VIETNAM CONFERENCE & PILGRIMAGE
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Dec 28th 2009 – Jan. 13th 2010
Brief History: In February, 1987 a group of nuns and lay women organized a conference in Bodhgaya India and a decision was made to start an international Buddhist women’s organization. The name chosen was Sakyadhita, “Daughters of the Buddha.” Since then conferences have been held about every two years.
The 11th Sakyadhita Conference was held in Vietnam, and I had the good fortune of being there. There were approximately 2500 participants from 37 countries, representing many Buddhist traditions.
Each day began with meditation - at two venues and with a different tradition. I was asked to give a guided meditation which I was honored to do. I chose a Loving Kindness meditation that I had learned from Venerable Ayya Khema (one of the founding members of SI). There were over 1000 participants in attendance that morning.....
There were 54 International papers presented during the conference. The theme of this conference was “Eminent Buddhist Women” and I presented a paper on my first Buddhist meditation teacher, the late Anagarika Dhammadinna. I also guided two Mindfulness Yoga workshops – and to say the least, that was challenging - but so rich and rewarding. (Nuns in robes, no mats, many didn’t speak English, very small space).The opportunity to share and to give to Buddhist women from various cultures and traditions, was heart-warming and inspirational.
Following the conference many of the participants took part in a pilgrimage from south to north Vietnam, visiting many Buddhist temples, schools, universities, orphanages, heritage sites, parks, caves, cultural centers etc. It was indeed a privilege and a great joy to attend and participate in this unique and wonderful conference and pilgrimage of Buddhist women. Further information is available at: www.sakyadhita.org/canada
MONGOLIA REFLECTIONS 2008
The 10th Sakyadhita International Women’s Conference in Mongolia is now a memory – a most pleasant one I might add. The conference theme was: “Buddhism in Transition: Tradition, Changes and Challenges” and was held from July 1st to 5th, 2008 in Ulaanbaatar. There were 150 international participants and over 200 Mongolian women in attendance. I was delighted to be a participant, presenter and organizer at this conference, and then to join in the spiritual pilgrimage in Mongolia and Siberia.
Group Photo
Donations were received from many friends and students to help sponsor a nun or laywoman to attend the conference. As it turned out our donation assisted two Theravadin bhikkhunis (nuns) – one from Burma and one from Nepal.
Bhikkhuni Sujata lives in Nepal and is a strong advocate for the nuns in Asia, and she also focuses much of her time and energy helping children in the poor areas of Nepal. She presented a paper “Buddhist Women of Nepal”.
Daw Kesaracari, from Burma has been studying in Singapore and is currently doing her doctorate degree in India. – With plans on returning to Burma. She presented a paper “Buddhist Nuns in Myanmar”.
Tibetan Buddha Image
Our support of these two nuns will be wide spread as they continue to promote world peace through the teachings of the Buddha, develop programs and projects, and support Buddhists (particularly women and children) in Asia.
May you all receive many wholesome fruits for your kindness.
Anumodana (delighting in your generosity),
Jayanta
About Shirley Jayanta Johannesen
Shirley Jayanta, founder and president of Stretch Awareness, is an acknowledged and respected teacher of yoga and meditation. Shirley graduated from the Canadian Society of Radiological Technicians in Quebec and holds a Bachelor of General Studies (with a major in Kinesiology) from Alberta.
Jayanta - Sakyadhita Canada President
For over forty years she has studied and practised with a wide range of internationally known yoga and meditation teachers. In yoga, Jayanta has an Advanced Teacher Training certificate from Dona Holleman (Italy) and Orit Sen-Gupta (Israel). She also holds a permanent teacher certification from the Yoga Association of Alberta, and is certified with the Yoga Centre of Calgary. Her introduction to yoga was in the late 1960's and since then she has studied and practised with many senior teachers in the lineage's of Sivananda and Krishnamacharya. She is a founding member of the Yoga Association of Alberta, the Yoga Centre of Calgary and the Canadian Iyengar Yoga Association.
In meditation Jayanta has trained extensively in the Theravada Forest tradition, and is a member of CALM (Community of Abhayagiri Lay Ministers) at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, California. Her first introduction to Buddhism was in 1974 when she met and studied with the late Anagarika Dhamma Dinna, and under Anagarika's guidance she began a weekly sitting/study group, teaching meditation classes and leading Vipassana retreats. The following is a list of Buddhist teachers she has studied with: Venerable Ajahn Pasanno, Venerable Ajahn Amaro, Venerable Achan Sobin Namto, Venerable Sister Ayya Khema, Venerable Nayaka Thera Piyadassi Thera, Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Maha Nayaka Thera.
CALM in Thailand
Jayanta is a founding member of the Calgary Theravadan Meditation Society, the Light of the Dhamma and the Canadian International Buddhist Foundation. She has been actively involved in Sakyadhita International since its inception in 1987, and is the president of Sakyadhita Canada.
Jayanta shares her knowledge and expertise through meditation retreats, yoga workshops, private consultations and teacher training (advance studies). Her audio-visual productions include the yoga video: Stretch Breathe Relax and audio tapes: Relaxation Circle and Meditation Circle.
STRETCH-AWARENESS
213-5300 Huston Road
Peachland, B.C. V0H 1X2
Phone|Fax: (250) 767-6784
E-Mail: Shirley