precious human birth

From Forest Sangha Calendar 2009/2552 …

Cultivate the company / of those who support your aspiration / for energetic practice of the teachings.

The beauty of pure conduct / conditions whole-hearted well-being / giving rise to complete freedom from remorse.

Dhammapada v.375-6

In the light of recent events, in particular the attempt to legislate the 5 point agreement without due negotiation or sangha process, I would like to invite the Elder council into a forum of dialogue that includes representation from the 4-fold sangha.

The Buddha, in his wisdom, establidhed a four-fold sangha. Let us not, by omission or commission, undo his work.

May this petiton be a turning point away from the old road of ignorance to a new era of dialogue, openess and awareness.

I am very happy to put my name on this petition. May it lead to harmony, happiness, and the flourishing of the fourfold sangha in the West!

I fully support ordination of women and more active role of nuns and lay women as integral parts of Buddhism.

I hope and pray that an amicable solution con be found to this sad problem. As one who loves this Sangha I feel deeply saddened by what has happened.

It would be wonderful if the Bhikkhunis would also speak for themselves. I have heard nothing from them on the subject.

Please let their be equality and mutual respect between women and men Buddhist practitioners, nuns and monks, and laypeople.

Please help reinstate the four-fold sangha that the Buddha created.

Please throw out the offensive Five Points and supprt equality for the Siladharas.

I full heartedly endorse the above statement calling for full gener equality in the Buddhist sangha worldwide. Anything less diminishes us all. Most sincerely with metta, Adi Bemak

I am very saddened to hear of Ajahn Brahmavamso’s expulsion. I strongly support the call for reflection and dialogue on this important issue in the four-fold sangha, to be done in a spirit of trust and love for the Three Jewels.

[comment supplied separately to WAM]

It doesn’t really matter much to me if the Thai hierarchy decide to collaborate in building fourfold Buddhist sanghas or if they decide to remain in their own threefold Thai sangha and criticise everybody who won’t obey them.

Those of us who wish to build a fourfold sangha are doing it anyway, and the actions of the Thai hierarchy have no effect on us whatsoever. The only reasons I’m signing this are (i) concern for practitioners inside Thailand who are under the thumb of the Thai hierarchy and (ii) sadness because the Forest Tradition has taught me much, and I would like them to come along. But if they don’t want to, I’ll be sad but not too concerned.

Equality For Nuns and Stop Burning Incense For God’s and Human’s Sake.

The nature of being, not gender, should be the determining factor for ordination.

Everything changes and it’s time for this change.

Beings are beings no matter the gender,;thus justice demands equality.

The current relationship of the monastic sangha towards women has a deep effect of creating doubt in the dharma in many Westerners newly interested in the dharma. I’ve seen people turn away because of this.

For a while I didn’t think much about the fact that that nuns weren’t the same as monks. It would be good if the elders in Thailand could be brought round to the idea that it is Ok. I suppose it would mean importing some nuns from another strand of established buddhism, with the help of the monks.

Maybe some Ajahns will start ordaining nuns more often anyway and the viharas without any bhikunnis will become less numerous, maybe over the next twenty years.

There is certainly a wind of change blowing, due to global warming, which focuses the mind on what’s important.

The bhikunni order would be under pressure from the start, so would need a lot of support.

Agree with the above completely

I think it is long past time that women be allowed full ordination as Bhikkhunis. Surely we have made some advancement over the last 2,000 years when this rule was first made. It is not rational or just that women are treated as less than men in any sphere of our common humanity. Thank you for your consideration.

I fully endorse this excellent petition. There will a day when fear of the emotion and conflict that is a necessary part of dialogue and growth will no longer be the norm. This is one of the first steps towards that goal.

Congratulations to the new Bikkhunis!

May this forthcoming necessary dialogue be carried out with love and compassion, openly and kindly.

There is so much division and hostility in the world that a debate about women wanting spiritual equality in 2009 really does not need to be complicated.

I have supported the Forest Sangha for 32 years and respectfully request you carefully note lay reaction.

I take refuge in the four-fold sangha. I call on monastic leaders to help make bhikkhunis a supported and respected part of the sangha.

Keeping an open heart is inconsistent with the exclusion of women from the same opportunities within the monastic tradition as men. The current inequalities are palpably unfair and militate against wholeness within a tradition I have loved and supported for over 30 years. I respectfully ask that the Elders reconsider their decision.

With love and metta.

The monks should be ashamed of themselves for discriminating against women.

Please reconsider your position and offer your support for the ordination of nuns.

Thankyou for putting this together, I am very happy to be able to register my agreement with all the points.

if theravadin buddhism is to thrive it must include the other half of the population-woman- not just as recipients but as spiritual leaders alongside their brothers.

Gender discrimination in matters of awakening and enlightenment is not skilful action, nor right action. It is a brazen violation of fundamental precepts found in the eightfold noble path.

It is time to do what we know is right.

Thank you.

Here is an opportunity for responsiveness and genuine leadership. Let Buddhism in the west reinvigorate its radical roots and steer clear of the creep of fundamentalism. This shared inheritance is precious to us all. Mettacitena.

The tide of history is moving…. ultimately it is unstoppable

I don’t think the Buddha was aiming for male dominance. so why should the sangha. This is an Asian cultural attitude and has no real place in the Buddha’s teachings.

Women are equal to men. Spirit is spirit. It is time for balance in this entire world.

It’s time for this to change.

I TOTALY SUPPORT THIE CONTENT OF THIS PETITION

Communication causes hurt between women and men . How can this hurt be resolved ? How can dialogue and polite communication be set up such that monks and nuns resolve their suffering ? This tradition comes from a poor area of Thailand where the boys are sent to the monastery and given precedence in families and the eldest daughter is unloved and expected to be the bread winner by age of 12-14. These girls leave home and become child prostitutes in Bangkok sending the money home. They become the family ATM thinking they will earn favour by doing this horrible job. They never get recongnised and many suffer severe illness or commit suicide as a result. The dark and light of this tradition is polarised .

I would also respectfully note that support for the position against bikkhuni ordination is not to be found in the Vinaya; and that there is no special authority for particular abbots given within the Vinaya or Suttas. Thus it would behoove anyone opposing bikkhuni ordination to cite on what grounds they do so. If those grounds are not in the Suttas or the Vinaya, how may they be called Buddhist?

Women should have the same opportunity that men have to be fully ordained as monastics in our tradition. It’s just that simple. I also hope that some day we can all agree on this for the mutual benefit of all beings everywhere.

It is time to have a dialogue about this and try to move forward. Please allow this monumental change to happen in the spirit of the dharma. Equality for men and women in the sangha.

When the Buddha was about to die Ananda pleaded with him to live out the age. "Who will we ask what is right with you gone?" "Ask yourselves, you know by now" said the blessed one. WE DO KNNOW WHAT IS RIGHT, And it is about time that we admitted that women are our helpmates and we should treat them thus.

Elliott Gould

Until there is bhikkhuni ordination in the west, there will not be a strong monastic presence. It is time to look again at how we can further the teachings of the Buddha in this time in this culture. The Buddha’s teachings need to reflect lovingkindness and compassion for all. The rules for women come from another time and another culture and are in the way of the essence of the teachings.

The sangha depends on monks, nuns and laypeople. At this point, nuns have not been able to fully participate and take their proper place in the sangha. This needs to be addressed by allowing women to fully ordain.

if only buddhism had democracy as part of the eight-fold path, or justice. probably considered a habit of mind.

In the Mahaparanibbana Sutta, the Buddha stated that his dispensation would not be complete without accomplished bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, upasakas, and upasikas. In protecting bhikkhunis, we are protecting and preservting the Dhamma.

Dear Venerable Monks and Buddhist Leaders;

Please do go forward with offering women the full ordination, teaching, and general responsibilities of the male monks. I truly believe you will be strengthening the Dharma and supporting its flowering and spread well into the future. I love the Dharma and I am a woman and I believe its important for the Dharma to lead by example as an institution that lives the principles of equality and compassion and friendliness for all, regardless of gender.

Much metta and hugs,

Bonnie Duran

May all beings be free from gender discrimination.

May all beings be at peace.

May all being recognize their true nature.

May all beings be truly happy.

Ajahn Sumedho is a great anchor of goodness and virtue in our society, the benefits of his conduct are far reaching but the full ordination of women, their equal status and equal worthiness of respect is beyond the need for debate. Clinging to outmoded Thai patriarchal values is a cause of sadness and suffering.

sadhu

It’s time to give women the opportunity to walk the Holy Path again, just like the Buddha intended to.

Having recently stayed at Amaravati on three occasions, I was shocked at what I heard and saw on the surface in regards to these issues, and what it suggested in going deeper. Watching senior nuns wait to eat until younger monks had been fed was a visible sign of how far Theravadin has to travel. If positive change requires income autonomy for western centres, then so be it. Until the ying and yang / anima and animus of gender identity and relations are truly lived, there will not be peace on earth. Please be the change. Perhaps this is an example of east/west yin and yang in action. The east does not always know best! Integration not binary opposition is what we need, I truly believe and have experienced.

To practice Dhama and to be enlighten and to be Buddha’s disciple is a good path. No one has ant right to object this enlightenment pathway. To be reborn as a Sadagami or to be Anagami to up to individual to obtain by going their level best.

I wish for all the bhikkhunis affected and for all living beings to be free from the rigors of samsara.

May all never be separated from the Ultimate joy that is beyond Attachment, Aversion and Delusion.

Enjoy the day!

I wholeheartedly support the request for an open and balanced dialogue, concerning these key issues.

Following Lord Buddha’s guidance [Mahaparinibbana-sutta] we must address difficult issues which arise after his passing. And we must be generous, open, full of compassion and wisdom in our discussions and when we make our decisions.

The issue before the Theravada Maha Sangha — the restoration of the Bhikkhuni order — is critical to us all and too large to be determined only in light of the determinations of the Elders of WPP.

As the Buddha and his earliest disciples didn’t expect that the Dhamma-Vinaya would be put into print and published all over the world they naturally assumed that the Path would be lost with time, gradually becoming corrupted while being orally transmitted generation by generation. For this reason, a continuity in lineage might have seen fundamental for the continuity of the Dhamma-Vinaya (although the Tipitaka never mention that an uninterrupted lineage is necessary for the Sangha).

Now we have the entire Dhamma-Vinaya in book-form. We know exactly what is expected from a bhikkhuni, and how she can lead the Holy Life. Why then should we not give this opportunity to women today? Obviously this is what the Buddha would have wanted — that all people who wishes to follow His path fully, as long as the Path is known in the world, will be allowed to do so. What kind of "Buddhist Sangha" wants to PREVENT people from walking the Path and living the ‘Fully Perfected Holy Life’?!

Off course we should let women practice at the highest level! Stop all this Vinaya-fundamentalist nonsense immediately and come back to the basics of Dhamma. Then it will become easy to see what is right and what is wrong.

THE CREATION OF A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MONKS AND NUNS SEEMS ILLOGICAL, DISCRIMINATORY AND WRONG. GIVEN THE DISCRIMINATION AND ILL-TRESTMENT THAT WOMEN ALL OVER TE WORLD FACE, ONE WOULD HOPE THAT THE BUDDHIST MOVEMENT WOULD OFFER A DIFFERENT AND EQUAL APPROACH.

