Difference between revisions of "Ajahn Brahm excommunicated for performing Bhikkhuni Ordination in Australia"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Ajahnbrahm.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Ajahnbrahm.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | [[Ayya]] Tathaaloka, from the [[United States]], was the [[Preceptor]]. [[Ajahn Brahm]] and [[Ajahn]] [[Sujato]] performed the certifying [[Acariya]] [[Chanting]] in the [[Bhikkhu]]'s part of the {{Wiki|ceremony}}. | + | |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | On Thursday 22nd October 2009, Sisters [[Vayama]], [[Nirodha]], [[Seri]] and Hassapañña were [[ordained]] as [[Theravada]] [[Bhikkhunis]] in a dual [[ordination]] {{Wiki|ceremony}} held at {{Wiki|Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery}} in {{Wiki|Perth}}, {{Wiki|Western}} [[Australia]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Ayya]] [[Tathaaloka]], from the [[United States]], was the [[Preceptor]]. [[Ajahn Brahm]] and [[Ajahn]] [[Sujato]] performed the certifying [[Acariya]] [[Chanting]] in the [[Bhikkhu]]'s part of the {{Wiki|ceremony}}. | ||
The [[ordination]] of [[Theravada]] [[Bhikkhunis]] in [[Australia]] was fully supported by the [[Australian]] [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|community}}. | The [[ordination]] of [[Theravada]] [[Bhikkhunis]] in [[Australia]] was fully supported by the [[Australian]] [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|community}}. | ||
| Line 12: | Line 21: | ||
[[Ajahn]] [[Brahm]] excommunicated for performing [[Bhikkhuni]] [[Ordination]] in [[Australia]] | [[Ajahn]] [[Brahm]] excommunicated for performing [[Bhikkhuni]] [[Ordination]] in [[Australia]] | ||
| − | {{Wiki|Kuala Lumpur}}, {{Wiki|Malaysia}} -- On Thursday 22nd October 2009, Sisters Vayama, [[Nirodha]], Seri and Hassapañña were [[ordained]] as [[Theravada]] [[Bhikkhunis]] in a dual [[ordination]] {{Wiki|ceremony}} held at {{Wiki|Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery}} in {{Wiki|Perth}}, {{Wiki|Western}} [[Australia]]. | + | {{Wiki|Kuala Lumpur}}, {{Wiki|Malaysia}} -- On Thursday 22nd October 2009, Sisters [[Vayama]], [[Nirodha]], [[Seri]] and Hassapañña were [[ordained]] as [[Theravada]] [[Bhikkhunis]] in a dual [[ordination]] {{Wiki|ceremony}} held at {{Wiki|Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery}} in {{Wiki|Perth}}, {{Wiki|Western}} [[Australia]]. |
| − | [[Ayya]] Tathaaloka, from the [[United States]], was the [[Preceptor]]. [[Ajahn]] [[Brahm]] and [[Ajahn Sujato]] performed the certifying [[Acariya]] [[Chanting]] in the [[Bhikkhu]]'s part of the {{Wiki|ceremony}}. | + | [[Ayya]] [[Tathaaloka]], from the [[United States]], was the [[Preceptor]]. [[Ajahn]] [[Brahm]] and [[Ajahn Sujato]] performed the certifying [[Acariya]] [[Chanting]] in the [[Bhikkhu]]'s part of the {{Wiki|ceremony}}. |
The [[ordination]] of [[Theravada]] [[Bhikkhunis]] in [[Australia]] was fully supported by the [[Australian]] [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|community}}. | The [[ordination]] of [[Theravada]] [[Bhikkhunis]] in [[Australia]] was fully supported by the [[Australian]] [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|community}}. | ||
| Line 20: | Line 29: | ||
However, no such support came from the {{Wiki|Western}} [[monks]] in {{Wiki|Europe}} associated with [[Thailand]]. Indeed, the leading {{Wiki|Western}} [[monks]] in {{Wiki|England}}, together with the {{Wiki|Western}} [[monks]] in [[Thailand]], formally requested [[Ajahn]] [[Brahm]] to be excommunicated from [[Wat Pah Pong]], which is the [[monastery]] where he was trained under [[Ajahn Chah]]. | However, no such support came from the {{Wiki|Western}} [[monks]] in {{Wiki|Europe}} associated with [[Thailand]]. Indeed, the leading {{Wiki|Western}} [[monks]] in {{Wiki|England}}, together with the {{Wiki|Western}} [[monks]] in [[Thailand]], formally requested [[Ajahn]] [[Brahm]] to be excommunicated from [[Wat Pah Pong]], which is the [[monastery]] where he was trained under [[Ajahn Chah]]. | ||
| − | He was summoned to a [[meeting]] in [[Thailand]] on Sunday November 1st where, after much harsh [[discussion]], he was given the choice of publicly stating that the [[ordination]] was invalid or else be excommunicated from the [[Wat]] Pah Pong {{Wiki|community}}. | + | He was summoned to a [[meeting]] in [[Thailand]] on [[Sunday]] November 1st where, after much harsh [[discussion]], he was given the choice of publicly stating that the [[ordination]] was invalid or else be excommunicated from the [[Wat]] Pah Pong {{Wiki|community}}. |
He refused to recant, as he was not willing to disavow an [[ordination]] procedure which was valid according to the [[Vinaya]] (the [[monastic]] {{Wiki|rules}} established by The [[Buddha]]), nor was he willing to go against the wishes of the [[Australian]] [[Sangha]] Association and the thousands of lay [[Buddhists]] from around the [[World]] who supported the full {{Wiki|integration}} of women into [[Theravada]] [[Buddhism]]. | He refused to recant, as he was not willing to disavow an [[ordination]] procedure which was valid according to the [[Vinaya]] (the [[monastic]] {{Wiki|rules}} established by The [[Buddha]]), nor was he willing to go against the wishes of the [[Australian]] [[Sangha]] Association and the thousands of lay [[Buddhists]] from around the [[World]] who supported the full {{Wiki|integration}} of women into [[Theravada]] [[Buddhism]]. | ||
