Contemporary Development of Bhikkhuni Sangha in Theravada Buddhism

My focus on this presentation will be limited only to Theravadin tradition. Buddhist women in Theravadin countries i.e. Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia did not have any access to full ordination until recently. The movement started with an effort of the far sighted Ven.Master Hsing Yun of Fo Guang Shan. (2) His branch temple Hsilai (3) in L.A. offered for the first time an international ordination for Buddhist women from all traditions in 1988. (4) At that historic event there were more than 200 female novices who could not obtain full ordination from their own lineage came to receive full ordination. From Theravadin traditions, there were 2 Thai women; (5) Ven.Dhammavati, the leading bhikkhuni of Nepal and her group received full ordination at this time. Eventhough they were fully ordained but upon returning to Nepal they still have to wear the pink robe of thilashins. (6) There were 5 Sri Lankan dasasilmatas who went through this ordination with the support of the Sri Lankan monks living in the US. However, without structural support in Sri Lanka they could not continue bhikkhuni sangha and eventually returned to the traditional dasasilmatas, way of life. (7)