Buddha Buzz: Historic opportunity for Buddhist nuns

This week, 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, one of the two claimants to the title, made a historical announcement and promise: to build a monastic college for nuns in the Himalayas.

“I believe you are ready,” the Tibetan leader told a gathering of 400 nuns at the Third Arya Kshema Winter Dharma Gathering in Bodhgaya, India. A statement from the Karmapa’s office said the nuns will study the shastras (five Indian philosophies), and the college will offer education to both monastics and lay women.

This time last year, the Karmapa pledged to work to “lay the necessary framework” for nuns’ full ordination in the future. 

This week on Tricycle’s blog, we travel back to the 60s with Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo, who needed the Dalai Lama to intervene on her behalf when she wanted to study Tibetan at a monastery. Since then, she’s helped nuns learn to read and established an international organization for Buddhist women. You can read more in “Gender Revisited: Are We There Yet?” 

Also on the blog this week:

• John Makransky and Brooke D. Lavelle discuss their new program called “Sustainable Compassion Training,” which is designed to support caregivers and those who serve others.
• “What is your original personal brand before you were born?” And other Postmodern Zen Koans
• Steve Jobs, Buddhism, and Awards Season

There is a lot more new Tricycle content to explore:

• The Spring 2016 issue is here. Be sure to check out “Does Mindfulness Belong in Public Schools,” with two experts discussing their two different viewpoints.
• Tricycle Film Club’s February selection, Siddharth, is now available
• A new online retreat with Reverend Dosung Yoo breaks down the Heart Sutra’s 16 sentences in a close and contemporary reading.