| Line 26: | Line 35: | ||
In many people's opinion, it is a [[sad]] day when [[monks]] who believe in the [[ordination]] did not speak up to support [[Ajahn Brahm's]] courageous act. Instead, a group of [[monks]] at [[Wat]] Pah Pong who lacked foundation in the [[monastic]] {{Wiki|rules}} laid down by The [[Buddha]], use excommunication as a means for imposing control and to preserve "[[tradition]]". | In many people's opinion, it is a [[sad]] day when [[monks]] who believe in the [[ordination]] did not speak up to support [[Ajahn Brahm's]] courageous act. Instead, a group of [[monks]] at [[Wat]] Pah Pong who lacked foundation in the [[monastic]] {{Wiki|rules}} laid down by The [[Buddha]], use excommunication as a means for imposing control and to preserve "[[tradition]]". | ||
| − | However, support for [[Ajahn Brahm]] from around the [[World]] is building up, including Ven. [[Bhikkhu]] [[Bodhi]], the [[translator]] of The [[Buddha's suttas]], [[Majjhima Nikaya]], and the author of "The [[Buddha's Words]]", and his large following in {{Wiki|Singapore}}, the members of the [[Buddhist Fellowship]]. | + | However, support for [[Ajahn Brahm]] from around the [[World]] is building up, [[including]] Ven. [[Bhikkhu]] [[Bodhi]], the [[translator]] of The [[Buddha's suttas]], [[Majjhima Nikaya]], and the author of "The [[Buddha's Words]]", and his large following in {{Wiki|Singapore}}, the members of the [[Buddhist Fellowship]]. |
The [[Buddhist]] [[Channel]], Nov 5, 2009 | The [[Buddhist]] [[Channel]], Nov 5, 2009 | ||
Latest revision as of 16:19, 31 March 2024
On Thursday 22nd October 2009, Sisters Vayama, Nirodha, Seri and Hassapañña were ordained as Theravada Bhikkhunis in a dual ordination ceremony held at Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery in Perth, Western Australia.
Ayya Tathaaloka, from the United States, was the Preceptor. Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Sujato performed the certifying Acariya Chanting in the Bhikkhu's part of the ceremony.
The ordination of Theravada Bhikkhunis in Australia was fully supported by the Australian Buddhist community.
However, no such support came from the Western monks in Europe associated with Thailand.
Indeed, the leading Western monks in England, together with the Western monks in Thailand, formally requested Ajahn Brahm to be excommunicated from Wat Pah Pong, which is the monastery where he was trained under Ajahn Chah.
Ajahn Brahm excommunicated for performing Bhikkhuni Ordination in Australia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- On Thursday 22nd October 2009, Sisters Vayama, Nirodha, Seri and Hassapañña were ordained as Theravada Bhikkhunis in a dual ordination ceremony held at Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery in Perth, Western Australia.
Ayya Tathaaloka, from the United States, was the Preceptor. Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Sujato performed the certifying Acariya Chanting in the Bhikkhu's part of the ceremony.
The ordination of Theravada Bhikkhunis in Australia was fully supported by the Australian Buddhist community.
However, no such support came from the Western monks in Europe associated with Thailand. Indeed, the leading Western monks in England, together with the Western monks in Thailand, formally requested Ajahn Brahm to be excommunicated from Wat Pah Pong, which is the monastery where he was trained under Ajahn Chah.
He was summoned to a meeting in Thailand on Sunday November 1st where, after much harsh discussion, he was given the choice of publicly stating that the ordination was invalid or else be excommunicated from the Wat Pah Pong community.
He refused to recant, as he was not willing to disavow an ordination procedure which was valid according to the Vinaya (the monastic rules established by The Buddha), nor was he willing to go against the wishes of the Australian Sangha Association and the thousands of lay Buddhists from around the World who supported the full integration of women into Theravada Buddhism.
In many people's opinion, it is a sad day when monks who believe in the ordination did not speak up to support Ajahn Brahm's courageous act. Instead, a group of monks at Wat Pah Pong who lacked foundation in the monastic rules laid down by The Buddha, use excommunication as a means for imposing control and to preserve "tradition".
However, support for Ajahn Brahm from around the World is building up, including Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, the translator of The Buddha's suttas, Majjhima Nikaya, and the author of "The Buddha's Words", and his large following in Singapore, the members of the Buddhist Fellowship.
The Buddhist Channel, Nov 5, 2009
