The 18th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women, hosted jointly by the Korean Bhiksuni Association and Sakyadhita Korea from June 23 to 27, 2023, featured paper presentations, workshops, exhibitions, meditation, and cultural performances. As is painfully evident, modernity can no longer protect us or guarantee everlasting happiness. The transience of our existence in this precarious world has become painfully obvious, giving us an opportunity to reflect of the unique value of human life and reminding us to remain attentive to each precious moment. In such an atmosphere, participants from more than 30 countries gathered in Seoul, South Korea, for a celebration of insight and awareness here. Women and men, lay and ordained, gathered in harmony to learn, share their wisdom, and take joy in the company of like-minded friends.

With a history of Buddhism that spans almost two millennia, Korea is home to many temples where the beauty of nature meets rich and ancient traditions. Following the conference, a delightful tour to temples in the Korean countryside provided participants with a special three-day pilgrimage to some of Korea’s most iconic and beautiful temples, such as Woljeongsa, Baekdamsa, and Naksansa. Baekdamsa Temple proved to be a very special experience. Although the temple was in the midst of an intensive three-month retreat, the monks hosted the Sakyadhita travelers for two nights, allowing them to rest and meditate, surrounded by nature, all the while fostering meaningful conversations and friendships.

We now live in a global community that is more closely connected than ever before. Humanitu faces unprecedented challenges, including environmental and health threats that affect us all. To meet these challenges, bold collaborative solutions are needed. The 17th Sakyadhita International Conference explored how Buddhist women can combine their strengths and go beyond boundaries to lead wise and compassionate responses to the urgent issues facing the world.

The global pandemic has disrupted the lives and dreams of people around the world, causing great suffering, sadness, and frustration. It has also been an opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the interrelatedness of all life. The pandemic naturally limited international travel, yet fortunately Internet technology enabled the Sakyadhita team to organize the 17th Sakyadhita International Conference online. The conference included paper presentations, workshops, and film screenings that explored how Buddhist women are working together to transcend traditional boundaries of religion, class and ethnicity, working with Buddhist principles to respond to the critical issues the world faces today. Both academic research and perspectives based on personal experience enabled participants to envision a kinder, wiser, more gentle world.

The 16th Sakyadhita Confererence, held in the Blue Mountains south of Sydney, Australia, focused on the theme, “New Horizons in Buddhism.” The first Sakyadhita to be held outside of Asia, it drew over 800 people from 29 countries. Featured speakers included leading laywomen, yoginis, nuns, monks, and laymen from around the world. Notable speakers included Roshi Joan Halifax, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Bhiksuni Thubten Chodron, Dekila Chungyalpa, Bhikkhu Sujato, Dr. Karma Lekshe Tsomo, and Dr. Paula Arai. Speakers took diverse perspectives on timely and sensitive issues such as conflict resolution in Buddhist countries and communities, sexual misconduct among Buddhist teachers, Dharma and mothering, environmentally friendly Buddhism, and the ongoing debate over the full ordination of women. Films, meditations, Dharma talks, Buddhist music, and workshops on koans, climate crisis, Korean temple food, baby sleepware for unwed mothers, the art of tea, sexual exploitation, death, dance, trauma, kimchee, storytelling, anxiety, Dharma rap, and qigong rounded out the program. The Blue Mountains formed a perfect backdrop for a fascinating gathering.

The 15th Sakyadhita Conference in Hong Kong was a resounding success, with over 800 participants from 31 countries. The theme “Contemporary Buddhist Women: Contemplation, Cultural Exchange & Social Action” led to lively conversations. A week of workshops and meditation at The University of Hong Kong, from June 22 to 28, was followed by a two-day tour to Lantau Island and other cultural attractions. Olivier Adam kindly shares glimpses of this joyful, meaningful gathering of Buddhist women leaders and their allies.

The conference theme, “Contemporary Buddhist Women: Contemplation, Cultural Exchange & Social Action,” highlights the diversity of contemporary Buddhist women throughout the world.

Buddhism is a significant cultural force in our world, influencing virtually every sphere of human activity from business to popular music. This global spread of Buddhist ethics, iconography, meditation, and philosophy is having an impact on science, psychology, government, and the arts. Today, women have more pathways to self-enrichment than at any time in recorded history. Whether the choice is a career, family, or monastery, women are expanding beyond traditional roles in creative and beneficial ways. Women also take different paths and approaches to spirituality. Depending on their cultural backgrounds and personal interests, they may be inclined to meditation, scholarship, social activism, or the arts. The 2017 conference theme is broad enough to encompass the many aspects of what Buddhism means to women and to embrace the range of Buddhist women’s experiences.

