Everywoman - Buddhist Nun and Hijab Fashion

[Tauron68]

Females are Bhikkhunis (Nun's) not monks (Bhikkhus). More patriarchy?

[sujatabhikkhuni]

The old passes away and just as the color of the robes indicate the rising and the setting of the sun, (new replacing old, and impermanence among other things), there is a place for reverence for old ways but also acceptance and implementation of new ways..

[sujatabhikkhuni]

If men where restricted, then maybe they would, only then, understand how women feel, and that is not to say that men should not be ordained, but rather by they're own standard of compassion and empathy, they should not restrict women anymore....I say anymore....because now humanity has wisdom, and by wisdom all the ignorance should be overcome, and by ignorance I mean this unrealistic segregation.

[buknoiba123]

I love thailand . The land of freedom.

[vvk9999]

Theravada Buddhist should have bikkhuni like Mahayana Buddhimst, we all Buddhist.

[ZaOscelot]

I just want to run up and give Bikkhuni Dhammananda such a huge hug <3

[funkeemon]

In other countries(like China, Vietnam and Japan and Tibet) have no problem with the nuns in buddhism for thousand years , that is very funny that in Thailand have thing like this video. That's ignorant.

[tripur7]

if the monks in thailand are saying that they cannot accept women nuns then they are so wrong and they are not following the buddhism in the right way like the buddha taught. that is a sad thing.

[tripur7]

if the monks in thailand are saying that they cannot accept women nuns then they are so wrong and they are not following the buddhism in the right way like the buddha taught. that is a sad thing.

[Opetlao]

I don't see anything wrong for a women to be a buddhist monk.

[coyote2625]

Firstly a monk is male females are called nuns NOT monks. Secondly, the report is very biased, monks have nothing against nuns, as the Buddha ordained them. The problem is nuns must be ordained by other nuns and Theravada nuns went extinct hundreds of years ago. Since the line was cut it would have to be resurrected in a new tradition not in agreement with the vinaya laid down.

[orixaguy]

@coyote2625

THANK YOU SO MUCH for addressing this issue!!! It is NOT the sexist issue it's made out to be. The Buddha himself predicted the extinction of the lineage. Furthermore, anyone who has studied the doctrine should know that this phenomena has LITTLE to NOTHING to do with a woman's ability to attain enlightenment. Ordination does not automatically enter one into the stream. As a former Bhikkhu, I am grateful to Siladara Jandasiri in England for being an inspiration by her example!

[kusalaviro]

Very strange that Thailand doesn't accept female monks...

[willwong1234]

Am I missing something here? I didn't hear any argument from the male monks about why they oppose women to be ordained, other than on the grounds of some stupid "tradition"!

[Tosa475]

All these women wearing hijab are Muslim or Buddhist.

[jangguemfan]

I hate the teo women who said only man can be monks.

[anlashok42]

Bhante Dhammananda will have a beautiful rebirth. Such strength for women around the world. Much needed. She's a hero and model for the aspirant HUMAN BEING.

[supawanich00]

The Buddha ordained Bhikkuni with much resistance by the ignorant then.The same thing happen,she is facing the resistance from the ignorant now.The Buddha taught us to change tradition if it is wrong,he ordained an untouchable !

Please let go of your ego,greed and delusion.

Any gender can reach the Dharma and enlightenment.

Power to you,Bhikkhuni Laung Mae Dhamananda,and I am a male Buddhist.

With much respect and Metta.

[myhoangsa]

thailand has hundred thousand Buddihist monks. the theory is good. However, Bangkok has thousands sex centers service visitors good too. also, thailand fisher men are pirates who raped hundred thousands women and teens. God does not like thailand. Buddha does not like thailand any more.

[thomasbachelor]

The Buddha ordained thousands of women as nuns, because the Buddha saw no difference in the spiritual or intellectual powers and potentials of men and women. I'm amazed that there are societies that call themselves Buddhist but that seem not to know the history of their own religion. The Buddha even ordained female members of his family. Some of these Thai monks need to hit the books and re-read the life of the Buddha.

