At the full moon of September 2016, we began 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—including those who follow eight or ten precepts. This year is an opportunity for us to step back and look at the full scope of this remarkable history, as well as to remember that this sangha is made up of individual women, each of whom has a story which has brought her to the holy life. Our beloved Bhikkhuni sangha is still fledgling—it has drastically less support than the Bhikkhu sangha—but bit by bit, it continues to grow.

Today there are expanding communities of Theravada Bhikkhunis around the globe, which would have been unimaginable 100 years ago. In Buddhism, we are blessed that the Buddha established the four-fold assembly and recognized that women are equally capable of living the holy life and experiencing its fruits. Unfortunately, for many centuries, Theravada women were denied the opportunity to live that reality! Thanks to the efforts of many, that is now changing. We hope that, in both remembering the ancient history and the stories of modern women who have chosen this path, we will contribute to the strengthening and growth of the sangha, and inspire support for that growth.

In this issue, we have articles which honor the ancient history of the bhikkhuni sangha. In “A 2600 Year Journey,” we take you through the full history of the bhikkhunis, to provide a sense of this lineage of women stretching back 2600 years. We also look at the lives of the early bhikkhunis and women in the life of the Buddha, in “If you Honor Me, Honor my Mother Gotami,” and the review of the book, Stars at Dawn. Ayya Tathaaloka reflects on the anniversary of Mahapajapati’s Parinibbana in “Women of Wisdom, Women of Power.”

We then step forward in time, to explore the lives of some of the groundbreaking women who have brought about the revival of this ancient tradition. In a meticulously-researched article by Ayya Tathaaloka, we learn more about the pioneering 1988 ordination in the US, and in ”A Sima of Flowers” we explore the first US ordination which received mainstream attention.

We are also honored to share articles which explore the individual paths of several modern bhikkhunis: Venerable Dr. Bhikkhuni Kusuma, Venerable Saddha Sumana, Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni,  Venerable Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni and Venerable Munissara Bhikkhuni. We celebrate the contributions of the Siladhara in an article from Ajahn Candasiri. Through their lives, this long sweep of tradition is lived out in day-to-day reality.

And most importantly, the date of this publication honors Mahapajapati herself, who according to the sacred biographies, passed into final Nibbana on the full moon in February. Her courage lay the groundwork for our beloved Bhikkhuni Sangha and all Theravada women who practice today.

With this publication we honor Venerable Mahapajapati and all Buddhist women monastics.

At the full moon of September 2016, we began 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—including those who follow eight or ten precepts. This year is an opportunity for us to step back and look at the full scope of this remarkable history, as well as to remember that this sangha is made up of individual women, each of whom has a story which has brought her to the holy life. Our beloved Bhikkhuni sangha is still fledgling—it has drastically less support than the Bhikkhu sangha—but bit by bit, it continues to grow.

Today there are expanding communities of Theravada Bhikkhunis around the globe, which would have been unimaginable 100 years ago. In Buddhism, we are blessed that the Buddha established the four-fold assembly and recognized that women are equally capable of living the holy life and experiencing its fruits. Unfortunately, for many centuries, Theravada women were denied the opportunity to live that reality! Thanks to the efforts of many, that is now changing. We hope that, in both remembering the ancient history and the stories of modern women who have chosen this path, we will contribute to the strengthening and growth of the sangha, and inspire support for that growth.

In this issue, we have articles which honor the ancient history of the bhikkhuni sangha. In “A 2600 Year Journey,” we take you through the full history of the bhikkhunis, to provide a sense of this lineage of women stretching back 2600 years. We also look at the lives of the early bhikkhunis and women in the life of the Buddha, in “If you Honor Me, Honor my Mother Gotami,” and the review of the book, Stars at Dawn. Ayya Tathaaloka reflects on the anniversary of Mahapajapati’s Parinibbana in “Women of Wisdom, Women of Power.”

We then step forward in time, to explore the lives of some of the groundbreaking women who have brought about the revival of this ancient tradition. In a meticulously-researched article by Ayya Tathaaloka, we learn more about the pioneering 1988 ordination in the US, and in ”A Sima of Flowers” we explore the first US ordination which received mainstream attention.

We are also honored to share articles which explore the individual paths of several modern bhikkhunis: Venerable Dr. Bhikkhuni Kusuma, Venerable Saddha Sumana, Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni,  Venerable Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni and Venerable Munissara Bhikkhuni. We celebrate the contributions of the Siladhara in an article from Ajahn Candasiri. Through their lives, this long sweep of tradition is lived out in day-to-day reality.

And most importantly, the date of this publication honors Mahapajapati herself, who according to the sacred biographies, passed into final Nibbana on the full moon in February. Her courage lay the groundwork for our beloved Bhikkhuni Sangha and all Theravada women who practice today.

With this publication we honor Venerable Mahapajapati and all Buddhist women monastics.