I’m appalled that such discrimination, unwise action, and speech against women are even present and a necessary discussion within the Buddhist community. It saddens me and I feel shame that it is so.

Sending healing and reconciliatory metta,

Ed LeSage

With much metta and in the spirit of equality of women and men, Bhikkhunis and Bhikkhus and all living creatures, I support the full ordination of women in the Forest tradition, and all monastic and religious traditions. May this transition and evolution come to fruition with peaceful hearts and minds of wisdom by all those who are in respectful dialogue about this issue.

Ajahn Brahm is most sympathetic to all living beings…. so are his actions.

Please take into consideration the importance of the role Buddhist nuns have for women everywhere in the modern world. There role in our lives and in the Buddhist Community are so precious and dear. I respectfully ask you to review your decision.

This has been an essential issue since the time of the Buddha. He appears to have made enormous change in his time toeward gender equality. it behooves us ib that traduition to respond in kind by taking the next step to allow women full ordination. There is noe nlightened reason to hold back on this front (in my view).

May true wisdom and compassion move events forward toward an end to suffering for all. May there be no ill will in this unfolding. May bikkhunis find full acceptance for full ordination throughout the entire sangha. May the goodness of that eventuality become known and clear.

Fear of open discussion is not indicative of an open mind and heart.

Anicca, Anicca, Anicca. What is fair and just must be done.

I whole heartedly ssupport this effort. This is a moment when a core theravadin monastic institution can make a choice: continue with patriarchal practices based on greed, hatred and delusion or take a step toward ending the long history if gender discrimination that has existed in Buddhist institutions.

Holding women in a patronising and protected status may have been appropriate 2,500 years ago when women could expect virually nothing from society.

However society has on the whole become more enlightened ovedr the centuries and this is no longer appropriate, but represents archaic, culturally-conditioned, created form which has nothing to do with Dhamma.

It’s seriously negatively affecting the lives of many women in and around the monasteries and out of compassion and basic repect for fellow humans, the time has come for the Elders to put decency and morality above pedantic adherence to peripheral aspects of the Vinaya.

Buddhism is a living, organic tradition based on personal investigation, discovery and moral responsibility. It is not a dry and empty ritualistic religion based on blind adherence to authority. Please think again Venerable Bikkhus, before the great work of Luang Por Sumedho and other pioneers of Buddhism in the West unravels.

This situation is certainly disheartening. It is time to reconsider the cultural climate at the time of the Buddha and bring his intent into the 21st century.

I am happy to here of the ordinations. May the sangha mature into an equal and diverse community.

Eugene

Praying for another great turning of the wheel , so that all disciples of the Buddha’s way can go forward together in mutual respect and loving kindness.

Hello. Just reminding you it’s 2009.

The resistance within the sangha to ordaining women into the sangha only serves as further evidence of the depth of the corruption of the sangha. As long as the sangha refuses to ordain women they prove themselves not to be sangha

The treatment of women by Thai Buddhists is disappointing. Not only are they forbidden to be ordained as Bhukkhunis, but they are untouchables as far as monks are concerned. This is not what I think the Buddha intended.

The bhikkhuni sangha is a reality. Let’s not cause unnecessary opposition

The decision by Ajahn Brahm to ordain bhikkhunis in Perth is one I highly commend and applaud. I hope very much that this will provoke a sea change in attitudes towards women in Buddhism and lead to full equality between men and women on all levels within the sangha.

My thanks to Clarelynn Rose for bringing this matter to my attention.

Sadly, even within Buddhist circles there seem to be reactionaries who attempt to thwart equality through hierarchies more worldly than spiritually inspired.

All blessings

It is very disappointing that resistance to change comes from the Sangha. I would have thought that they will have be mindful contemplating all the aspects of the BSWA and Ajahn Brahm actions and then clearly establish good intentions in responding to the situation created by BSWA and AB.

Disapointing to see that the Thai/UK/NZ monks could not overcome their Thai/UK/NZ negative Karma.

I just want to express sadness and deep compassion for all involved in this saga.

With Metta

Alain

Balance.

its very dissappoionting, but not a shock, theres to much tradition in a faith tat teaches against traditions

May all beings be well and happy. I hope for true healing and true mutual respect to flower through open caring dialogue.

I think the "fourfold sangha" should be amended to read as "fourfold parissa", just as it is used in the Canon. As the Buddha envisaged the complete fourfold parissa, it would be -

"wise, well disciplined, apt and learned, preservers of the Dhamma, living according to the Dhamma, abiding by appropriate conduct and, having learned the Master’s word, are able to expound it, preach it, proclaim it, establish it, reveal it, explain it in detail, and make it clear; until, when adverse opinions arise, they shall be able to refute them thoroughly and well, and to preach this convincing and liberating Dhamma" — DN 16.

On all other points, Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!

I am truly saddened by this turn of events. Buddhist traditions are famous for their ability both to change the cultures they visit and to be altered by them. The issue of women in Buddhism and the particular question of the ordination of women is crucial to the vitality and health of buddhism in the west. It must be resolved with mindful dialogue, patience and loving kindness.

I fully support Ajahn Brahm’s courageous action to revive Bhikkhuni ordination in Theravadan tradition. He acted for the benefit of all Buddhist women, not for himself!. He is fighting for fairness, gender equality and non-discrimination in Buddhist practice. He acted in accordance with the Vinaya, therefore he is truly the Buddha’s messenger. Congratulations on his bravery !. We are Australians, our Buddhist community is strong enough to be independent !

Excluding women from ordination is neither in the teachings of the Buddah nor in the spirit of the teachings.

Dogmatisim is not Buddhism

Please honor and respect female nuns. Remember, we were all born of women. We are all indebted to the female gender, we owe them respect and love. Where would any of us be without women?

Wake up to the disgraceful inequality you are perpetuating by your action.

Perhaps I do not understand the consequences of disagreement with the elders in Thailand because I find it especially disheartening to hear that the British and Australian centers have agreed to retain a two-tiered hierarchy that discriminates against women.

Hear hear

A good time to check the dynamics of power within the Buddhist community… and how tradition can be at times an obscuration of our true nature.

I am in full support of this petition and in the spirit of wisdom and compassion urge that it be considered fully.

I live in a country that suffers much conflict and inequity. It is my prayer that Buddhism, no matter what tradition, can one day be a shining light of harmony and equity in the world — East, West, North or South — in the spirit of the Dhamma.

I am saddened by the news that this kind of discrimination is occuring in this Buddhist Sangha. I would advise any women reading this to check out the following link: http://www.womenontheedgeofevolution.com/

Vipassana=Insightmaditation, Israel Tovana org. DFP 4

Without knowing the details of the five points and the actual context of their implementation I sign hereby to encourage the forest sangha to take a brave step in accepting full ordination of bhikkhunis on equal term.

Let the bkikkunis lead the way

Knowing the opportunity to hear and practise the Buddha’s teachings is priceless, I add my name to this petition. May this and other gestures support the flourishing of the 4 Fold Sangha for all our benefits. I feel concern that without suitable discussion current discriminatory attitudes will continue to be harmful.

Since when does the ‘MIND" have a gender?

I am dismayed and saddened about the recent developments surrounding the ordination of the Bikkhunis.

Ajahn Brahm, Bodhinyana monestery and the Sangha have my unshakable support.

I cannot help but thinking that Venerable Ajahn Chah would have a chuckle and would be bemused about the aftermath of the ordination — he can be proud having helped creating such strong Buddhists, who do not falter, but follow the path of the Buddha & the Dhamma, prepared to endure the consequences. I certainly am more inspired than ever.

What are the monks afraid of? The Buddha ordained women. This is a cultural and, obviously, sexist stance. Hardly what the Buddha taught.

I would be curious to hear why the monks justify their actions.

For deepening clarity and right action, I sincerely request your open minded and wise attentiion to these concerns regarding the development of gender equality to sustain the treasure of the Dharma.

Fear?

With loving kindness and compassion

As a practitioner of the dharma, I can’t believe that in 2009 people still think that women are unable to reach enlightment. I strongly believe that this is against the spirit of the dharma, and I hope the situation will be remedied soon

I sign this petition with feelings of the greatest respect for the tradition of Ajah Chah and in the hope that whatever decisions come out of this process will further the blessings of the Buddha’s teachings.

I am a psychotherapist trained at Karuna Institute, a psycholtherapy training based in Buddhism. I have heard and sat with monks from this tradition of Achan Chah. I am aware of the inequality between the monks and nuns status, I have seen Tenzin Palmo’s appeal to the Dalai Lama on video. Although I am not properly informed of Bhuddhist law I would like to support this petition to encourage dialogue in the fashion you suggest; this gender difference seems to speak to patriarchy rather than to the ‘heart’.

Hierarchies are created by those who are attached to power, and fear the loss of it: every type of inequality arises as a result. A commitment to equality is essential in every field. It sets a good example to all.

Where are the right view and right action in this? Not found here.

May all beings be free from suffering. May the Elders and find compassion and peace, and may all beings male and female be given Equal Rights to practice and be respected in our community as a whole.

May all truth be known in our world, and may the Vinaya be lived as it was intended to, by our great Lord Buddha. x

A plea from the heart: where can a woman find refuge and comfort in an ancient tradition and be accepted, simply as another human being, without having to battle to be considered equal?

I look forward to being able to embody the teachings of the Buddha, practice the Dhamma-Vinaya and not have to carry outdated cultural biases that compromise one’s aspiration, integrity and health.

my understanding of the Buddha’s teachings is that that the Dharma is about liberation and truth and compassion in a spirit of fearless lovingkindness.

It is my greatest hope that the Council of Elders of the Forest Sangha will promptly acquiesce to this nuns’ petition. This issue of gender inequity among the monastics is an opportunity for the Forest Sangha to play a Noble leading role of cosmic proportion in the contemporary movement of awakening on our planet.

This whole series of events has me totally mystified.

I cannot even imagine how Bhikkhuni can be a problem.

I fully support bhikkuni ordination — I am sure that in their future life — reborn as a woman- monks who are against bhikkuni ordination today, will be happy to be allowed to receive their full bhikkuni ordination.

I am grateful for your courage Ajahn Brahm — Go ahead for more bhikkuni ordination. It is good for Buddhism in any tradition — Hoping that many men will send a letter to support bhikkuni ordination.

Merci

That the world is thus, it need not remain so. Buddha had women in his sangha.

My main practice in the teachings is a Tibetan one which is/has been supported by Theravada teachings and retreats with Forest Sangha monks and nuns alike. I am deeply grateful to them all and I sign this petition in the spirit that I too wish all beings in all traditions to grow and flourish equally

We are disheartened by and disagree with/ We request that It seems to me that the language might be a little strong and imperative if you address it directly to Bhikkhus. They might not take kindly to it or they might be offended by it.

