lanka and Thailand) and in the West. These movements have developed their own dynamics, internal contradictions, global and local entanglements, which will be addressed in this talk.
Cost : Free and open to the public
Sponsor(s): Center for Buddhist Studies