Bhikkhuni Ordination Fallout

Dennis Sheppard, President of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia responds to intimidation and deplorable behaviour by monks in the Wat Pah Pong associated group of monasteries over the past year. In the wake of the Bhikkhuni (Buddhist nun) ordinations and the subsequent 'excommunication' of Ajahn Brahm there have been many acts of unkindness, divisiveness designed to punish and isolate us. These behaviours and attitudes (especially the misogynist underpinnings) are completely unacceptable from a Buddhist and social perspective. They are leading the way to a decline of Buddhism in the West and should therefore cease immediately.

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[thirakut]

Obviously angry monks are not enlighten. Anger comes within and as monks, they should investigate that. The Buddha gave the tool (meditation) so use it. Feel hurt? Will, that's your hurt. Investigate that as well. Why do the monks want gratitude? Is it an ego building exercise? Don't chant the path. Walk it.

[ehipassiko]

@BarbarraBay What reason can you give me that would make me conclude that you know more about Thai women than the Thai women I know? What reason can you give me that would make me conclude that you know more about Theravada Bhikkhuni than the Theravada Bhikkhuni I know? Having an opinion is one thing, thinking that your opinion can't be any less than the best is what is known as hubris. Also, IMHO playing the "Western imperialism" card is lame.

[PeaceWithTheseEyes]

Green Energy for World Peace, is the theme for the novel, "With These Eyes", written by Horst Steiner.

[cittamagga]

Thai buddhism is declining cos monk's role can't improve morality in Thai. Why? simply cos in Thai, there's lack of bhikkhunisangha. 2004 Thai govn't set up 'Center for the Promotion of National Strength on Moral Ethics and Values' assist to promote morality. 2005 and after several years, they went to Taiwan Tzu Chi for studying. The foundation of Tzu Chi is a bhikkhuni, Master Cheng Yen and bhikkhunisanghan. Once there is great Thai bhikkhuni, that bhikkhuni can drive many people to do good.

[orbstats]

Buddhist are humans. Can they get sick, disease, alzheimers, or dementia? Than they have limitations. Don't put them on such a high god-like plateau. Many monks are striving to be the best they can be, and pass this positive life on to you. Others may be rogue, and their interest for their own personal goals. But stay positive. Also, a President of a Buddhist society of monks is like putting an Orangutan in charge of Humans. Whose welfare does he serve?

[ThePeteBkk]

Bhikkuni has its origin way back to the the time of the Buddha, and any attempt to restrict or impede their ordinations today, I believe, is contrary and inconsistent with his general teachings. I use the word general because a great deal of it was written down long after his death. Misogynistic behaviors is so un-enlightened and reflect the cultural barnacles that we have to put up with. BTW, bickering among the monks is nothing new. During the time of the Buddha, this also has been recorded.

[oliveranthonyrowland]

@BarbarraBay

If you have no problem with women ordaining in the west what's your problem with the BSWA? All they want is the right to do things their way, according to their conscience and their interpretation of the vinaya; and to be able to retain friendly links with people who have been their friends in the past. Instead the Wat Pah Pong people seem to be demanding that all the monks associated with them refuse to visit or talk to the BSWA people, which seems petty and hateful.

[orlando098]

@BarbarraBay

If the Thai monastic system is not designed for women then why should it not change? Women are half of the human population after all. If monasticism has something very valuable to offer, then why should it not be open to all humans??

[Averyunknownpoet]

it seems the European tradition of Enlightenment makes good European Buddhist martyrs... :) - like veracious monks, emancipated nuns, unfound tulkus...

[allchangesintime]

If women can't ordain, then why should men be allowed to? Especially if you take emptiness into consideration, why does it matter if a woman ordains?

[allchangesintime]

I'm still confused. Why are women not allowed to ordain in Australia? Maybe in Thailand it's not practical for some reason but in Aus there is a big thing about gender equality. Why would ajahn chah objec to this happening in a county like Australia?