The First Non-Himalayan Nun

The First Non-Himalayan Nun

Of all the Buddha’s great disciples, male or female, Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha’s maternal aunt and stepmother, is the only one whom legend describes as a counterpart to the Tathagatha himself. As an elderly woman she became a zealous follower,...
The Role of Monastics in the West

The Role of Monastics in the West

WESTERN BUDDHIST TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE IN CONVERSATION WITH HH the DALAI LAMA 16-19 March 1993 – Dharamsala Monasticism Jetsunma: First of all I would like to make it clear that of course monasticism is not for everybody. Nor should it be for...