I'm in the Bangkok airport and want to share with you pictures
from my stay with Ven Dhammananda in Bangkok and a couple of pictures
I took in Cambodia.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28862175@N06/
I imagine that my time in Indonesia is going to be VERY busy. But
I am hopedful that I can post at least a couple of entries.
My time in both Bangkok and Phnom Penh has been extraordinary. And I
looking forward to the same feeling from my time in Indonesia.
Love to all
Victoria
July 20 & 21, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Meetings with The Alliance for Conflict Transformation (ACTS) and with Peace Bridges who provide mediation services to churches, development agencies,
families and community groups. In speaking with both of these organizations, it became clear that they are interested in using theatre as a tool for conflict transformation. I hope to return in the near future to present theatre workshops which can offer these tools from an embodied perspective.
families and community groups. In speaking with both of these organizations, it became clear that they are interested in using theatre as a tool for conflict transformation. I hope to return in the near future to present theatre workshops which can offer these tools from an embodied perspective.
July 19 Two interviews with Ven. Dhammananda
Hello All,
I am actually writing this from Cambodia, but wanted to write a brief summary of the interviews that I had with Dhammananda on 7/18 & 19 at Wat Songdhammakalyani.
We spoke together of the parallels between Roman Catholic Womenpriests and the movement she is part of in Theravada Buddhism for women's ordination as monks (bhikkunis).
Parallels (which I will elaborate on later):
1. The Thai Sangha does not accept her ordination done in Sri Lanka by male and female monks. The Vatican does not accept RCWP ordinations.
2. There is a clear history of women ordained by the Buddha. There is a clear history of women ordained in the early church.
3.According to the Thai Sangha (like the Vatican) the ordination of women monks died out in the 1100's and can't be returned. There were women priests, deacons and bishops in the early church historically, but the Vatican denies this and when pushed to it suggests that these women were married to male deacons,priests, bishops and that's perhaps why they had the same titles.
4.There is clear need for women monks in Thailand. There were 330,000 male monks and now there are 180,000--young men are not joining. The number of male priests globally are declining in the church.
5. There have been abusive behaviors of male priests and male monks.
6. Both women monks and women priests are working to balance keeping the tradition and adding something new (inclusive language, equalizing participation of all, re-imagining rituals.
These are just a few of the parallels---but you can begin to see why I want to write an article from this interview!
I left the Wat on the afternoon of 7/19 with a big hug from Dhammananda who said "you are one of our own."
Much love to all,
Victoria
July 18, Woman's Ordination Ritual at Songdhammakalyani
Hello Friends,
It's now Friday but I will try to describe a bit of what happened yesterday on July 17. I have been at the monastery of the first woman monk/bikkhuni of Thailand since Tuesday evening. But yesterday was quite amazing. At 5:30am I went with Ven. Dhammananda and her "novice" (like a deacon) and 7 or 8 volunteers making begging rounds in the nearby town. The devotion of all those who gave these women was palpable. I took video and pictures and will try to get them up on this blog soon.
Flowers and food were offered. Begging rounds are done on Thursday and Sunday. From this food, all the guests were fed who arrived for the ordination that same day. At 8am the young woman who was to be ordained had her shoulder length thick black hair cut off. I participated in this with 20 other women. She held a lotus leaf that caught the hair as it was clipped off. All the while she chanted: hair, nails, skin, flesh---to remind her of the impermanence of our bodies.
At 9am the ordination ceremony began.
A day earlier I had given Ven. Dhammananda a gift of a clear glass chalice with the words "Women's Ordination Conference" carved into the glass. WOC, as most of you know, has been organizing for women's ordination in the Catholic Church for 30 years.
And I have been a board member for the past 3 years. So it was with much gratitude that I saw Dhammananda place the chalice on a table to be used in the ceremony.
The main liturgical space is actually a beautiful large house with 3 floors. This ceremony was held on the 3rd floor. Some 40 people were in attendance. The young woman, only the second to be ordained as a "samenaris" (deacon) at this Wat, and one of the very few in Thailand, made promises (not unlike those that I made as a deacon in 2004). She was given her new robes the color of rusty orange and the color that all monks wear in Thailand and went to a back room to change. When she emerged, radiant, she then took the WOC chalice filled with water, and offered blessings to all those gathered. Afterward, each person there offered her gifts, either of money, or food. But of course these gifts were not for her--but for the monastery.
Once again the devotion of all those attending was so clear.