• “Contemplation” includes personal introspection, mindfulness practice, meditation, and reflection on contemporary life issues.
• “Cultural exchange” incorporates interreligious dialogue, indigenous Buddhist experience, inter-generational dialogue, and Buddhist transcultural exchange, expressed through music, literature, drama, painting, social media, and the martial arts.
• “Social action” takes many forms, including charitable activities, social entrepreneurship, community leadership, and other ways of transforming society. The 15th Sakyadhita Conference will be a forum for making connections across cultures and traditions, exploring a wide range of Buddhist teachings, values, and techniques for living a meaningful life.

The 14th Sakyadhita Conference was held in Indonesia at the Sambi Resort, located in the highlands on the outskirts of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The tropical ambiance and spacious grounds at Sambi were an ideal setting for meditation, educational presentations, workshops, interactive discussions, and cultural exchanges. As with all Sakyadhita International Conferences, all voices were welcome; women and men lay and ordained of all ages, nationalities, and perspectives.

Over many centuries, Buddhist women have made significant contributions to the spiritual and social well-being of their communities. Nevertheless, Buddhist women are frequently excluded from the processes that shape their communities, such as negotiations among religious, governmental, and social leaders. Decision-makers and social activists may be unfamiliar with Buddhist women’s contributions, while Buddhist women may remain disconnected from the overarching issues that affect their daily lives.

The 14th Sakyadhita International Conference provided an opportunity to discuss creating better connections between Dharma and the social and political dimensions of women’s experience. Together, we explored how compassion and spiritual development can help shape a more just and peaceful world.

Yogyakarta is a city and the capital of Yogyakarta Special Region in Java, Indonesia. It is renowned as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and puppet shows. Additionally, Yogyakarta was the center of a refined and sophisticated Javanese Hindu-Buddhist culture for three centuries, beginning in the 8th Century CE. Consequently, there were numerous candi constructed including Borobudur and Prambanan.

The conference theme, “Buddhism at the Grassroots,” highlights the efforts and achievements of Buddhist women who work to alleviate the sufferings of living beings “on the ground.” Presenters will share their own work and a variety of approaches, including social activism, performance, education, meditation, and philosophy. Since the 1950s, Buddhism has undergone a renewal throughout the world. No longer confined to monasteries and retreat centers, Buddhism is being taught as a practice for everyday living. Until recently, Buddhist women primarily supported the practice of others, but today women are among the most dedicated and diligent practitioners. The 13th Sakyadhita Conference will highlight the achievements of Buddhist women from earliest times until today.

The 12th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women was held in Bangkok from June 12 to 18, 2011. The conference’s theme was “Leading to Liberation,” and a variety of issues were addressed including issues that people don’t generally associate with Buddhist women, such as the environment and LGBTQ concerns. The 12th Sakyadhita Conference was hosted at Sathira- Dhammasathan, a learning community founded in central Bangkok in 1987 by Maechee Sansanee Sthirasuta. The center’s programs for children, teenagers, parents, and abused women promote peace, harmony, compassion, and enlightenment among people of all ages, genders, and walks of life. The eco-friendly center is home to Savika Sikkahalaya Buddhist Institute, an educational project based on the experiences gained from over 20 years of Sathira Dhammasathan’s social services. The center is a delightful and inspiring venue for this historical gathering.

The 11th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women was held at the Universal Light Monastery in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from December 28, 2009 to January 3, 2010. The conference theme, “Eminent Buddhist Women,” highlighted the achievements of Buddhist Women around the world. Until recently, women were largely absent from Buddhist histories, but since 1987, Sakyadhita members have made conscientious efforts to encourage research on the lives and achievements of both laywomen and nuns in Buddhist societies. The 11th Sakyadhita Conference encouraged further research and reflection on these achievements.

The 10th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women was held at Hotel Mongolia, Ulaanbataar, Mongolia from July 1 to July 5, 2008. The conference theme, “Buddhism in Transition: Tradition, Changes, and Challenges,” brought together leading Buddhist scholars, practitioners, artists, and social activists from around the world who offered ideas and insights on critical issues facing contemporary society. Morning meditations and evening chanting provided glimpses of the world’s rich Buddhist traditions. Small group discussions, interdisciplinary panels, and workshops facilitated dialogue among participants.

The 9th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women was held at Sau Seng Lum (Puchong) Exhibition Center in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia from June 17 to 21, 2006. The conference theme was “Buddhist Women in a Global Multicultural Community.”

The 8th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women was held on June 27 through July 2, 2004. The conference’s theme was “Discipline and Practice of Buddhist Women: Present and Past.”

Sakyadhita aims to empower women and transform their lives, their communities, and their worlds. Continuing this mission, the 7th International Conference on Buddhist Women focused on how women can fulfill this potential by joining their efforts.

In our increasingly complex world, we are presented each day with new challenges and opportunities. Buddhists around the world are meeting frequently to discuss how Buddhist ideas and practices, such as compassion, skillful means, and uncompromising integrity, can help people maximize their potential to meet these challenges. More than ever before in history, women are playing leading roles in these crosscultural, interreligious exchanges.