Something like "we are concerned/ we would like to ask humbly/ to suggest" might have been better received. Warmly, Martine

I was a Theravada bhikkhuni for 5 years; now an anagarika for 17 yrs. My teacher, Ajahn Sobin S. Namto, a highly-respected Vipassana teacher said, that in his opinion, the monastic Vinaya should be practiced in the Middle Way, not too strictly nor too loosely. Clearly the non-observance of major Vinaya rules cause problems for monastic and laity alike!. The too scrupulous practice causes similar problems! Scrupulousity in Vinaya matters is a very serious detriment to Vipassana practice due to so much anger, fear, guilt, etc. being repressed by the over-strict observance of the rules. Our Asian friends are generally mainly concerned with the outward appearance of Sanghins. Even if we could follow Vinaya 100% (impossible due to worldly conditions), if we have no deep insight into anicca, dukkha and anatta, we could only realize a birth into a higher realm (according to tradition). Regarding the Thai Forest Tradition, please read "What the Buddha Never Taught," a real eye-opener. A reliable friend who lived at the wat when Ajahn Cha was alive, verified the accuracy of the book. We have to be very CAREFUL regarding the way Theravada monastic Buddhism in brought into this country. Scholarly research demonstrates that the Buddha did not make all the Vinaya rules. Dhamma is supreme; Vinaya is supportive…not the other way around. Others may disagree. We, in the West, have to find our own way, with attendant mistakes and corrections. Asian monastic modalities are only useful as references. We can pretend that we in the West live in Asia, circa 6th Century B.C. The reality is that we don’t! Thank you for reading this and for all your great work.

May the spirit of the creation of this petition help to bring about needed changes within the monastic community in question. I believe it was created out of wholesome intention.

May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

The jounrey of the heart is the same if in the body of a male or frmale!

Perhaps some lovingkindness and the Buddha’s true teaching will be understood, we will all come to see that a male body does not give any higher privlidges than a womens body and that we are all equal as human beings.

This is a foolish bureaucratic decision — self-interested and ultimately self-damaging. The re-emergence of the Theravadin Bhikkhuni-sangha will certainly continue.

Please listen ,, and why not

Yes it’s time to move into the 21st century equal rights for all.

It is time we came into the modern age. Women have a right to be here, be nuns, and be who they want to be. This is a good thing that happened. Now we can take action, offer support and speak out as women in support of truth.

I’ve been practicing since 1967, including time as an ordained Bhikkhu in Burma. A chance to know and savor daily the challenges and rewards of a life dedicated to following the Vinaya, as best I could. Please read — or reread — Bhikkhu Bodhi’s compassionate and respectful presentation of viewpoints on both sides of this issue in his essay "The Revival of Bhikkhuni Ordination in the Theravada Tradition", and search for a way to restore harmony within the Sangha that will honor everyone, in accord with the Buddhasasana.. Thank you, dear ones. Namo Tassa.

I have been a practicing Buddhist isnce the late 70′s. I have found the guidance of women nuns to be very germain to my development. I welcome the feminine energy and wisdom, so different from that of the monks.

I practiced in the Theravadan tradition for many years as lead by a Zen trained teacher. I am now practicing mostly in a Tibetan tradition.

The combination of the two perspectives offer a ballance imposible to find without the input of the nuns side by side with that of the monks. How could it be otherwise?

Please support the ordination of women.

Thank you, Eric Field

As the founder, and senior teacher of the Israel Insight Society, I am deeply involved in the challenging and inspiring process of adapting dharma to the conditions of the Western and Israeli world. Our main ‘lineage’ is that of the Thai Forest tradition. But at the same time the opening of dharma in the west is an opportunity to refresh, re-assess and refine the teachings within the new cultural context. Therefore it is vital that we accept full ordination of bikkunis as equal within the sangha. It may cost us a lot of we dont.

Sincere requests made with great respect…

I fully support Ajahn Brahm. As a South Asian myself, I am shame of what had happened. It was a Buddhist women who became the world’s first female Prime Minister from Sri Lanka, but yet even Sri Lanka has no Bhikkhu Sangha!

May gender be irrelevant to Buddhist ordination + spreading the Dharma in the world.

I am horrified that a movement preventing the flourishing of the dharma is coming from within the ranks of those who should be encouraging it.

The world needs the dharma. The dharma needs strong, dedicated women and men, nuns and monks. Why would this be prevented? Fear and habit…fear and habit.

I have deep respect for Luang Por Sumedho and his teachings have benefited me and many others hugely. Signing this petition does not alter my respect for him as a teacher. There are difficult times when Buddhism meets the west and becomes part of our culture. How do we let it blend with our culture while not losing it’s essence? For me the essence of Awakening has nothing to do with gender so thats why i am disheartened and am signing this petition.

I support the continuous working towards establishing the bhikkhuni ordination as regular within the Theravada tradition aligned/associated with the Thai Forrest lineage — or any other Buddhist lineage that currently dismisses such ordination.

This seems yet another instance of gut-reaction Thai nationalism and anti-foreigner sentiment. How could anyone ever doubt Ajahn Brahm’s commitment to Buddhist principles and his unswerving dedication to spreading them throughout the world?

With so many people are desperately searching for meaning in their lives and turning towards Buddhism, it boggles the mind how the WPP can make such an inward looking, petty and small-hearted decision.

Hopefully the global outpouring of support for Ajahn Brahm will introduce these Thai insular monks to the vast world that lies outside the confines of their little forest.

Buddhism = Awareness. Please be aware that it is 2009

I despair that women are still being discriminated against. I have heard and read Ayya Khema, and know she worked towards Buddhism developing a more enlightened attitude towards feminism.

I am very saddened to hear that Ajahn Brahmvanso has been expelled. I hope that these circumstances can initiate a fruitful discussion to move the wider community towards long overdue gender equality;

It’s wonderful how the internet has made this possible.

This makes me very sad as I have tremendous respect for the Forest Sangha and have learnt so much from it and supported it for over fifteen years. It feels sfo important for this issue to be addressed and equality of men and women to be established. If this does not happen my support for the tradition would be deeply challenged.

With the greatest appreciation and respect for the sangha of monks, I would like to encourage bhikkhuni ordination and complete equality for women. I believe that if the monastic tradition is to survive in the West in will have to include equality for both genders. This value is too highly regarded in the West for it to be past over. The monastic tradition will have a diminishing base of support without it. With deep respect for your offering, Rodney Smith

May men & women unite on the path that is fully open to what the Buddha taught and encourages our hearts to seek the truth with compassion. What is right can only be gained by using wisdom on both sides.

Buddha treated both men and women with equal compassion.

I am in favour of bukkhuni ordination.

I am saddened that a tradition of which I am a part still is mired in beliefs and practices that the civilized world has been abandoning for a century or more.

Laypeople forced a resolution of the dispute at Kosambi during the Buddha’s lifetime by denying food to the monks of Kosambi. This was the first organized boycott in recorded history. I propose that lay practitioners today boycott male Theravadan monastics, withholding donations and disinviting them to teach at our centers, until women monastics receive full equality with men, including full ordination.

A change like this is considered to be monumental in the traditional Buddhist understanding so a positive outcome may take generations to manifest — it is an issue that must be so deeply ingrained in orthodox Buddhism that it would be in the cultural and mental DNA of the monastics generally that truly and unfortunately believe that what is being practised leaves no room for change as that is one of the "Buddha’s prescriptions"

However the seed has been planted now and given time and the right condition it will someday and surely germinate into its full potential as this is an intention that has already been put out into the universal consciousness that awaits a critical mass to take effect.

Tara

Every tradition remains relevant to the extent that it takes social context into account, including ours.

It certainly should not have come to this…Bikkuni ordination should have been legitimate long time ago… with the consent of all…

where is wisdom in all this??? .. not to mention loving kindness, compassion & equanimity!!

I feel it is time and within our capacity to go beyond inherited social , thought, and political structures and ideas which discrimate between genders and rather trust our authority and connectedeness to profound truth to create structures which serve and liberate men and women.

It is hardly in keeping with the Buddha’s deepest teachings that ANYONE—woman or man—be discriminated against.

Please help support bhikkhuni ordination in Thailand. Thank you!

All beings are created equal in the eyes of the great spirit and in the mind-body.

Please stop the gender inequity that exists and reconsider your decision. Respectfully, Terry Ray

My son is a Buddhist monk in the Theravadan Forest tradition, and it is my sincere hope that his practice will include metta for the women who wish to have the same opportunity for growth and enlightenment that he has.

May all those people who are wholly unjustified, severely punishing Abbot Ajahn Brahmavamso, and are causing great distress for the newly ordained Bhikkhunis, for the monks in Bodhinyana Monastery, and for 99% of the female and male buddhist Sangha worldwide, for upholding the command of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, to allow women to be fully ordained Bhikkhunis, quickly come to their senses, and immediately undo the expulsion of Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso and Bodhinyana Monastery from the Ajahn Chah community.

as a westerner recently becoming a "member" of a Thai Theravada temple I understand the importance of full Bhikkhuni ordination. I believe that in 25 plus years being established here, the Theravada tradition has not drawn in many like myself unless they are married to a Thai partner. I recently discovered Buddhism and I love my temple and the peace I have come to know from the community. The fact is that in America women’s voices are heard. If the Theravada’s do not adapt to this, as the original Thai communities move to their next rebirths the tradition will fade away in the west. American born Thais, being the larger majority, will lose interest. I find it far more important to expound the Dhamma, putting the Buddha’s excellent path into action, leading to a far better world in which to live. Giving more the ability to end Samsara.

I have a great love for the dhama and it has had a great impact for good in my life.

However, I have long been distressed by the inequality that is shown to women.

This may have been valid 2000 years ago, but in today’s world it is time that women of Sanghas be allowed the same status as in the rest of the civilized world.

In Metta

I completely agree whole heartedly with the petition

Thank you very much whoever has coordinated this!

Do you guys really want to go the same way as the catholic church which I grew up in and left 30 years ago?

The evolution of Buddhism has always taken account of cultural contexts. In a culture where the equality of women is beyond question not alone are we doing harm to women by this inequality but we are also doing potential harm to the mature integration of Buddhims in western contexts.

May the teachings of the Buddha prevail and the connectedness of all living things be realised.

Let the Buddhas true Dharma teaching be the guide.

Kindly request the direct possibility for females to be ordained as nuns in the theravada tradition and all other Buddhist traditions.

When will males stop being bullies, and not interpret the Dharma only for their own benefit. It was never the Buddhas’ intention for anything he taught to cause division nor to in any way disadvantage.

That aside, we are now no longer in BC, but in the 21st Century.

I respectfully support this effort and the Buddha’s original intention to give women the opportunity to join the Sangha. With Blessings of the Triple Gem to all on both sides of this issue.

With all due respect to the Ven. Elders, I commend the Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso for participaing in the ordination of a Bhikkhuni. I further feel that at some point in the near future, it should become common practice for senior nuns to ordain nuns.

If the Buddha declared that women (nuns) are equal to men (monks) then that declaration should be put into action, not just words. Although the lineage of Theravada nuns may have died out, if nuns are ordained by monks whose lineage continues, does that not legitimize the nuns? If not, then perhaps the monk’s ordination of nuns has no validity, either.

The Buddha advised us to question everything.

I question the outdated practice of the subtle discrimination that the male-dominated Buddhist hierarchy continues to apply against women. After 2.550 years, it’s time to move on.

Ajahn Brahmavamso is and has been a inspiration to my life. I support him 100%

Original Sutras of The Buddha support nonseparation of all sentient beings -nondistinction, nonseparate self-therefore neither male nor female are designated, as they are mere categories imposed by discursive mind . Even such a debate as represented herein is too much extra on the path of uncovering intrinsic Buddhanature. May all beings be respectfully reminded that our lives are very brief!