[socraties1]

hahhahaah hejab an fashion ...buddhism and tradition ..hahahhahaha ..humanity is so funny...am realy laughing from heart.

[buutich]

Kalama Sutra

... Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is

written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and

elders. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is

conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."

- the Buddha

[theravster09]

Hello Buutich!

Nice quote from the Kalama Sutra. I had just copied this onto word document, enlarged this to font size 28 and have printed it out, which I have placed on the wall (where the pc is). An excellent reminder by the Buddha which is very appropriate in today's age. Do you have more of such quotes? Thanks again.

[buutich]

Where do I start? I found this one for you.

Make an island of yourself,

make yourself your refuge;

there is no other refuge.

Make Dhamma your island,

make Dhamma your refuge;

there is no other refuge.

[khangsar88]

yea you are right budhist nun is also a budhist  you are doing good deeds

[diddlybop]

sympathy and understanding...

where is it? people tend to lose their initial goals, and bend things to fit their prejudices :( the part where women say that they are lower than men and they must accept that makes me sad.

[Dinuka81]

al jazeera , please stay away from Buddhism. We dont have any problem about nuns or monks. So please let live us in peace and do your own fight in your country and mind your country problems. We Buddhists have never fought for religion and we always love peace and harmony. So please let us live in peace and dont make such stupid issues with Buddhism.

[BarbarraBay]

Dinuka. Dinuka. We are living in peace but your mind appears to be disturbed. If this Al Jazeera video does not allow you to live in peace, please do not call yourself a Buddhist and bring embarrassment upon Buddhism. A Buddhist can live in peace under all conditions. Please do not pray to Al Jazeera. This is not Buddhist practise. I suggest you fight your own problems. The Al Jazeera video has performed a beneficial service and deserves praise & gratitude rather than selfish condemnation.

[Dinuka81]

Barb, I do live in peace. But im not enlightened one. I feel sorry about these people who try to find issues like this and make stories over that. Buddha said, changing the Dharma to Bad and Include bad things to Dharma will take you straight to hell. So I feel sorry about Al Jazeera. Because they are trying to arouse issues which there was not at all a problem. If you doubt contact Ajahn Brahm in Perth or Ajahm Kalyano in Melbourne. Im not at angry with Al Jazeera, but sorry about them.

[BarbarraBay]

Ajahn Vayama is a 10 precept nun. However, she is starting to offer full bhikkhuni ordaination in Australia. I recommend you read the Bodhiyana website to confirm this. This is possible because the ordaination will be in Australia. But it is not possible in Thailand.

[Dinuka81]

Probably you are right, I ve never been to Thailand. But here in Australia, im sure they can. And also the Meditation Center in WV, USA also have so many nuns, you can check that with Bhante Rahula if you wish.Anyway, the bottom line is there are no restrictions at all for a women to become a nun and Its THERE IS THERAVADA BUDDHISM. Dalai lama has mislead so many people by telling homosexuals cannot become monks which is absolutely wrong.I feel sorry for him as well

[BarbarraBay]

Apart from that, your Dhamma understanding is superstitious. You should not threaten those of other religions to hell. I have no doubts about Ajahn Brahm. He teaches alot of superstition. You do not have to tell me you are not an enlightened one. That is evident.

[Dinuka81]

Im sorry Barb, i didnt threat at all. I said what Buddha has said. I dont even know you are a Buddhist or not. And Ajahm brahm never says any superstitious things. About sex what I said, whoever had a gay or lesbian lifestyle, even they can become a nun or monk, but there should not be sexual activity as a nun or monk. I think if you are not a Buddhist I cannot discuss about Buddhism with you. I said what Buddha said, he saw all these things happening.

[buutich]

Buddhism teaches us not to judge ... the Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences. Ven. Dhammananda is an advocate for women to make their own choices, and sees the men, including the monks, of Thailand as being victims of cultural conditioning, keeping them away from the Buddha's acceptance of women as Bikkhunis.

