A Robed Revolution: The Contemporary Buddhist Nun's ( Bhikṣuṇ? ) Movement
Abstract
Women's access to full ordination as Buddhist nuns ( bhikṣuṇ? ) is one of the most hotly contested issues in the Buddhist world today. Focusing on Sri Lanka and the Tibetan exile community in India, this article outlines the central issues of the debate, which range from the minutiae of Buddhist monastic regulations to the politics of national and ethnic identity. Topics addressed include Sakyadhita, ordination lineage ( vinaya ), alternative forms of female renunciation (e.g., maechee ), feminism, and tensions between local and international visions of the Buddhist monastic community, which lie at the heart of the current debate.
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The conference assembled representatives from the Dharmaguptaka, Theravāda, and Mūlasarvāstivāda traditions and from many regions.
“The international conference brought together representatives from the Dharmaguptaka, Theravāda and Mūlasarvāstivāda traditions, and from many different regions.”
From Buddhist Nuns: Between Past and Present (2011) · cites this paper as Mrozik 2009:369-372
The conference primarily sought to revive a Mūlasarvāstivāda full ordination for nuns, while also inviting Theravāda representatives.
“The conference mainly aimed at reviving a Mūlasarvāstivāda full ordination for nuns, although representatives of Theravāda orders were equally invited.”
From Buddhist Nuns: Between Past and Present (2011) · cites this paper as Mrozik 2009:369-372
These international attempts were triggered by the creation of Sakyadhita in 1987 in Bodhgaya.
“These were triggered by the creation of an international Buddhist women's association (Sakyadhita) in 1987 in Bodhgaya, in India (for details, see Mrozik, 2009:360-361).”
From Buddhist Nuns: Between Past and Present (2011) · cites this paper as Mrozik, 2009:360-361
The First International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha took place in Hamburg in July 2007, with the Dalai Lama present on its final day.
“In July 2007, on the initiative of Western Buddhist women, a large conference on Buddhist nuns was held, with the Dalai Lama present on its last day.”
From Buddhist Nuns: Between Past and Present (2011) · cites this paper as Mrozik 2009:369-372
Cites
Chinese Nuns and their Ordination in Fifth Century China
Heirman, A. (2001) · Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) · doi:10.2143/jiabs.24.2.3157110 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
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Buddhist Nuns: Between Past and Present
Heirman, A. (2011) · Numen · doi:10.1163/156852711x593278 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
- Authors
- Mrozik, S.
- Affiliations
- Mount Holyoke College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Mrozik, Susanne
- Venue
- Religion Compass
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 360-378
- ISSN
- 1749-8171 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1989846483
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 28.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Religion Compass (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Indian and Buddhist Studies
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Religion, Gender, and Enlightenment
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Study and Philosophy of Religion
- Keywords
- Buddhist nuns, women in Buddhism, Buddhist monastic discipline, feminism, monastic rule, national identity, ethnic identity, Tibetan diaspora, Sri Lankan Buddhism, Buddhist monasticism
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