In the spirit of understanding, wisdom, and loving-kindness, I request that a dialogue regarding moving toward gender equality be started and sustained so that we may all fully understand the wisdom of equality within the Buddhist communities and how equality is within the Dharma and Buddhist practice.

I believe equality is the order of the 21st century, as well as a deeper understanding of Buddhism.

I support the inclusion of women, as ordained members of the monastic community within the Theravadan Forest tradition — where they’ve served for hundreds of years with equal dedication and reverence for the Buddha’s teachings. It is of utmost importance that those with the deepest regard for honoring the Buddha’s teachings receive proper recognition for doing so.

Thank You,

Margaret Darby

It is clear that women and men shall share rights and duties equally, including in Buddhism.

Women must be given the same empowerment as men.

May we all listen and deliberate with wisdom and compassion remembering that the Lord Buddha created a four-fold Sangha of monks, nuns, laywomen and laymen and that we need the support and unique practice of each other. Homage to the Triple Treasure.

May the hearts and minds of the Elders be open and generous

Please open your hearts and minds to the restoration of a woman’s right to ordain and to teach the dharma, equally with men.

As an Ordained Monk of the Buddha-dharma, I believe in equality for all, including the Nun tradition!

Dear friends in the Dharma,

I support women receiving full ordination as Bhikkunis. In the West I see this as a natural expression on the Dharma and the Buddha’s teachings taking roots on our soils, not just geographic one’s, but also cultural one’s. This includes obviously our minds.

I am also saddened that there is such a resistance and possible lack of openness to consider this subject ( full ordination for women ).

There should be room for acknowledgment, room for looking honestly and openly in to this subject, which the natural request of women to ordain, as we have done as men, including receiving the full ordination.

A tradition is not threatened by change, but can be threatened by blindly adhering to forms that are causing suffering ( the Catholic Church is a good example of this ).

I have been ordained in Ven.Thich Nhat Hanh’s tradition since 1997, as a novice, and 1998 as a Bhikshu. I have been in many of the full ordination ceremonies where our teacher has transmitted the full ordination to women, with an ordination < platform > of ten high monks and ten high nuns ( mostly Vietnamese ). Through these important ceremonies and through Ven.Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and actions, I have seen that the full ordination of women have posed no threat to the Bhikshu community or to our monastic tradition, on the contrary, some times I have felt that it may actually be women that will maintain and carry through this tradition on to the future.

Imagine it would be the other way round, that women where "in power" and that we as men, could only aspire to live in the sangha as "second class citizens", that major activities, including ordination, transmission of precepts and other important sangha decision making processes, that condition our life style as monastics, would only taken by women and that we as men where relegated to just passing figures with no real and eloquent < function > in the sangha. As a Westerner, living in a mostly Asian sangha, I know how it feels like to be a " second class citizen", this is not a critique to our Vietnamese brothers and sisters, but I recognize the mind set that looks at us at times as " children " or not able to fully grasp the depths of the Dharma, or not being really " fully Buddhist ".

This is changing, and it needs to. As Westerners, we are not " second class Buddhists " or monks.

The same goes regarding the theme of full ordination for women within the Theravada tradition.

I do hope there can be a deeper dialogue and a deeper practice of looking inside of our motivations and what it means to be a monk or a nun now, in this modern world. I believe we should be open to explore wider horizons for the sake of the continuity of the Buddha, the Sangha and the Dharma.

Thich Chan Phap Son,

Plum Village, France.

The Buddha walked side by side with ordained Nuns in his time, why would modern men, especially Buddhist Monks treat Nuns/women as second-class?

Comments from Pali scholars convince me that there is no reason to bar ordination of women. The ban therefore shows unreasonable attachment to rites and rituals (and meaningless traditions) — the 3rd fetter.

Equality is something that should be shared and celebrated by all mankind.

Full ordination of women is essential to the validity of Buddhism in the West and throughout the world.

Please reconsider the ill advised decsion.

Please consider the enlightenment of all beings, and the fact that they take all forms, male, female, LGBT, etc.

May wisdom and compassion guide us all. May we see the truth of what is and be at ease.

It is my wholehearted wish to suport this petition.

Our birth in this human body as male or female cannot be used to discriminate…to prevent a consciousness from reaching the truth. How curious and absurd that this occurs in Buddhist organizations.

my name in the Mindfullness Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh is "Protector of the Source".

I sincerely hope you listen to the voices on this petition.

Blessings and a bow to you,

Pratt

Protector of the Source

i am a practicing buddhist in the theravadan tradition and i’d like to see women be able to ordain. the buddha ordained women so why stop now/

It is time to remember that a strict patriarchy is not what the Buddha taught,

Respectfully, please consider the petition, and your actions.

We live in an egalitarian, democratic society where women and men have the same rights and should have the same opportunities in life. Any form of discrimination, based on gender, race, religion or ethnic background is regarded as illegal on the Australian Federal Law, contravenes the public opinion of a multicultural, tolerant, modern society.

from a sincere and devout Buddhust

justice needed……

Schism in the west is almost definitive of our culture…I support this move towards gender equality, but patience (khanti) and kindness (metta) are desperately needed to make this work. May all beings be well, including all those men at WPP.

I support Ajahn Brahm and the ordination of the Bhikkunis

I hereby express my dissent and make these requests in the spirit of the Dhamma — that the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha may find a healthy ground to grow and flourish in the world for the benefit of all beings as is clearly stated in the above petition.

Tom

What do you think the Buddha would have done if he had been setting up the monastic order today in the West? Would he not have been aghast at the discrimination?

May those who receive this petition apply the wisdom of the dharma when considering it.

I find both the position of the nuns at the UK monastries, and the expulsion and delisting of Ajahn Brahms and consequences for Wat Bodinyana, extremely distressing and quite deplorable. While I do not know them at first hand, I am absolutely sure that these wonderfully spiritual people have only ever done their best in the best of Buddhist traditions. I cannot express strongly enough my horror at this situation which I find totally unacceptable. I urge the decision makers to rethink these matters and reverse their decisions.

Sincerely

Paule Sachs

we all walk the same path

With deepest respect and gratitude to the elders of the Buddhist tradition I choose to follow with all my heart, please don’t hinder the spiritual development of any adult person who comes to the Buddhadhamma for refuge. Please consider this issue with open hearts and reasonable minds. Every human being on this planet deserves the right to find their way out of suffering.

The Lord Buddha established a Bhikkuni order, and so re-establishing it would seem to be consistent with his intention.

It’s sad that, once again, the fight for equality brings punishment to those who do what is right by those who profess to know better.

I fully support the EQUAL ordination of the nuns and the monastics who participated in the ordination. I offer Metta to ALL who have influence in the matter. May we align our practices with the 21st century. Thank you

I greatly believe it would benefit all beings to create equal gender opportunities and representations within all Buddhist and other religious orders which are committed to serving humanity.

The full ordination of women is an idea whose time has come for all schools of Buddhism. I fully support the actions of Ven. Ajahn Brahmavamso and his monastery and pray that the Venerable Elders of the Forest Tradition reconsider their actions in this regard.

We believe Buddha taught us about equanimity, non-attachment to views and inclusiveness. Buddha practiced non-discrimination he ordained ‘untouchables’ and noble men, men and women. Buddha’s foster mother became the first Buddhist nun. If we are to continue the work of the Buddha we need to be in touch with the spirit of what he taught through his example and not get caught up in dogma.

The discordance in the Sanghas of Amaravati and Cittaviveka is so upsetting and unsettling for us all but sadly has become necessary to achieve gender equality.

I salute the brave monks in Perth Australia.

According to Buddha, men and women are equal

and equally have the Buddha nature,

I would like to see fairness and equality within the Nun and Monk communities.

Well done to the courageous Monks Sangha in Australia for the Ordaination of The Bhikkhunis.

I support this equanimity in ordination wholeheartedly. It is the only Dhamma way.

If it wasn’t the Venerabl Ajahn Brahmavamso now, it would be another Venerable later.

Gender equality is long overdue in Buddhism and I wish for women to be treated equally.

the most of my dhammateacher are women.

Buddha start with Bhikkhuni ordination in his lifetime.

Its time to go back to our roots.

I support Bhikkhuni ordination , and i hope all Buddhists support the Bhikkhuni ordination too.

May all beings are free from suffering

martin (dhammavaro)

Dear Dhamma Community (All Sanghas and Lay Community)

This is an appeal to bring equal rights to all who practice Dhamma. Since the Dhamma ultimately says there’s no self — anatta), why distinguish between male and female which are just concepts in the first place? Females have long been oppressed as well as males who have lived in fear. Peace and love is the answer, what’s the question? Let’s open to our fears and transform our hearts — so more wisdom and love can grow… I am not a Tipitaka scholar, but I do know a couple of important sources of consideration where the Buddha offers us flexibility in the future to help make decisions so the Dhamma can grow, thrive, prosper and benefit all…

In the Maha-parinibbana Sutta: Last Days of the Buddha (DN 16), the Buddha tells Ananda that after he is gone — the Sangha can drop the lesser rules if they decide they are no longer relevant. Even the Buddha in his foresight wanted to give space in the future for what’s reasonable… The Buddha also left us a set of principles that can still be used as a standard to judge new circumstances. These are known as The Great Standards. Although the Vibhanga and Khandhakas cover an enormous number of cases, they do not cover every possible contingency in the world. As for cases that did not arise during his lifetime, The Buddha established the following four guidelines for judgment, called the Great Standards (a separate set from those he formulated at Bhoganagara) for judging cases not mentioned in the rules.

Four Great Standards, (from Vinaya, Mv.VI. 40)

1. "Bhikkhus, whatever I have not objected to, saying, ‘This is not allowable,’ if it fits in with what is not allowable, if it goes against what is allowable, that is not allowable for you.
2. "Whatever I have not objected to, saying, ‘This is not allowable,’ if it fits in with what is allowable, if it goes against what is not allowable, that is allowable for you.
3. "And whatever I have not permitted, saying, ‘This is allowable,’ if it fits in with what is not allowable, if it goes against what is allowable, that is not allowable for you.
4. "And whatever I have not permitted, saying, ‘This is allowable,’ if it fits in with what is allowable, if it goes against what is not allowable, that is allowable for you."

Treated with care, these Great Standards should enable bhikkhus to live according to the Vinaya Rule in, for example, isolated communities in non-Buddhist countries with non-tropical climates. They form a touchstone for modern conditions.

Through the years, the Mahathera’s have been cautious and protective in wanting to preserve the Dhamma — so they have kept things the same for generations. They are uncertain on agreeing on what’s lesser and what’s not – so they decided to not change anything.

The time has come to bring more equality to women who want to dedicate their lives to Dhamma. I hope the monastic sangha can rise together to support this. This can only help the Dhamma grow and prosper. The world is moving towards equality, it’s time for an update.

I am a former Bhikkhu and also lived as a lay person in a Theravada forest monastery in the Burmese tradition over 8 years — living very closely with the monks. While living at the monastery, I remember many women coming to the monastery and seeking full ordination. They were treated very kindly and told they could take 10 precepts. That was the best that could be offered. I saw first hand the deep disappointment and despair of women not being treated equally and the profound pain it generated.

