The “1st International Congress on Buddhist Women’s Role in the Sangha: Bhikshuni Vinaya and Ordination Lineages” was held at the University of Hamburg from July 18-20, 2007, in cooperation with the University’s Asia-Africa Institute.
Congress Proceedings now available
A large part of the proceedings of the International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha has been published by Wisdom Publications in May 2010. For Details see www.wisdompubs.org.
Preview this book: books.google.com
Papers presented during the Congress, but not included in "Dignity and Discipline" as well as other essays realted to the congress topic you can download for free here .
News
In Oct. 2009 a bhikkhuni ordination took place in Australia which was headed by Ven. Ajahn Brahm. The ordination ritual was criticized by Ven. Thanissaro claiming the invalidity of the ordination due to formal flaws. Even in case there have been some minor mistakes according to the Pali Vinaya, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi rejects the invalidity.Information about Developments after the Congress
This website still enjoys about 700 visitors per month. We therefore decided to keep this website as information on the congress uploaded. Researchers, speakers and participants thus have the possibility to keep informed and share information. Suggestions for improvement are most welcome. Please understand that we can only upload information we receive. Please contact: JampaTsedroen@gmx.de
Activities of the Committee of Western Bhikshunis (CWB)
The CWB is currently undertaking efforts to develop communication materials to act upon the 7/18/2009 recommendation to the CWB by Mr. Gonpo Puntsok of the Department of Religion and Culture in Dharamsala that if the CWB committee could lobby the community of bhikshu masters using reliable vinaya sources and in harmony with vinaya teachings and Buddha Dharma, to bring about a consensus on accepting a method to make bhikshuni ordination available in the Tibetan tradition, it would bring great satisfaction for every party connected to it.
Photos and Live-Recordings
Some photos of the congress.
Live-Recordings of the congress on CD and DVD can be ordered via this PDF form.
Research Projects und Conferences
Buddhismus (Foundation for Buddhist Studies) and
takes place in co-operation with the
Asia-Africa-Institute of the University of Hamburg.
See our list of sponsors.

