In Thailand, Dhammananda is the only woman able to drape the civara, saffron silk robe worn by monks. First woman ordained Buddhist Thailand, this all-sexagenarian just trying to establish a female monastic order in his country and to promote the spiritual equality of the sexes.
As a hello, a sign Dhammananda sketch benevolent eye, which softens his penetrating gaze fleetingly. The nakedness of her head shaved completely liberates the stylish oval of her face. In Thailand, it is the only woman able to drape the civara, saffron silk robe traditionally worn by members of the monastic community. A privilege that earned him his recent ordination as bikkhunni (nun) according to the Theravada tradition, the school of thought after the primitive Buddhism (1) .... /
In light of the words uttered by the Buddha, the apostle Dhammananda is the spiritual equality of the sexes. She denounced the perversion of a system that legitimizes the inferiority of women in religious terms. Drift misogynist of Buddhism, she has studied for over thirty years to fully invest himself at the age of 54. Individual accomplishment of his spiritual journey, his ordination is also the starting point of an ambitious project for his country: the establishment of a sangha (community) bikkhunnis Theravada in Thailand. Accused of fraud
The announcement of his ordination in 2001 wreaked havoc in the ranks monastic. At the heart of the storm, Dhammananda collides almost unanimous unwillingness of the venerable Buddhist. Accused of fraud, it resçoit threatening letters and the subject of government investigation.
"When I was ordained, I was accused of stirring up trouble. If my critics are confused, because monks in our country have been brainwashed since the beginning. They have a distorted understanding of the ordination of women. "
The nun is not one to mince his words, attitude is all the more surprising that the discretion and restraint are qualities appreciated here. In his line of sight, speech fatalistic monastic authorities, that it is impossible to conduct an ordination without the direct descendants of the original line: any breach of parentage (master-disciple) that allows the transmission of education and community renewal is considered final. "The controversy concerns the conditions of my ordination. Under the rules of monastic life, the ordination of a woman requires the presence of five bikkhunnis and five monks. Since there was no bikkhunni in Thailand, I went to Sri Lanka. "
In this country, Theravada tradition, as in Thailand, the resurrection of the order of bikkhunnis is a reality since 1996. President and cofounder of the international organization Sakyadhita (Daughters of Buddha) in 1993, Dhammananda has a ringside seat to follow the evolution of female Buddhist movement. Based in Sri Lanka, the association promotes the status bikkhunni and promotes access to education for Asian nuns. Three years later, on the ground in Sri Lanka What held the first ordinations of bikkhunnis Theravada.
Fulfillment spiritual Dhammananda is the result of a long maturation started in childhood. "To explain this decision, I'm talking about my mother. When she became Mae Chii in 1956, I was aged 10 years, the full ordination of women does not exist in Thailand. Instead of leaving the house, as is certainly the case traditionally, it has transformed our house into a temple. "Child," daughter of the temple "receives a Buddhist education thrust. Later, a brilliant academic, Elie furthered his theological studies and wrote his thesis on a topic dear to his heart: the status of Buddhist nuns. "I discovered at that time that it was possible for my mother to be ordained in Taiwan, according to the Mahayana tradition ... .. /
Dharnmananda is far from suspecting that his commitment to Buddhist women and service to guide its not his mother until his own ordination. When Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, his secular name, decides to take an oath is an accomplished woman, a mother of three children, and at the height of his career. Professor of Buddhist philosophy for twenty years, responsible for Indian studies in government, it displays the typical profile of the public woman hyperactive multiplies caps and attended many international conferences.
As a just reward, is in his mother's temple, Wat Kalyani, that Dhammananda settles, a haven of peace conducive to meditation. In the small village of Nakhon Pathom, about fifty miles from the bustle of Bangkok, the new priestess needed easily with the locals as the equal of the monks. ... /
Twice a day, the small congregation gathered around a statue of Buddha to pray. Bikkhunni to live worthy of the name, Dharnmananda respects the 311 precepts laid down by the Buddha, such as not eating after 12 hours. The constraints of monastic life does not mean its calm and serenity that heats poster looks more like a facade of propriety. Laptop, phone, piles of files, the office where she receives is not what we imagine as being that of a nun. "Most people think that a good nun must live away from the world. Being bikkhuni does not turn inward even ¬. I think I have more work today than in my secular life. "This
" engaged Buddhism, "as she calls herself, was quick to endorse the role of spiritual guide. She regularly receives anonymous stay several nights at the temple: "It is my duty to help people and receive them. If they come with a soufftance, I practice compassion and listening. ... / "
She knows the social significance of a community of bikkhunni, its positive impact on the image, sometimes worse, Thai women:" There was no woman in Thailand, may represent a model in terms ... spiritual /
cial Sauvaire
Preview - Article published in the May 2006 World Religions -
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