How can the Dhamma grow if we are unequal? Is wisdom measured by gender or by insight and compassion? Place yourself in their position, how would you feel if this was a Bhikkhuni dominated world and you could not fully ordain as Bhikkhus? How would you feel? It has been said that we as lay people have all the teachings to attain deeper freedom but why not support women to have full status as Bhikkhunis if that is what they want? What is at risk if women become Bhikkhunis? Let us not forget how important women and men are. In truth, we cannot survive without each other.

I have great reverence for the monastic sangha and apologize if I am offending anyone. I do however feel a need to speak out.

With folded palms, In peace, Bob Stahl

Oh how wonderful it is to be a woman aspirant to the holy life in Australia at this moment and how grateful I am to my great friends and teachers Bhikkhuni Ajahn Vayama and Bhikkhus Ajahn Brahm and Bhante Sujato.

I do not know enough about the expulsions to make a judgement one way or another, but I do support all the other statements.

As a ‘Westerner,’ I respect both monks and nuns in the same way, because as I see it, they lead the same way of life and they have made the same committment.

Please take the right action to support the full ordination of women. Thank you.

I hope the decision by the senior monks will be re-visited and that all will come back into wisdom and wake up. Hopefully greed, aversion, and ignorance will not continue to dominate the minds of these men and they will see clearly the truth of equality and the meaning of freedom for all.

Equality for women… after all… this is 1959!

I humbly request that dialogue be engaged on this topic in a spirit of openness, mutual respect, and truth-seeking.

I fully support the movement towards Bikkhuni ordination as soon as possible. I now live in the USA but am originally from Australia/New Zealand.

Please keep me informed of your progress.

In addition to signing this petition to bring gender equality, I would like to draw attention that, TAIWAN IS NOT A PROVINCE OF CHINA. TAIWAN IS AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY as we all know. While Hong Kong is now part of China, why is isn’t it listed as Hong Kong, China? And while Taiwan is an independent country, it is listed as a province of China. Please correct this immediately. [corrected]

I respectfully request that there be open dialogue and debate on the question of bikkhuni ordination

As long time members of Bodhinyana we support everything Ajahn Brahmavamso has done as is doing for Buddhists in the Western World to promote the teachings of the Lord Buddha. Long may he continue giving inspiring teachings and maybe WPP and Ajahn Sumedo should listen to dhamma talks by Ajahn Brahm to gain insight, tolarance amd metta themselves. We cannot allow ourselves to become a mirror of the Vatican ways of faith. Think about it .."you must agree with us or your OUT’ What rubbish!! Long live AB and Bodinyana

Women have been integral to Buddhist teachings since the beginning. It is beyond the time to give women the equal treatment they deserve. Think about it — What Would Buddha Do?

Should have been done long ago. Hopefully it will also happen soon in the tibetan monastic tradition

We our living in the 21 centry, there shouldn’t be any women’s discrimination. I believe women who whole hearetly and willingly be ordianed as bhukkuni truly followed the path of the Buddha and be enlightented. What are the anti-bhkkuni ajahns afraid of? Are there enlightened yet?

We all have fear of change, we all cling and crave security, this is part our conditioning and our challenge. To cling to any form of spiritual practise has everything to do with fear and the need for an identity, and it has nothing to do with awakening. We need to remain aware and compassionate about our own fears and clinging, and the fear and clinging of others.

Authentic Buddhist practise requires all of us to master the challenge and challenge the master.

May all beings be well and happy x

by removing the barrier of gender in it’s own community the Sangha is sending a strong message of oppeneness and acceptance to the rest of the world…

I fully support the points on this petition and I hope that the elders and everyone involved come to a wise and peaceful conclusion

I whole heartedly support the nuns and their struggle with this antiquated and mean spirited injustice. What are these men so afraid of. Are they so insecure despite their supposed practice that they need to resort to the subjugation of females to protect themselves from some perceived threat?

Thank you!

The petition says it all. It is distressing to see the elders hardening around a concept, a fixed view. We need more openness and clarity of vision.

Although I am a Zen priest, I also practice in the vipassana tradition, and have a deep respect for the Thai Forest tradition. I understand that it is difficult to revoke old cultural forms within a monastic tradition that extends back to the Buddha’s time, but I respectfully urge you to consider that these forms are no longer helpful or appropriate. Bows.

As a Zen priest practicing with women — lay and ordained — I think Buddhism’s historical disrespect toward and disempowerment of women is a disgrace that must be acknowledged and remedied.

May Kwan Yin and Majushri continue the eternal dance of the masculine and feminine, a dance of complete recognition and visibility, without which there would be no Buddha, Dharma, or Sangha. May the ignorance of Exclusion be washed away by Buddha’s tears.

The Buddha in justifying the relegation of the nuns to a status below all monks invoked only one reason: the cultural standards of his day. The Buddha also taught "Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations."

What are the reasons for denying bhikkhuni ordination and rules which subordinate women?

Thank you for your support

with the spirit of the Buddha, it was the Buddha who gave us this heritage. Noone can take away this noble heritage from us, the daugthers of the Buddha.

What we are facing is mostly our brothers are lack ing of the true spirit. Decision is made from the agreement drawn neither from the intention of the Buddha nor the study of the text.

Before we are Theravadins, we must be Buddhists.

Our brothers seems to insist on being Theravadins continuing the intention of the first council rather than the respect for the Buddha. Indeed it was the Buddha’s intention to establish Buddhism with the responsibility of the fourfold Buddhists.

with respect to my brother bhikkhu sangha and all within these fourfold Buddhists.

dhammananda

By the way it is not Theravadan but Theravadin.

Thank you for drafting this petition!

I will be in total disgrace of the Buddhist religion if women are not treated as "equal" to men. In order for a woman to be treated and respected as an expert in a field of study she must be "recognized" as being equal, not subordinate, with men.

I have a great respect to the Forest Sangha of Achan Chah lineage.

At the same time, I sincerely believe that the Theravada Bikkhuni ordination is possible and legitimate, based on the facts I learnt from many research findings published by respectable buddhist scholars.

Therefore, I humbly request the great Sangha to re-consider the decision based on original Vinaya.

Sadhu! Sadhu!! Sadhu!!!

The ordination of Bikkhuni is re-forming the Buddha’s Sangha, and it have my full support.

Women who wish to ordain as Buddhist nuns should have the exact same rights as men and be able to ordain to the highest level available to men.

The Buddha didn’t discriminate between the sexes; nor should we.

I feel there should be equal rights for all Buddhists and teachers of Dharma, and sense this move is lacking in equanimity.

With respect to the elders of the Sangha, but is time for change!

I believe wholeheartedly that the time has come for courageous and enlightened action if the Sangha is to continue to grow and thrive in the West.

The current position of women in the Sangha is surely more to do with cultural traditions that with the spirit of Dhamma

Discrimination against women practitioners and those wishing to take robes has been an issue in other branches of Buddhism, but has been resolved by and large. Please take the example from them and re-visit your decisions recently taken. Men and women are all HUMAN BEINGS and for that reason alone, there should not be discrimination. The modern world is not in the same position as at the time of our Lord Buddha, when women’s lives were at risk should they have become wandering sangha.

I thank you, in the Dharma for your consideration.

Hilary Shearman

I first met Ajahn Chah in 1977 in Thailand, as well as Ajahn Sumeto in a group with Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield. Since then I have become an advanced practitioner in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. There is no obstacle in Tibetan Buddhism for women to receive full teachings and ordination. It is unthinkable, but fully believable that rampant sexism exists in Asian countries, and thus their male dominated monasteries. I currently live in mainland China and although Buddhism is frowned upon, the same type of outrageous and unacceptable sexism exists here. Shame on the elders, for trying to contain women based on gender.

Happy to accept support and service from the lay women. Happy to deny those same women the same opportunities that long ago, even the Buddha himself granted them. Where is skill in these actions?

I feel incredible sad about what is happening, and wonder how the practice of the Buddha’s teachings have resulted in such a lack of compassion

We have, in the Dhamma, all the necessary tools and guidance to effect a compasionate response to allow for the full ordination of Bhikkhunis.

I wish peace, harmony and goodwill to all involved in this issue and its resolution.

Thank you, honoured leaders, for reading this petition and considering it thoughtfully and compassionately. My best wishes to you .

Since 1992, I have been a fellow practitioner of Buddhism like you, but by chance clothed in the body of a woman.

Change is long overdue — look to other traditions for confirmation of benefits of broader view.

May the Western WPP elders show their wisdom and compassion

To spread Theravada Buddhism to the west and the western educated world, we will need to address the lack of nun ordination issue sooner or later.

I am glad that Aj Brahm took the step to participate in the nuns ordination.

Lastly I hope all parties would come together to resolve this issue peacefully and let there be no bad feelings (which only serve as obstacles to enlightenment)

I wholeheartedly agree that we, especially women, should support this cause!

in the spirit of the Dhamma — that the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha

Well don! Saddhu, Saddhu, Saddhu!

We are here together.

Discrimination of any person due to creed, colour, race, cultural group or origin or gender is contrary to the spirit of the Dharma.

Women should enjoy equal rights in all forms, in all practices, and in all realms of any and all religious, spiritual, wisdom traditions and in all aspects of life in general.

Please allow women to embark on the Middle Way

The Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara of Tampa supports full equality for bikkhunis.

As a friend of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, who has quietly fought, all her life, for a full ordination for Tibetan Buddhism nuns, i feel strongly about this issue. With humility and persistence, she pursued this aim, and won the respect and support of most Tibetan Lamas including HH Dalai Lama, who now fully support her on this issue, and fully support the nuns’ aspirations in general.

I passionately hope this petition brings about gender equity within monastic environments — it has been far too long unaddressed.

Hallo friends, I would like to know more about the recent legislation of 5 points created at Amaravati and the monks of the Elders’ Council, may I please have more details about it?

Thanks and my best wishes for your struggle

With deep gratitude to all who enabled the recent Bhikkhuni ordination in Australia.

May all beings be free from suffering and from the causes of suffering.

mahaprajapati

well done ajahn brahm and sangha! no reason not to ordain woman as bhikkhunis.

Dear Friends,

I hope that one day, like in the tradition I practice, that that which is deeper in all life is not judged by gender or anything else………

With deep bows to all beings, all of life,

Rachel

thank you for doing this important work

All reach enlightenment. All.

This issue is has become a ‘political’ one. It needs to be resolved from the Dhamma not be authority.

As full human beings, women are fully capable of entering, progressing, and gaining full attainment on the Buddhadhamma path, including full ordination in the Buddhist monastic sangha. The censure of Ajahn Brahm (for participation in the full ordination of nuns) is, quite simply, attachment to views. He is a teacher of great achievement, loving kindness, and compassion.

Women have an enormous and unique contribution to give to the teaching of the dharma and should be considered the equals of men in this regard. There is no superior or inferior in the Way, including gender.

We need to impower women to take the tradition forward.

The dharma does not discriminate. Human beings do. In this time of great suffering for humanity, we need the empowerment of as many enlightened beings as possible. If you stand in the way of women, you stand in the way of a powerful force for healing the planet. Please wake up to the moment.

Please allow women to be ordained. Women can practice buddhism as well as men. Please cultivate the highest principles of the Buddha–loving kindness for all people.

Thank you.

Every human being has the same elements of rupa and nama. And as buddhist one should treat others as a holistic being, not the appearance.

Those monks who disagree with the ordination of nuns have no hope of reaching enlightenment. And their karma must surely be, to be reborn as women who wish to be ordained, but are refused by unenlightened monks.

