On The Bhikkhuni Question

[camerata]

This is the full transcript of the condensed interview with Ajahn Brahm in today's Bangkok Post.

On the Bhikkhuni Question

It is widely believed that in the Theravada tradition, there is no longer any way to perform valid bhikkhuni ordinations according to the Vinaya. It is said that ordinations need to be performed by a “dual-sangha” of both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, and as the Theravada bhikkhuni sangha had “died out” in Sri Lanka many centuries ago, this is no longer possible. Hundreds of bhikkhunis, including many Thais, have been ordained since the Theravada bhikkhuni order was restored [in Sri Lanka in the late 1990’s using Mahayana bhikkhunis], but they are mostly seen in Thailand as not being legitimate Theravada bhikkhunis. What do you think of this view?

That is a myth. In Thailand , we spend too much of our time believing in our teachers, believing in accepted wisdom rather than investigating and challenging. So sometimes it takes Western monks outside of Asia to question and investigate. Even with wisdom that has been accepted for years, to challenge it if there is reason to do so.

I thought too when I was a young monk in Thailand that the problem was a legal problem, that the bhikkhuni order couldn’t be revived. But having investigated and studied, I’ve found out that many of the obstacles we thought were there aren’t there at all. Someone like Bhikkhu Bodhi [a respected Theravada scholar-monk] has researched the Pali Vinaya and his paper is one of the most eloquent I’ve seen – fair, balanced, comes out on the side of “It’s possible, why don’t we do this?”

Continued at bhikkhuni.net.

[orchis]

Intersting. i totally agree with his opinion. Let there be ordaining for women.

[phetaroi]

Intersting. i totally agree with his opinion. Let there be ordaining for women.

I tend to agree, providing there is separation in the living situation.

One of the most lovely and enlightening conversations I have ever had was with a Buddhist "nun" at a temple down in Phetburi. She talked with us for quite a while about Buddhism and the life she was living. Quite inspiring really.

[Xangsamhua]

There are Theravada Bhikkhunis at Nakhorn Pathom (Songdhammakalyani Monastery). See http://www.thaibhikkhunis.org/eng/index.ph...=1&Itemid=3

I have heard there are about 35 bhikkhunis there.

[jts-khorat]

Given this possibility to ordain ordain according to the Vinaya, we can argue that point as scholars, but also out of compassion, to say that if there is some leeway in the interpretatation, then let’s have the most compassionate interpretation. Because that’s such an important part of Buddhist teachings. You have to follow the rules, but if there is an interpretation that is possible which is the kind one, that’s the one we should follow because that’s the one the Buddha would have encouraged us to do.

Ajahn Brahm really has thrown the fox between the (Thai) hens here, not only giving good arguments why there should be Bikkhunis for historical reasons.

His much stronger argument comes much to short but will create a lot more difficulty to explain it away: it is the more compassionate way to ordain them if even remotely possible within the teachings of the Buddha. And is 'compassion' not one of the main cornerstones of Buddhism, including the Theravadan as practiced here in Thailand?