[Sunikkke]

How beutiful!How serene. I hope and pray that some time in my life I will be able to speak so softly yet deeply, learn to love without condition and live with a smile on my face just as she or His Hollyness the Dalai Lama does. Because they are heroes of our time.

[BarbarraBay]

Traditionally, woman cannot be ordained in Thailand because at a point in history, the lineage of Theravada nuns was broken. However, the lineage remained in Mahayana and so all of the female monks today have been ordained through the Mahayana tradition (even though they were Theravada robes).

That said, the current rules in my opinion are mere tradition. The Buddha allowed women to ordain with many rules so this should be allowed today.

[Dinuka81]

well you are wrong, there are so many Theravada nuns and they are still ordained in Sri Lanka and thailand. It happens even in USA WV temple. There are no such things like women in Theravada cannot be monks. And In Buddhism there is no leader. The Buddhas teachings itself is the leader, which is Dhamma. Even Dalai Lama is not the Buddhist leader. Thats wot Buddha said. after he passed away he said to others let Dhamma be your leader.

[BarbarraBay]

Dinuka. Dinuka. I am not wrong. In Thailand, the women dressed in white are not fully ordained nuns. They are 10 precept laywomen dressed in white called 'maechees'. Again, in Theravada, a woman cannot be ordained. The recent female ordainations have occured in Taiwan & Hong Kong and now in Sri Lanka due to that Mahayana lineage. Before Buddha passed away he said: "The Dhamma & Vinaya I have taught will be your teacher". Regarding leaders, to get ordained, there must be a preceptor (or leader).

[Dinuka81]

Barb, Its totally wrong in Theravada a women cannot be ordained. If you come to Perth you can see how many nuns are in Temple where Ajahm Brahm lives. There were so many arahat Bhikkunis in Buddha Shasana including Buddhas stepmother and soo many. Buddha real buddhism was Theravada and Mahayana came with Devadaththa. There are no restrictions for women to become nuns in Theravada. There is NO PROBLEM ABOUT SEX to become a Monk or Nun. No problem even you are Gay or Lesbian or transgender.

[BarbarraBay]

Why are you concerned with sex. A monk or nun cannot engage in any kind of sexual activity. A monk or nun is neither heterosexual, homosexual or transsexual. A monk or nun is void of sexuality or sunnata.

[buutich]

Ajahn Brahm has just been excommunicated by the Forest Tradition to which he belongs, for ordaining Bikkhunis.

[Undech01]

"Maechees" are an invention of Thai Buddhism NOT Theravada. No where in the Vinaya does that term exist. And the nuns in Taiwan were ordained from Theravada nuns from Sri Lanka hundreds of years ago. even if they were not it doesn't matter because every school of Buddhism descends from the Buddha.

[BarbarraBay]

The Budddha originally was reluctant to allow women to become monks but then he relented. If we Google search 'Therigatha', we can read the verses from the Buddha's enlightened female disciples.

[inkuban]

Do not wear a Hijab, if you wanna be fashionable. Hijab is recommended not enforced. If you are wearing a hijab keep it simple. But again society do not function as easy as I am sayin it. You do Hijab for God not for men. Hijab starts from the mind, jazz'in it up would defeat its very purpose. If anyone thinks I am wrong correct me. However, do make a coherent argument.

[lumbanraja2]

the buddha never said a woman cannot be a monk and i am a theravada buddhist from indonesia we also have some woman who are monks,i have been a monk myself since i was 4 till the age of 12 and i am a guy but i do believe woman have the right to become a bhikkhu

[readbooksnow]

The Buddha allowed women to become monks. Read Vinaya Pitaka to learn this well. Some male monks are today trying to stop woman become monks. Those male monks are totally wrong and developing ignorance and collecting sin.

[Undech01]

Well, I think the Buddhas 3 refusals was only directed at his step mother and NOT all women. With the Sangha the Buddha set up a democratic organization, democracies have no room for queens. Dont forget that the Sakyan clan was very arrogant too, which is why their neighbors destroyed them even though the Buddha intervened 3 times. In making his step mother bow to even junior monks and nuns he taught her humility saving her from the fate of the other Sakyans.

