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His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa attends "The Revival of the Tibetan Bhikshuni Ordination Academic Conference"

During the three days from May 22-24, 2006, the Gyalwa Karmapa was invited to Dharamsala, India, to attend the Third Academic Conference on The Revival of Tibetan Bhikshuni Ordination." (text continues below Fotoplayer).

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(continued from top):At the opening ceremony, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Gyalwa Karmapa, Sang-tung Rinpoche, Geshe Tupten of the Graduate Institute of Geshe Studies, and geshes, kenpos; and Vinaya scholars from all the lineages as well as the ga sha officials from the Tibetan government were present. This gatheringgiven by the Tibetan community to the Revival of the Bhikshuni Ordination System. The official schedule commenced at 1:30 p.m. on May 22nd.

The First Day Agenda:

  1. According to Mulasarvastivada lineage is there permision for bhikshunis to receive the bhikshuni ordination from bhikshus?

The Second Day Agenda:

  1. Is it possible for a bhikshuni who has received the shikshamani vow from other Vinaya lineages to receive the bhikshuni vow from a bhikshu of the Mulasarvastivada lineage.
  2. Is it possible for a bhikshuni to receive ordination from the Mulasarvastivada lineage and other bhikshuni vinaya lineages.
  3. Is it possible to receive the bhikshuni ordination solely from other vinaya lineages.

The Third Day Agenda:

  1. The discussion of the topics of the previous two days, citing evidence from the scriptures, and the testimony to questions.

Immediately following this discussion, the Gyalwa Karmapa gave some remarks.

The last day, all the participating representatives from each lineage directed their attention to the last two topics:

  • According to the Mulasarvastivada lineage is it possible for a bhikshu to bestow ordination to a bhikshuni?
  • Is it possible for a bhikshu of the Mulasarvastivada lineage, and other vinaya lineages together bestow the bhikshuni ordination?

The result of a vote by representatives of all lineages on these last two topics failed to reach a consensus.

Sang-tung Rinpoche in his concluding remarks said that the topics for the discussion have made great advancement. Moreover, there are concrete methods to implement them. These topics will be further discussed in the International Conference to be held in Germany next year, with the anticipation that the Tibetan bhikshuni lineage will be established as soon as possible.

- Ani- Miao Rong

Kagyu Office of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (about the Kagyu Office)

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