The reason that I am a Buddhist is because it was Buddha who stood up against the dominant culture in India 2,500 years ago and accepted ALL peoples onto the path equally — the caste system was denied, and women were allowed to practice Buddhism. This is why Buddhism spread like wildfire and had such appeal at that time: an enlightened person stated that all people could practice the path, and that women could ordain. I am a Buddhist, and I am a feminist. I would not be a Buddhist if Buddhism did not have it’s roots in egalitarianism. In history and now, the distortions of the teachings do not come from Buddha, from enlightenment, they come from humans making human errors on the path — and falling into fear and the 3 poisons — passion, aggression, and ignorance. Please stay true to enlightenment — to the Buddha, and allow women to ordain with equal rights.

Whilst the aim of Buddhism is to get beyond the conditioned world, Buddhist institutions operate in the world. There is no reason why at this historical juncture that bhikkunis should be barred from learning from, participating in and eventually contributing to the wisdom of the Forest Tradition.

I support this partition and look forward to the Forest Sangha, both East and West, permitting the ordination of bhikkunis.

It is unbelievable that blind tradition had kept the Buddhist community from doing the right thing for so long. Buddhists! Unbelievable, and disheartening. I urge the lay community of the western monasteries to demand from the monks their position, and to boycott dana to them if they are sexist.

We wholeheartedly support these aspirations

Please do the right thing–lets get patriarchy out of the monasteries — & flinally.

It’s time to bring balance back to duality through the embracing of the Sacred Feminine.

What would the buddha say?!

As a woman lay practitioner I would like to see balance and fairness between the four-fold Sangha reflecting common, universal values of equality and harmony and to see full ordination for Bikkhunis within each tradition.

I fully support Ajahn Brahm’s courageous action to revive Bhikkhuni ordination in Theravadan tradition. He is fighting for justice, gender equity and non-discrimination in Buddhist practice. He acted for the benefits of Buđhist women, not for himself. He acted in accordance with the Vinaya, therefore he is truly the Buddha ‘s messenger. Congratulations on his bravery ! We are Australians, our Buddhist community is strong enough to be in dependent !

How can there be such inequity, inequality, lack of respect etc. Surely this sexism goes against all the buddha taught and the dharma teaches.

You have all my heart and good wishes supporting you.

Full support and compassion for the bhikkhunis and their just cause

Astounding that we find the need to address basic human rights in a "wisdom" tradition.

We are one people. Buddha ordained his mother and there was a woman’s sangha.

It is time that all the world was validated as equal and soverign . The evolution of Gaia is constant and inevitable . We are one.

In Buddhism, everyone is equal — whether man or woman. What is important is for us to walk the Path to Enlightenment. What’s wrong with bhikkunis having equal status as a bhikku? In fact, the founder of one of the largest Buddhist charity organisation in the world Tzu Chi of Taiwan is a woman, Master Cheng Yen. Remember the teaching of non-self and we can then see how silly this issue was handled by the WPP elders. Tradition and lineage do not mean a thing as the broader teachings of Buddha hold supreme.

…

True Nature is neither masculine nor feminine, yet all expressions have this true Buddha Nature. How can we exclude any human from full participation in the path to awakening?

Adding women to the ranks of monks is the only right and humane choice to consider. It will only strengthen the power of Buddhism.

As Zen Buddhists where the tradition has no differentiation between male and female ordination we strongly feel that it is time that certain traditions should respect the equality of the individual.

It should be open to ALL genders!

I presently have two female teachers which I study under both of whom I have and continue to learn a great deal. There is no reason to not ordain women other than sexism. We are all human beings.

It is time for the Thai sangha authorities to grow up. Shakyamuni Buddha would be shocked at what is being done in his name.

I join with others signing this petition.

It’s sad to see that this is still an issue here in the 21st Century.

The View of the Buddhadhama does not have any room for discrimination of any kind.

View and action are different. And it’s clear that the action of the Sanghas throughout Buddhist history have not been in line with View when it comes to gender relations.

Hoping for an enlightened approach to the ordination issue soon.

Peace,

Rodney

I support Bhikkhuni ordination in all Buddhist traditions.

Life is complete by itself fulfill by Loves. It has create animal, humans, insects, fish in both two gender. There is no way we can say that one is «better then the other» Deepening Life exploration is a gift that everyone can make for our self and by the way the self of each living beings

It is difficult to believe , in this day and age, that any western organization, religious or otherwise would face any sort of reprisal whatsoever for endeavoring to move women onto equal footing with men. I don’t care that Achan Brahm belongs to a hidebound Thai tradition. The idea that he should have sought approval or have given notice of his intent to ordain women is ludicrous given the entrenched patriarchal hierarchy that governs Thai monastics — as if they are even open to any discussion!

I support the nuns in the Theravada.

It is long overdue. Thank You.

Through the practice of meditation, one experiences non physicality of ones body..There’s Oneness with All that is.

Therefore, there’s no gender..We are simply One.

Non-equality between men & women is Ego at it’s finest!!

Metta..yeshe

Emptiness is gender neutral.

I call on our Buddist communities to cease from making distinctions and creating power structures to enforce them around gender, sexual expression/orientation, race, age or ability. May all beings have equal conditions to awaken.

I have been a supporter (formally as a steward as well as a lay supporter providing the material needs of the Sangha) of the Ajahn Sumedho group of monks and monasteries (in particular Bodhinyanarama in Wellington) for over 25 years. I am deeply in accord with the view that in order to awaken one’s heart, the environment and the conventions must provide a more conducive and supportive elements suited to the time and place.

We all inter-are with one another and with everything in the universe–why can’t women–who inter-are with men–ordain as monastics?????

The Buddhist women teachers who have influenced our Buddhist beliefs and brought us so much peace, guidance, joy, health and energy are surely the equals of the Buddhist men teachers we have experienced. In this day and age, we would urge you to recognize the equality of the sexes and affirm that all who have the wisdom and dedication to teach should be allowed to be recognized. Thank you.

women are an important voice in sharing the Dharma. We need more women in leadership positions in all traditions of Buddhism.

YAH, go women monks go!!!

I send metta to all those participating in this discussion.

It would be useful to har why the sangha excludes women’s ordination? In general I am dismayed at the expulsion of such a great teacher. I cannot imagine Buddha doing that.

As a practicing Episcopal, I heartily accept the ordination of women as priests and Bishops. The ordination of women has vastly enhanced the tradition. In no way has the acceptance of women as spiritual guides at a high level deterred the spiritual diligence of men.

It is deeply saddening to read of these events at a time when it is no exaggeration to say that the possible future of humanity is at stake, due to global heating, over-population, excessive consumption and the resultant shortages of water, food and other resources to sustain life. We need a quantum change in our thinking to understand that we are all interdependent, and live on a planet where everything is interconnected. At a time when more than 2 billion of our sisters and brothers do not have access to the four requisites, it is indeed saddening that the Buddhist community still finds it so difficult to overcome wrong thinking, and apparently lacks the wisdom and compassion to see that all human beings have the capacity — if they hear the Dharma — to reach enlightentment.

May wisdom and compassion prevail!

May we all live and share the Dharma in this troubled world!

Traditions change, times change, and if Buddhism wants to survive it has to change too. Women are spiritually and ethically equal to men. Get used to it.

It is time!!

Until Nuns were fully ordained there would be no Four Fold Assembly which the Buddha himself endorsed. Therefore Buddhism could not in this modern world continue to thrive. What ordaining Bikkhunis has done is to ensure the survival of Buddhism throughout the world and given women from all nationalities a place to be seen as equal to the male sangha.

I feel the Buddha taught a Dharma that can be integrated into all cultures. To condemn and hinder equal opportunities for humans based on gender is not in accordance with the Dharma as I understand it. I honour the courage and the commitment to Dharma of all those involved in this Bhikkhuni ordination. Well done.

The four-fold sangha should be restored immediately. As a housholder, I refuse to give support any monastery that does not support bhikkhuni ordination.

Regarding the following point -

" We are disheartened by and disagree with the recent legislation of 5 points created at Amaravati (UK) and Cittaviveka (UK) by Ven. Ajahn Sumedho and the monks of the Elders’ Council, which imposes on nuns a two-tier discriminatory power structure favouring monks over nuns in these and associated monasteries. "

I do not believe Suhedo would create any system that deliberately " imposes on nuns a two-tier discriminatory power " ……. from what I know of Sumhedo this would have been done as a stepping stone into initiation….after all Siladhara is 10 precept and is a step up from the 8 precet mae chi in thailand…. what was his intention ? Thats the question, and I believe its unskillful and mispresentful to frame this point with the words " impose " with reguards to Ajahn Sumhedo….

I also have the feeling that Ajahn Sumhedo as the eldest brother of the Western Thai Forest Tradition would understand the concerns from Wat Pah Pong about due process being their biggest issue. Justified or not, probably not, I believe he is simply moving things along in a more gradual way out of great respect for his parent branch monestary.

I’m signing the petition, but please think about rewording this point.

I support the Bhikkuni ordination in Theravada tradition.

I would have liked to see on the petition "respectfully disagree".

Thank you for your efforts to emphasize inclusion–of which Buddhism is about.

I have 1 word for the 4 bhikkhunis: mahamudita!

Spiritual intelligence operates through the female mind just as it does through the male. Women are no lesser beings. Religions which treat them as so are practicing hypocricy. All beings are innately entitled to experience enlightehment and compassion. These are the values of Buddhism and to say that females can’t adequately understand or express them is to discount the intelligence of nature, which created two sexes on this planet. Let the voice of nature speak without fetter, therefore, and let the Thai women pursue whatever spiritual path they so choose, with all rights and powers accruing to males of the same faith and trainings accorded to the women. Sexist discrimination is not acceptable in any context.

It makes the tradition look very narrow hearted which I would like to think is not the case!

Can only serve to create distance and disrespect between men & women practitioners

we should thank them because it the future Buddha can not be born until this dispensation has ended, so they are doing a good job in making Buddhism increasing irrelevant and unappealing and helping this dispensation come to its end

Ajahn, please do not settle for a guarantee that Ajahn Brahm would not conduct any further bhikkhuni ordinations. This should go on as long as deserving and practicing nuns are seeking full ordination.

I think it is about time that this issue is being considered now for the real buddhism to progress.

This action is not Buddhist in spirit, it is ignorant. I ask individual members to look within themselves in the decision to back this. What scientific evidence do you have that women are inferior and warrent such an action. What did the buddha mean when he stated that a female child is as worthy as a male? What righ do you have to deminish the human right of another.

The full ordination of women into Buddhism and in fact all religions is what is desperately needed in the world today. We live in a global thought that is hedonisticly patriarchal that has caused machismo to invade all sectors of our lives in an unpleasant way especially for females. The full integration of both sides of humanity (or the balancing of yin and yang) can only lead to health and goodness for all. Ajhan Brahm’s talk last night touched on the subject why we bow to a statue of Buddha and to the monks well, in my view Ajhan Brahm deserves the respect of the bow not only for him being a teacher but also for the decision to fully ordain the nuns.

very best of luck for instigating a long overdue change in the forest tradition..

There’s no longer a place for gender discrimination in today’s society. It’s such a shame that a noble religion can be tainted by this.

I fully support Ajahn Brahm and the full ordination of women in all Buddhist traditions.