[centrino987]

can some one tell me why women can't be monks? women monks have been allowed in theravada buddhism since buddha's time. and theravada buddhism was sent to Thailand frm Sri Lanka, where women monks have been there since the beggining.

[Undech01]

Then Visakha the lay follower bowed down to her went to the Blessed One. As he was sitting there he told the Blessed One the full extent of the conversation he had had with Dhammadinna the nun. When this was said, the Blessed One said to him, "Dhammadinna the nun is wise, Visakha, a woman of great discernment. If you had asked me those things, I would have answered you in the same way she did. That is the meaning of those things. That is how you should remember it." -MN-44

[narutosangelz]

strange..Nepal has thousands of buddhist nuns..we pay equal respect to both monks and nuns

[dharmabird67]

They are almost all in the Tibetan/Vajrayana tradition though, not Theravada. In my travels in Tibet and Nepal and in talking with Buddhist nuns it does not seem that equal respect is given to monks and nuns. If you go to Kopan monastery in Boudha which is big and has lots of precious statues, etc. then go to the Ani Gompa further down the hill which is much smaller... I have been told that traditionally people believe you receive more merit for giving dana to monks rather than nuns (cont.)

[narutosangelz]

i grew up in Kopan area and i have never heard about it ;]

[melisaii]

BUDDHA ordained his own step-mother. If you think of male verses female, you are self-grasping. 4 NOBLE TRUTH: Cause to suffering is attachment.

[msbell1969]

Resect for the strong female spirt. That is that is the foundation of everything.

[apriltime2008]

Rejoice this great buddhist nun. Buddha see no differences in female or male, only human do....

[fordude60]

There is definitely one thing about Buddhism that is not sexist: the women are shaved just like the men.

[Laowest]

I don't believe Bikkhuni Dhammananda is or deserves real Bikkhhuni status. A Bikkhuni must be ordained by Bikkhuni community only, not from Bikkhu community. The Bikkhuni Patimokha or code of conduct is different from one of the Bikkhu. When she is going on alms round, she put on shoes. That's no no for a Bikkhu to do. A Bikkhu doesn't have shoes on when he goes alms round. At Buddha's time, if a woman wanted to be Bikkhuni, He sent her to Bikkhuni community to ordain her.

[kemarakjun]

Obviously you did not understand the video, or buddhist canon enough to make such bias and discriminatory common against Bikkuni Dhammananda. There is no where in buddhist teaching the forbid women monk, niether does it say anything about shoes and such trivial nuences. These are all culturally based practices that does not necessarily pertain to being a buddhist monk, if your where in a cold climate, or hot desert, surely it is practical and advisable to put on shoes. It's just reality.

[impermanentoo]

Loawest Bikkhuni has to be ordained by 10 bikkhu and 10 bikkhuni. All vinaya rules that bikkhu and bikkhuni observe are the same. Except that the bikkhuni observe more rules. The bikkhu observe 227 vinaya rules. The bikkhuni observe 311 rules.

Woman who strive hard can attain enlightenment as well. They can become arahat but not Buddha.

The purpose of becoming a nun is to serve others at the same time carrying out their religious obligations.

Lay women can enlighten as well.

[buutich]

There are three pratimoksha sets of rules for monks and nuns. Not all of them contain the 227 and 311 rules.

[buutich]

Bikkhuni Dhammananda was ordained by 10 monks and 10 nuns, so she is full Bikkhuni. As for wearing shoes, that is not done by most Bikkhu and Bikkhuni, but is done in some Theravadan traditions. The Buddha taught not to believe or be attached to traditions, beliefs, or that which has been passed down from generation to generation. Otherwise, it becomes dogma, which the Buddha warned was dangerous and delusional thinking.

[shirasophie]

If you will be prepare to become a buddhist nun, here is one word: 'Thosamling'. Look it up on Google

[HalfLuck4]

Well in my language, HoSiang one title for Male/female meaning monk.

