Sri Lanka Bhikkhuni Kusuma passes away 28 August 2021 The internationally acclaimed Buddhist monastic, scholar, and vocal advocate for full female monastic ordination Venerable Dr. Bhikkhuni Kusuma Devendra died of Covid complications late on Saturday in Sri Lanka. She was 92 years old. Some personal reflections on meeting Bhikkhuni Kusuma Bhikkhuni Kusuma was for me, a realContinue reading “Some bhikkhuni news from around the world”
Category Archives: sangha
November 2016 full moon – Turmoil
almost super-moon, Newcastle Beach NSW Australia 13 November 2016 Turning towards and turning away Whether it’s global political upheaval, worsening social injustice, natural disasters, personal stress, emotional pain, relational crises, or health challenges, we seem to be in a phase of intense turmoil right now. Many of the communities around the world that I careContinue reading “November 2016 full moon – Turmoil”
October 2016 full moon – Reinstating the Buddha’s Vision of Gender Equity
Friends of mine from IMS recently sent me information about this presentation on a little-known aspect of Buddhist history, the recent revival of full monastic ordination for women. “This presentation was developed by Friends of Aloka Vihara co-founder Mindy Zlotnick. It outlines the history of bhikkhunis (fully ordained Buddhist nuns) from the time of theContinue reading “October 2016 full moon – Reinstating the Buddha’s Vision of Gender Equity”
April 2015 full moon – “awakening community” *
Last weekend I ran a one-day workshop in Auckland, New Zealand, on the theme of “spiritual friendship,” and just a few days ago I facilitated a small group discussion in Australia at the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre, on the theme of “awakening community.” These two topics feel very alive for me at the moment,Continue reading “April 2015 full moon – “awakening community” *”
Jill Shepherd: insight meditation 