The Buddha Rises from His Coffin to Speak with Mahamaya
An excerpt from a Chinese Buddhist scripture recording the Buddha’s mother’s descent from heaven to speak with him one last time after his entrance into nirvana
Women in Buddhism
‘Is There a Woman Buddha?’
Faced with a question from her niece, a Buddhist practitioner reckons with the legacies of patriarchy within the tradition.
Personal Reflections Life As It Is
Women’s Ordination, Past and Present
A cofounder of the Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women reflects on the progress that has been made toward full ordination for women—and the challenges that still remain.
Standing Together
A scholar reimagines the first Buddhist women’s request for ordination
CultureMagazine | Book Reviews, Books
Not Taking No for an Answer
A scholar breathes life into the story of the first Buddhist women
Deepening Zen through Poetry and Psychotherapy
Mitra Bishop Roshi talks about her new book and moving away from the one-size-fits-all notion of Zen practice.
Rediscovering Buddhism’s Motherland
A new and first-of-its-kind pilgrimage traces the steps of Mahaprajapati Gautami, the Buddha’s adoptive mother.
Inside the 18th International Sakyadhita Conference
An unexpected feature underscored the care that went into this annual event, this year drawing 3,000 women.
The Rebel Nun and Her Extra-Large Begging Bowl
The Buddha’s response to one nun’s controversial actions illustrates a middle way between condemnation and neglect.
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