This particular day was also auspicious because it was a full moon and the celebration of the completion of the 3 integral parts of Buddhism: the life of the Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings), and the Sangha (his disciples). So this day celebrated the Sangha. In the evening we all walked around the grounds of the monastery (it covers 9 acres)carrying incense, a lotus blossom and a candle celebrating discipleship. We ended up at the Medicine Buddha, a separate large temple in the back of the monastery with a blue Buddha. We sat outside on the steps under the full moon chanting (they chanted I meditated!). Afterward, Ven. Dhammananda had us all sit in a circle and share our feelings from the day. Many of the women and men who were there are volunteers at the temple and come often to help out and practice. Once again I was filled with gratitude to hear the beauty of what each person offered (translated by Dhammananda for me)--most of which was great gratitude for a new samenaris and gratitude for their growing sangha/community.
JUST A QUICK WORD ABOUT TODAY, FRIDAY.
In a few moments I will be interviewing Dhammananda, which is the real reason I am here. To look for parallels between her women's ordination movement and my own.
And tomorrow, Saturday, I will leave here headed for Cambodia, Phnom Penh.
Blessings to All,
Victoria
July 15, Bangkok Thailand
After 17 hours of flying I've achieved 8 hours of sleep staying overnight at the Bangkok Christian Guesthouse. In an hour the Ven. Dhammananda will be coming by to pick me up. I will be staying with her at her temple for 4 days, Songdhammaklinat, which is outside Bangkok.
I truly look forward to spending time meditating there as well as having many conversations with her about the parallels between the movement for Roman Catholic women priests and her own movement for women's ordination in Theravada Buddhism.She has also said that I would go begging with her and the other members of the temple each morning. I have brought a gift for her--a glass chalice that has engraved on it "Women's Ordination Conference." A gift from WOC to me as I finished my term on their board--and one that I hope Dhammananda will like. I am also bringing her a jar of homemade plum jam from the Sophia Catholic Community (made by our own dear Mary Ann Kono). ---Blessings to all!
I truly look forward to spending time meditating there as well as having many conversations with her about the parallels between the movement for Roman Catholic women priests and her own movement for women's ordination in Theravada Buddhism.She has also said that I would go begging with her and the other members of the temple each morning. I have brought a gift for her--a glass chalice that has engraved on it "Women's Ordination Conference." A gift from WOC to me as I finished my term on their board--and one that I hope Dhammananda will like. I am also bringing her a jar of homemade plum jam from the Sophia Catholic Community (made by our own dear Mary Ann Kono). ---Blessings to all!
Funding for My Journey
This trip has been made possible by a grant from the Sister Fund in NYC as well
as grants from San Jose State University: Women's Studies and Comparative Religious Studies. Thank you to my funders!
as grants from San Jose State University: Women's Studies and Comparative Religious Studies. Thank you to my funders!
PREPARATION & ANTICIPATION
July 10: Dual Realities
I am aware that this time in Asia, July 13--30, will hold two realities for me. One will be the outward journey as I describe its purposes below. The other will be simultaneously holding the very deep spiritual experience of Meme's (my mother's) passing over on June 14. Perhaps it will feel like being in two realities at the same time. Perhaps that will be wrenching. Perhaps it will be insightful. I don't know.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSES OF THE JULY 13--30, 2008 JOURNEY TO ASIA
As a professor of Women’s Studies and Comparative Religious Studies, I am concerned that the movement for women's ordination in the Roman Catholic Church develop more inter-faith conversations about women’s leadership, particularly with Muslim and Buddhist women. I am interested in writing a scholarly article on a series of visits and interviews I have been invited to have in Southeast Asia this summer.
I have been in contact with women and men in Southeast Asia who want to know more about the women priest movement in the Roman Catholic Church. I have invitations to the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia, but am coordinating an itinerary to the latter three countries this July.
Thailand: (outside of Bangkok) Songdhammakalyani Temple: July 15--19
Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni is the first female monk of Thailand in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. In 2001 Dhammananda received ordination in Sri Lanka. She is now abbot of Songdhammakalyani Monastery, the only monastery for bhikkhunis in Thailand. As editior ofYasodhara: Newsletter on International Buddhist Women's Activities, she solicited an article from me about the history of Roman Catholic Womenpriests that will appear in their next issue. She has invited me to visit with her monks and engage in conversations across our religious traditions. We have many interesting parallels in our movements that we want to discuss further.
