International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role

International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role
Name	International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role
Caption	Delegates at an international Buddhist women's conference
Formation	20th century
Type	Conference series
Headquarters	Various
Region served	Global

International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role The International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role emerged as a transnational series of gatherings connecting figures such as Diana Wales, Pema Chödrön, Thích Nhất Hạnh, Dalai Lama, Anagarika Dharmapala and institutions like Nalanda University, University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of Tokyo to address the ordination, leadership, and social engagement of women in Buddhist communities. Early assemblies convened scholars, monastics, activists, and representatives from organizations including UNESCO, United Nations, International Network of Engaged Buddhists, Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women and Bhikkhuni Sangha to debate canonical texts, monastic codes, and contemporary practice. Over successive congresses the event drew participation from national bodies such as Sri Lankan Parliament, Thai Sangha Supreme Council, Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Korean Buddhist Jogye Order and academic centers like Harvard Divinity School, SOAS University of London, University of California, Berkeley. The series influenced policy dialogues involving European Parliament, United Nations Development Programme, World Council of Churches, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and NGOs across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

Background and Origins

The origins trace to interactions among leaders such as Mahāpajāpati Gotamī, historically invoked by modern figures like Anagarika Dharmapala, Ambedkar, P. A. Dharmawardena and reformers within institutions like Mahabodhi Society, Triratna Buddhist Community, Fo Guang Shan, Tibetan Nuns Project, and Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. Early convenings referenced canonical councils such as the First Buddhist Council, Fourth Buddhist Council (Theravada), Third Buddhist Council while engaging scholars from Pali Text Society, Cambridge University Press, Columbia University and museums like British Museum. Donors and hosts included philanthropists linked to Asia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations and monastic patrons from Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Tawang Monastery and Drepung Monastery.

Major Congresses and Milestones

Notable congresses and milestones featured venues including Colombo, Bangkok, Lumbini, Kathmandu, Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, Geneva, New York City and Sydney. Landmark events connected with initiatives such as the Sakyadhita International Conference, the International Conference on Buddhist Women and Education, collaborations with United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and programs at Harvard Divinity School and University of Tokyo. Milestones included recognition by bodies like UNESCO World Heritage Committee for sites such as Mahabodhi Temple Complex, revived ordination rites linked to Dharmaguptaka Vinaya, legal reforms in Sri Lanka and Bhutan, pilot ordination ceremonies in Taiwan, South Korea, Germany and dialogues with the Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center and International Council of Women.

Themes and Agendas

Recurring themes spanned ordination debates referencing texts from Vinaya Pitaka, hermeneutics involving scholars like Edward Conze, Richard Gombrich, A. K. Warder; feminist readings associated with figures like Judith Butler, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak; intersectional activism linking with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and regional advocacy by Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Agendas included scholarship on Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, comparative studies with input from Zen Master Dogen, Shingon, Pure Land, initiatives in lay leadership inspired by Lay Buddhist Movement founders, and programmatic ties to World Fellowship of Buddhists, International Network of Engaged Buddhists and Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Key Organizations and Participants

Participating organizations encompassed Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, International Association of Theravāda Women, Tibetan Nuns Project, Fo Guang Shan, Kagyu Samye Ling, International Network of Engaged Buddhists, Buddhist Geeks, Buddhist Women’s Federation of Japan, and academic centers such as Harvard Divinity School, University of Oxford, SOAS University of London, University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore. Prominent participants included monastics like Ayya Khema, Bhikkhuni Dhammananda, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, scholars like Janet Gyatso, Masatoshi Nagatomi, Donald Lopez Jr., activists like Sujata Murthy, Sakyadhita founders, and political interlocutors from Nepalese Constituent Assembly, Sri Lankan Buddhist Congress and representatives of European Parliament and United Nations agencies.

Outcomes and Impact

Concrete outcomes comprised revived ordination ceremonies for women under lineages such as Dharmaguptaka, policy recommendations adopted by bodies like UN Women, curriculum development at institutions such as Nalanda University, publication series with Routledge, Oxford University Press and increased visibility for projects like the Tibetan Nuns Project and Bhikkhuni Ordination Movement. Impact extended to legal and social change in countries including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Taiwan, and dialogues influencing religious councils such as Sangha Supreme Council (Thailand), Central Tibetan Administration, and human rights mechanisms including International Labour Organization. Scholarly output appeared in journals like Journal of Buddhist Ethics, Buddhist Studies Review, and monographs by Cambridge University Press and University of California Press.

Controversies and Criticism

Controversies addressed tensions among traditions—Theravada resistance, Tibetan lineage disputes, and institutional pushback from bodies like Thai Sangha Supreme Council and conservative factions linked to Mahāyāna establishments. Criticism came from commentators associated with Buddhist Propagation Society, legal actors in Sri Lanka, and debates involving international NGOs such as Human Rights Watch over cultural relativism, neocolonial influences alleged by scholars from National University of Singapore and Peking University, and disputes over authenticity raised by authorities in Lhasa and Bangkok.

Category:Buddhist conferences