I am a theravad buddishm male from Thailand. Although, I am not really support Bhikkhuni ordination in Thailand. I do support it in the western culture. There are many reasons that I don’t think Thailand is ready for this.

I was lay-ordained in the Soto Zen tradition in 1992 along side other men and women of the sangha. In North America — in our culture — equality among men and women is a given. If it were not, we would not be honouring Buddha’s teachings. If it were not, I would not be a practicing Buddhist.

With respect,

Buchi Eihei

It’s time for change!

I value the commitment to maintain the original teachings of the buddha within th FS tradition, from which I have received great benefit. However, I believe that bikkhuni ordination and equality is unquestionably what the Buddha would advocate if he were teaching in this era. Also it seems to me that both change and preservation in the form can come from a place of wise reflection; that to cling to one and reject the other is not in the spirit of the Dhamma.

Lorraine Bell

Please extend compassion and ordain women.

I think everyone, male and female should be welcome into the Sangha should they wish too, Dhamma is for everyone.

If the Buddha were here today, he surely would not countenance a discrimination of this kind. Empowerment of women may be the area where the West has the most to offer.

As a long time Buddhist practioner, including a year at Panditarama in Burma, I am saddened that the community of elders continues to uphold the practice of descrimination preventng full recognition of the equal dignity and evolutionary potential of women. Very sad and disappointing.

In changing times, Buddhism must reach all people. Women are just as committed as men in preserving the precious teachings of the Buddha. They must be given equal opportunity to teach and be models for the Dhamma.

Consider how women have fought for and received equal rights in the West — we deserve to continue to enjoy and expand these rights in the West, and allow women/nuns in other parts of the world/sangha to follow at their own pace. When in Rome…

I support the nuns as the Buddha would have.

It is time for men and women, East and West, to take a shared and full responsibility for realisation of the Four Truths of the Noble Ones. The ordination of the bhikkhunis in Australia on October 22, 2009 are an important contribution in this direction.

With true wisdom from everyone,there will be peaceful ending in this minor shortcoming.

I support Bhikkuni ordination

I support Bhikkuni ordination

I support Bhikkuni ordination

I fully support Bhikkhuni ordination.

I give full support to Ajahn Brahm as he has done the ordination with good intention without breaking the vinaya rules. The tradition imposed by the Thai Sangha is not really important to the practice. However, they should encourage more women to go into the pracitce rather than restricting them with their traditional practice.

This deeply sadens me to hear about inequality within Buddhism. Let us put aside genders and allow for all to practise the best they can.

The Buddha accepted women as well an men, so this is not right. This is not the Dharma. to turn away women from ordination.

Sadhu 3x to Ajahn Brahm.

I think it would be wonderful if nuns were treated equally as monks. From what I understand of the conditions that existed in the Buddha’s time, there were good reasons why the Buddha treated women monastics differently from men. I think those conditions have changed and it not just appropriate but about time that there was full equal status.

Women should be able to be monks. In many countries , the option to be a monk and receive the support of the community would give little girls who now have no other option than sex work the spiritual and economic freedom to live, by the grace of Buddha’s teachings.

The choice of male monastics to limit full ordination to boys and men is the strongest support of the sex trade imaginable. It is also the continued support of tremendous suffering.

Is Bhikkhuni ordination contrary to the teachings of the Lord Buddha? Let not uncritical decision enfeebles the religion, subjugating women to the whims of learned men (in robes, at that), not unlike the other so-call ed world religions which supposedly protect all their adherents rights and aspirations.

Peace. I hope the issue will be resolved amicably and also with wisdom.

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi put it best at the 2007 Hamburg conference when he said: "When we ask what line of action would be appropriate for today, we should not ask what the Buddha did twenty-five centuries ago but what he would want us to do today" (conference proceedings).

Buddha established a fourfold Sangha. Does his inclusive vision of Buddhist community count for less than select vinaya passages? If we put the same energy into searching out vinaya passages that support bhikkhuni ordination as we do into passages that generate obstacles to bhikkhuni ordination, where might we be?

Vinaya reflects diverse views on bhikkhunis. There are positive and negative statements. Why do some monastic authorities give more weight to passages that impede the establishment of a fourfold Sangha than to those that underscore the centrality of bhikkhunis to Buddha’s vision of Buddhist community?

I write this in support of the many monks, nuns, lay men, and lay women working hard to make bhikkhuni ordination possible for all women in all Buddhist traditions. Thank you . . . thank you . . . thank you.

Budu Saranayi

Let the Dharma do its good in the world, unimpeded by harmful ‘traditions’ telling the world that Buddhists don’t even respect the basic value of gender equality.

It’s all One Mind, whether the earthly manifestation is female or male! And the nature of everything is always changing, so… why all the clinging? Could it be fear of something? Don’t worry so much — Lighten up! Enlightened Mind is always Expanding!

there are too many gender inequalities in the Forest Sangha

It is very difficult for me to see how discrimination against half the human race on the basis of their gender can be in accord with Buddhist principles.

I have commented at length on the supportthebikkhunis.org website. Full equality and inclusiveness for both sexes is a basic human right in international law and morality, and Buddhists should be affirming this morality, not frustrating it.

… I believe that a sincere consideration by and response from the Forest Sangha would be considered Right Action.

If wer’re going to have monks and nuns, they should be equal. The social standards of the Buddha’s times are inappropriate for this century.

I’m sure if Buddha were alive today he would support women becoming Bhikkunis. Prohibiting women from becoming fully ordained is not acceptable or warranted in the 21st century, a time that needs more spiritual guidance than ever before. It is also cutting off at least 50 percent of the total population from contributing their skills, compassion and devotion to the dharma to the wider community. Gender bias is discrimination which is the opposite of what I understand the dharma professes to teach.

I feel very strongly that this is a pressing issue that can no longer be ignored, at least in the Western world where women have been To continue to implement policies based on gender inequality is not in keeping with the teachings of the Buddha, as I understand them.

Betsy Faen

I’m at a complete loss as to how a sexist attitude is in any way consistent with the Buddha’s teachings. I urge those who support this decision to reflect honestly on the all-important intention behind it. It is impossible to conceive that it is aiding the genuine practice of the dharma. It points more honestly towards the protection of ego via the upholding of status-bound rules.

Gender (in)equality in a key concern of mine as a practising Buddhist and I would wish to see equality in the treatment of women (both lay and monastics) and in the systems & structures that support monastics and our practice.

If Buddhism cannot find a place for full equality for women in its monastic order then I cant see how it is going to survive in any relevant and meaningful way in the west. Buddhism has transcended sexual politics but fails on gender politics

May this issue be a vehicle for unity and true compassion. May women everywhere feel the support of their brothers in the Sangha.

This is such an important issue. May wisdom prevail

I am stuggling to comprehend how any member of our community can fail to rejoice in the recent actions carried out by Ajahn Brahmavamso. I also fail to understand how any member of our community can continue to support a system of such open discrimination that has no concrete validity in either the heart or the theory of our tradition.

I support ajahn Brahm.

There should be no room for gender inequality in the precious dharma. I believe the Buddha himself would be way out in front on this score, as he was on many other issues of his time!

Ajan Brahm’s work is the future of the type of Buddhist thinking that will lead the way of liberation in the modern world.

Thank you Venerable Ajan Brahm!

As there is valid Bhikkhuni lineage, from the view point of the Vinaya, there appears no legitimate reason not to grant full ornniation to woman. Thank you.

With the greatest of respect, coming from outside your tradition, I submit that in our experience doing what is necessary to fully include women in all aspects of religious life benefits everyone in our tradition.

I feel that contemplative traditions should remove all barriers to direct realisation from all people without discrimination. Please listen with gentleness and respect to what is being requested and then act with boldness and directness.

Humbly,

Tim+ Mansfield

Let’s heal these ignorances of tradition, and allow a right view to flourish.

This is an important issue.

I beg you to practice mindfulness at any cost

My letter on this matter has been published on the Santi website.

practice — practice — practice

I think this is not a good buddhism treatment,

it is more a catholik practice.

I am amazed by lack of wisdom, compassion and love and shaken by the display of authoritarian old fashined conservative and outdated value system which has no place in 21st century world we live in. This action will create a stronger division between east and west Buddhists. What a lack of vision (right view) and wisdom (samadhi)!

It takes courage to see through the tradition and amend the ways which need to be amended to bring gener equality to Buddhism today. The teaching helps to open the heart, to develop heart-mind, wisdom, compassion and courage. It is time that we acted on this teaching.

Discrimination is not what the Buddha tought.

thank you ajahn brahm for your courage !!!

It is such a shame that Ajahn Brahm has been treated so disrespectfully. I fully believe that had Ajahn Chah still been alive this never would have happened. To me, this goes entirly against the teachings of the Buddha.

Here is another good motivation why Ajahn Brahm and the Bodhinyana Sangha should attain Arahantship within this lifetime to demonstrate the wisdom of their effort. Then the opposition will be silent in due course.

I subscribe to the Buddhist Society Channel because of Ajahn Brahm’s Dhamma talks, he is a God send and a life saver. Please do not kick him out. In my humble opinion there should be more of an open mind about intiating Buddhist nuns after seeing the documentry about Robina Courtin Chasing Buddha I believe it would be a very good idea to have more nuns in the sect.

Thank You.

We are living in the 20th century. There should be more understanding and tolerance among all.

I hope that this petition brings healing and a change of heart for the men who are tied to the male hierarchy.

We are all human beings. I believe that women’s position in this world has been a cultural phenomenon and has no place in a truly spiritual path.

May all beings be happy and free.

Equal rights for spiritual worship.

I cannot understand, that bikkhunis are still "a problem" for certain monks/men! Where do they find foundation in the dhamma ???

I am really touched and sorry to hear that this expulsion has happened and from my whole heart ask all sangha members to reinvestigate the question so that nuns and monks can finaly be on equality terms as the Buddha himself would certainly have preferred if the time in India had been ripe. It is ripe now in this world of great strive!

If Buddhism is the practice of humility, acceptance and the understanding that we are all connected, I would urge all who persist in practices of separaitism to revisit the basic tenets of their faith.

This grave, human rights failure to recognize the legitimacy of the Bikkhuni sanga is leading to a new kind of cyber violence. My computer was harmed by a malicious virus simply by visiting a Bhikkunhi web site that had been compromised. We stop the violence and uphold the FOURfold sangha that Buddha established.

May your hearts be open and compassionate, may your minds be clear and open… may we all work toward the eliviation of discord and suffering.

It is not just as a woman but as a human, who has dedicated a life to the Dharma, please stop marginalizing such an important part of our population. Our lineage and for the continuing growth of Buddhism in the west this is an important issue to be reconsidered.

In consideration of the Buddha’s words, you do have the ability to let go of lesser rules. Please let go of fixed views based on gender. We are supposed to be a four corner Sangha. Today we are only three. For the health of fostering all corners, the health of our lineage, I urge you to deeply and thoughtfully reconsider the current stance.

Metta,

Stephanie

Thank you to the organisers of this petition.

Everything else ist stated in this petition.

To deny the existance of half of the whole is to deny your self. To embrace and to love all as it should be is to live with grace , dignity and light.

i support these ordinations and am impressed with ajahn brahm, a true buddhist……….i have been moving away from the patriarchial structure for years now, even as i hold onto my love of the buddha and his teachings…….its has been hard and i am heartened by the openness engendered by this conflict………….

