Sakyadhita Conferences:

Bringing Women Together Since 1987

Members who attend Sakyadhita International Conferences on Buddhist Women have a keen awareness and commitment to social activism that only grows through the development of relationships with others who are also socially engaged. Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women continues to bring women of the world together through global conferences. Since our beginning in 1987, we have been dedicated to fostering gender equity, scholarship, social networking, and harmony among Buddhist women. The 14th Sakyadhita Conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, will continue this tradition of uniting dedicated practitioners and allies – nuns, laywomen, and those who are neither lay nor ordained – to encourage their work for the spiritual and secular well-being of the world.

15th Sakyadhita International Conference

We are excited to announce that the 15th Sakyadhita International Conference will be held during the summer of 2017 in Hong Kong.

14th Sakyadhita International Conference

The 14th Sakyadhita International Conference was held during the summer of 2015 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Yogyakarta is a city and the capital of Yogyakarta Special Region in Java, Indonesia. It is renowned as a centre 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.

13th Sakyadhita International Conference

The conference theme, “Buddhism at the Grassroots,” highlighted 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.

12th Sakyadhita International Conference

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.

11th Sakyadhita International Conference

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.