Cambodia: Phnom Penh : July 19--22
I am meeting with members of Peace Bridges to consult and plan for theatre workshops with their members. There will be two other meetings in Phnom Penh with Buddhist women who are working with the Cambodia Aids Project. I will be collecting more information on Buddhist women, ordination, and ministry/activism.
I will have a short visit to catch up with Kerry/Kathryn and all the great work that she is doing with ACTS---where students who are activists in their own countries will receive the culmination of their work, a masters degree, having written a thesis that is based on the activist work they are doing. Kathryn has been deeply involved with these students for the past year with other visits to Cambodia and by email.
Indonesia: Jakarta and Yogyakarta: July 23--29 (Kathryn and I will be in Indonesia together)
Damairia Pakpahan a prominent Indonesian Roman Catholic feminist visited the U.S. last Fall and requested that I come to Java to speak about our movement of women priests with both Christian and Muslim women and preside at a Eucharist. On Friday July 25 there will be a public meeting in Jakarta in which I will participate and talk about the women priest movement. On July 27, in Yogyakarta, at 5:00pm, I will preside at a Mass.
A bit more about Damaira Pakpahan--she is the co-founder of several inter-faith women's organizations on a local and national level in Indonesia including RUMPUN, Indonesian Women Coalition for Justice and Democracy and Kapal Perempuan. Damaira will coordinate meetings with Muslim feminists and myself. She is also aware of lesbian Indonesian activists, and she has offered to set up a closed meeting to discuss gay rights and religion in Indonesia.
I am aware that this time in Asia, July 13--30, will hold two realities for me. One will be the outward journey as I describe its purposes below. The other will be simultaneously holding the very deep spiritual experience of Meme's (my mother's) passing over on June 14. Perhaps it will feel like being in two realities at the same time. Perhaps that will be wrenching. Perhaps it will be insightful. I don't know.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSES OF THE JULY 13--30, 2008 JOURNEY TO ASIA
As a professor of Women’s Studies and Comparative Religious Studies, I am concerned that the movement for women's ordination in the Roman Catholic Church develop more inter-faith conversations about women’s leadership, particularly with Muslim and Buddhist women. I am interested in writing a scholarly article on a series of visits and interviews I have been invited to have in Southeast Asia this summer.
I have been in contact with women and men in Southeast Asia who want to know more about the women priest movement in the Roman Catholic Church. I have invitations to the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia, but am coordinating an itinerary to the latter three countries this July.
Thailand: (outside of Bangkok) Songdhammakalyani Temple: July 15--19
Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni is the first female monk of Thailand in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. In 2001 Dhammananda received ordination in Sri Lanka. She is now abbot of Songdhammakalyani Monastery, the only monastery for bhikkhunis in Thailand. As editior ofYasodhara: Newsletter on International Buddhist Women's Activities, she solicited an article from me about the history of Roman Catholic Womenpriests that will appear in their next issue. She has invited me to visit with her monks and engage in conversations across our religious traditions. We have many interesting parallels in our movements that we want to discuss further.
Cambodia: Phnom Penh : July 19--22
I am meeting with members of Peace Bridges to consult and plan for theatre workshops with their members. There will be two other meetings in Phnom Penh with Buddhist women who are working with the Cambodia Aids Project. I will be collecting more information on Buddhist women, ordination, and ministry/activism.
I will have a short visit to catch up with Kerry/Kathryn and all the great work that she is doing with ACTS---where students who are activists in their own countries will receive the culmination of their work, a masters degree, having written a thesis that is based on the activist work they are doing. Kathryn has been deeply involved with these students for the past year with other visits to Cambodia and by email.
Indonesia: Jakarta and Yogyakarta: July 23--29 (Kathryn and I will be in Indonesia together)
Damairia Pakpahan a prominent Indonesian Roman Catholic feminist visited the U.S. last Fall and requested that I come to Java to speak about our movement of women priests with both Christian and Muslim women and preside at a Eucharist. On Friday July 25 there will be a public meeting in Jakarta in which I will participate and talk about the women priest movement. On July 27, in Yogyakarta, at 5:00pm, I will preside at a Mass.
A bit more about Damaira Pakpahan--she is the co-founder of several inter-faith women's organizations on a local and national level in Indonesia including RUMPUN, Indonesian Women Coalition for Justice and Democracy and Kapal Perempuan. Damaira will coordinate meetings with Muslim feminists and myself. She is also aware of lesbian Indonesian activists, and she has offered to set up a closed meeting to discuss gay rights and religion in Indonesia.
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