BUDDHA can be a male or a Female. Same as say the word ANGEL. Doesn't Angel fit more of a female better?

[impermanentoo]

A Buddha's last life can only be a man. Buddha treat the woman fairly as he said that woman can gain full enlightenment as men do> They can become an arahat but not Buddha

[buutich]

This is only taught in countries where women are treated as less than men.

[Me6is]

Does anyone know the address or name of the place where she is accepting any woman who wants to come to stay?

[cosnowmomma]

She is amazing, I wish I could learn from her.

[cheykrub]

More power to her and all women

[adehmark]

SADHU,SADHU,SADHU AYYA.

[Dreadhead309]

I want to go there so bad and meet her!

[dabeisyin]

she is beautiful

[indigoblue66]

Bikkhuni Dhammananda is a source of inspiration to all - male or female :)

[SuChuThichDongHoa]

she is a great nun. why shouldnt women be allowed to bekome bikkhuni? buddha allowed it and there were many nuns in india and other countries before. only in thailand have never been bikhunis before, thats how some thai monks argue.

when i (now novice monk) am bikkhu i ll allow all good women to become bikkhuni. there is no reason why they shouldnt...

[goodmangillmanpharma]

@SuChuThichDongHoa there is nothing like good women or bad women according to buddhism .all lives are respectful in buddhism --so try to respect every human and every women---do not distinguish humans ---u should learn buddhism well

[sirdudeus]

There is no connection between buddhist nun's wardrobe and a hijab of a muslim woman !!! u need to first understand that !!!!

[Ravloma]

The word "monk" is a masculine term, just like the word "boy." The word "nun" is a feminine term, just like the word "girl."

I have no problem with anyone of any gender getting serious about religion and making appropriate advancement, but to call any female a "monk" is grammatically incorrect. If she is female, then she cannot become a monk any more than she can become a boy.

[naruto10119]

in buddhsim, "monks" and "nuns" are confusing terms. i believe using the term monk would be fine for bikkhunis but "nun" improper for bikkhus. its just my opinion though.

[Ravloma]

The terms are not confusing to those who understand their definitions; some words are gender-specific. It is grammatically incorrect to refer to any male person as a "nun," as a "girl," as a "waitress," or as a "bikkhuni." It is also grammatically incorrect to refer to any female person as a "boy," as a "waiter," as a "bikkhu,"or as a "monk." Women can be nuns, but they CANNOT be monks.

[buutich]

The words monk and nun are used only in the West. Monk is used interchangeably between men and women in Asian countries.

[Purushadasa]

Sorry, but that is untrue -- you made it up.

[jo2lianhua]

u have made a mistak u are mising a h in Bhikkuni Dhammananda?

[jo2lianhua]

i would like see more on Bikkuni Dhammananda?

thank an u?

[wsimila]

Buddhas stepmother was the first nun.. What is the problem in Thailand?

[Luvice4ever]

the problem is she is not a nun she wanted to be a monk that what the problem is buddha let women become nuns not monks

[buutich]

Please study this more; your facts are wrong.

[Luvice4ever]

@buutich well its okay to me i dont have anything against her i respect her in what she is doing and i respect her as a monk as the rest of the monks

[boredcloud]

The attitudes of the Thai people are wrong, Buddha did not encourage sexism or try to exlude women from becoming nuns, I think this nun is an inspiration

[Luvice4ever]

no thai people are not wrong that the truth women are not aload as buddhist monks but are aload to be a nun not monk so pay more attention to the video then u will kno

[boredcloud]

two points:

1 - if you'd pay more attention to what I'd said, you'd see I wrote "nuns" not "monks"

2 - Since writing that comment I have ceased to be a Buddhist. Whether Buddha was sexist or not for discriminating between women and men is a question that always puzzled me, but now I no longer care.

Cheerio

[Luvice4ever]

sorrie i replayie to the wrong person so sorrie and i am iam very sorrie for wat i said !!!!!

[boredcloud]

haha that was 6 months ago! its ok like I said I'm not buddhist anymore.

[boredcloud]

why? because shes bald? thats part of her religion