From a Buddhist point of view, men and women are equal… HH 17th Karmapa

Please give women the same rights as men. No exceptions.

Metta to all of us. may this be solved according to the heart of what the Buddha taught.

We will see only what we want to see… When one starts with the attitude that bhikkhuni ordination cannot be done, one will limit one’s view and thus research. Please all the male monks of all Theravadan traditions open your heart and search for ways to give back to women what the Buddha did give them over 2,500 years ago.

Yes I support of Bhikkhuni ordination and gender equality in the Forest Sangha.

If the Forest Sangha does not ordain Nun, why should we be "attached" to them. The Buddha taught about non-self and impermanence.

This too shall pass.

I’m requesting to all Buddhist in this world to considering and understanding to the real teaching of our beloved Buddha and followers for harmony and get unite for the Buddhist world.

God Blessed

Please help to bring about equality and end the ongoing discrimination against women in this tradition. Metta.

It is most important that equality be established in the monastic and nuns orders. What purpose does this inequality serve in terms of protecting and promoting the Dharma? If you want a strong vibrant sangha into the future you must address these issues now.

I hope you will consider this request with open heart.

Sincerely,

Amy

Thank you Ajahn Brahm, Bkikku Sujanto and all Sangha of Bodhinyana Monastery for making it possible for women of today & future, to be given the chance to practise further as a Bhikkhuni. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

There is no separation that can be made, so how can one create one?

Please.

Women have the right just as men do to seek enlightenment and live a monastic life to fulfill that wish. We are all souls, sentinent human beings seeking relief from suffering and in light of the boddhisattva vow everyone (men or women) should be given every opportunity to live the Buddhist way.

Please open this tradition to women.

Mahapajapati Gotami

If impermanence is paramount, then gender is irrelevant. Stop emulating the narrow-minded fundamental Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions in regard to the status of women

Instead of squabbling over this Bhikkhuni ordination, should not more energy be focused on spreading Buddhadharma worldwide and helping followers to address their sufferings.

The most important aspect is intention. If we can have highly motivated Bhikkhunis transmitting the Dharma and helping others, then, we should view it as a skilful means to achieve that purpose.

I think current modern environment really calls for more expediency than sticking to rigid rules and rituals!

May wisdom prevail and metta.

bodhitan

I’m not a Buddhist nor do i know a whole lot about Buddhism but listening to talks gives me an inner peace that lets me pass on to everyone i meet on the this side of the world ; theres a lot of things that I’m ignorant on but i know a good person when I see one

Equality for all.

May we let go of limiting ideas and accept and assist all sincere practitioners. Anjali.

May the Four-Fold Sangha prosper for a long time to come!

GO BHIKKHUNIS! YEAH!

i took bhikkhuni ordination in the vietnamese tradition, together with a ‘forest’ nun from germany and many other western tibetan nuns from all over the world. it was a wonderful experience, never the less, it would have been great if we were all able to take bhikkhuni ordinations in our own traditions,regardless of what tradition we belong to. i congratulate Bhikkhu Ajahn Brahm for his courageous action and wish the new bhikkhunis a life of devotion, discovery and enlightenment.

Buddhism needs to reflect wisdom in it’s selection process so that those chosen are demonstarting spiirtual qualities suited to ordination. These deeper spiritual qualities transcend the surface qualities of gender.

All of us have the potential to realize the cessation of suffering and to work to benefit others, regardless of gender. May the ordained sangha grow to help all of us in the great work.

I have much respect for Buddhism and at the same time I am highly distressed at the roles it keeps women in.

Please take steps to rectify this.

Practicing the Theravadan Forest tradition since 11 years, beeing a woman and and believing, that the buddha never made a difference between man and woman. It would be a successful development and a global contribution in religious equalization between man and woman

Thank you for your efforts to end sexism in all it’s forms.

I wish this Bhikkuni sangha rift to be resolved soon. I fully support the Bhikkuni ordination. After all this is something Lord Buddha established 2500 years ago and therefore how can we go against it.

This initiative is great. Gender inquality in the 21 th century is embarrissing and not to follow. With love all disputes will come to a good end. So there is still a need of practise in this direction. With all my hope and appreciation.

I defer to Chatsumarn Kabilsingh (Dhammananda Bhikkhuni) on this very important matter.

I would like to express my full support for the Bhikkhunis. It’s good to see new Bhikkhunis being ordained, and I wish them the very best.

I will be happy to travel anywhere to be in the ordination of bhikunis or preceptor. Ajahn Jose

Lord Buddha as some people refer to him as ordained his own mother or "wet nurse" after she threw dust over herself in order to confirm her determination to go forth. One would may presumed that the debate over Bikkhuni ordination was well and truly "done and dusted" since that momentous occasion 2500+ years ago. It dissapoints me somewhat to hear that to ordain or not ordain Bikkhunis is still alive in this current era. Ajahn Bramavamso is to be respected and regaled for takking what some might refer to as unilateral action by his recent ordination ceremony at Bodhinyana Monastery. Lets all strive to make gender discrimination history. Thankyou

Frauen sind gegenüber den Männern in allen Bereichen gleichberechtigt zu behandeln.

I totally support the ordination of women within any Buddhist tradition.

As a Buddhist lay person, I respectfully request that the English Sangha and Sangha of WPP explicitly state whether they agree in principle that women should be allowed to gain higher ordination. Everything else is including the legality or otherwise of the bhikkhuni ordinations is irrelevant. Please be honest and I will respect you for your honesty.

I have been a female, lay, practitioner for 40 years. The Dharma does not discriminate or manifest favourtism…nor should the communities of dedicated practitioners.

The followers of the Buddha are building only one fourfold sangha. Especially there is a living tradition of bhikkhunis from China. So please let every man or woman live a life as a bhikkhu or bhikkuni who wants to follow the Buddha in this way. What do you think would the Buddha think, say and do? He did allow the bhikkhuni ordination!

sarvamangalam

Venerable Elders and Bikkus Sangha,

Please get back to the basics.

With metta,

Saliya

On the spiritual path, whatever that may be, there is no place for discrimination on any grounds. And certainly not in Buddhism of all places! Equality for seekers of every background please!

Though there are two kind of sexes

There is only one kind of Buddha Nature.

I would like to request to answer my question: Out of which concern the Venerable Elders have decided, that the ordination of bikkshunis is not to be supported?

we are now no more living in medieval times!

Buddhism can only progress and spread if it keeps up with the times.

I sincerely hope that the Venerables could use compassion, tolerance and understanding as the guiding principles in this saga and not be bogged down by too much rules and traditions. Lord Buddha had taught us not to be engrossed in rites and rituals. Hopefully, wisdom and kindness could prevail. Sadhu!

Any soul which seeks to serve and love is a treasure to be nurtured by the coimmunity to which they are a gift.

I truely pray that the community of those who seek truth by follwing the path of the buddha will come to accept the gift being offered.

I firmly believe that gender should have no barrier on ordination-

Calling for gender equality

Fight the power

fight the powers that be

-public enemy

Great teachings arise from wise and enlightened beings. Gender need not be a barrier.

I strongly support this petition.

I strongly support this petition.

thousands of tashi delek and success to all

of YOU- world -wide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monkhood should not be limited to the male gender.

Even though I’m only starting to learn more on Buddhism in depth just starting from this year, as far as I know, Buddha’s teachings does not convey a tinge of discrimination, be it gender, race, caste etc. Everyone is equal in the eyes of Buddha and hence I believe the equality should prevail in Sangha as well. We are supposed to treat each other with respect, compassion regardless of our differences in any aspect.

With a deep trust in your innate wisdom and compassion I hope from deep of my heart that the equality of nuns and monks will be realised in all the different traditions of Buddhism in order to create a better future for all beings!

Sarva mangalam!

Please consider and honor these requests. I’ve been a student of the Forest monks for years, and I’m utterly baffled by the systemic intransigency on this issue.

It’s time to change!

Deepest respect,

Josh

Heartfelt thanks to a great teacher, Ajahn Brahm.

Thanks for being so compassionate and kind.

The teachings of this lineage has inspired many, and I am very grateful to learn from the many great Ajahns.

I hope that the issues can be resolved peacefully in the spirit of following the Dhamma-Vinaya as guidance.

May all the participating abbots be well and happy, and walk their paths towards Enlightenment.

Apply Wisdom, Peace and Compassion in all things we do.

Reflect with Wisdom, Peace and Compassion in all things we have done.

Be humble. Be at peace.

Purify the Mind and all actions follow.

Disallowing the ordination of women into the Sangha is against the spirit of buddhism. The Buddha himself ordained nuns. I’m totally with Ajahn Brahm and give him my full support. His talks have really enriched my life and got me through some really hard times.

With Metta

Paul

I support Bhikkhuni ordination because of the following reasons,

1. It is a sin to prevent another(male or female) sila from following the noble path, specially someone with an aspiration to join the order to attain nibbana or to practice a higher sila
2. We are following the steps of Lord Buddha. The Blessed One had given the consent after considering Venerable Ananda’s appeal
3. Although we represent different communities like Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan or Australian we are here for a common purpose. We should thank Indians for allowing us to join the Buddhist community without any discrimination. Why can’t we be impartial to the gender problem as well?
4. If a female can be a mother to a male, why can’t she join the order for her liberation just like her son? Why can’t the venerable sons of the Buddha who are opposing this consider these females as mothers and sisters? At least out of gratitude which is the first lesson of Lord Buddha.
5. Other religious groups can highlight these disputes and discrimination to win people.
6. Finally our kamma will follow like a shadow. A male in this birth can be a female in another birth. I read in a Jathaka Story that even Venerable Ananda had to suffer as a female in a previous birth due to a sin

With Metta

let the true dhamma…true nature…true heart shine forth,,,not out of fear..but out of compassion to let all be all they can be…so they can fully let go

In this day & age , I am surprised there is gender inequality.

We all have Buddha nature. We all have the potential for great growth and to spread the dharma, to help countless others. When we are reborn, we may be male, we may be female. There have been great realized masters in a female body. All nuns should have available the option of ordination, not just for them but for the benefit of all beings.

With thanks for creating this petition,

Ruth Richards

Shocked and disappointed at this illogical decision.

Having received temporarily ordination from Ven. Dhammananda in Nakhonpathom, Thailand, april 2009 — I do request you urgently to reconsider bhikkhuni ordination for women as a means to enrich the 4fold sangha.

You are totally missing belief in your own teachings if you avoid inclusiveness due to gender. Please reconsider. Many Blessings

Compassion. Meditate upon it.

The pain that is caused when when people are treated unequally has transgenerational consequences . please ensure a return to the DO NO HARM principles that underlie all spiritual intgrity.

Strange, that the teachings showing all of us to be connected, don’t seem to apply to women. It is disappointing that Buddhist pratcitioners could possibly have such views. It literally weakens my faith in the value of practice.

I’ would also like to add that I don’t feel very good about what I’ve heard about the way Ven. Ajahn Sujato from Santi Forest Monastery was and is treated by WPP and senior members of the western forest sangha, mainly because of his activities surrounding Bhikkhuni ordination. ASFAIK he and Santi Forest Monastery were expelled in a way similar to what happened to Ajahn Brahm and Bodhinyana.