How one woman changed Buddhism

Sanghamitta Day Celebrations

Sanghamitta and the Bodhi Tree

Saṅghamittā (Sanskrit Saṅghamitrā, "Friend of the Sangha") with the nun's name Ven. Ayapali Theri [1], who lived from 282 BC–203 BC [1].

 

She was a fully enlightened (arhat, arahant) Indian Buddhist nun and the eldest daughter (as recounted in Sri Lankan tradition as recorded in the Dīpavaṃsa) of Indian Buddhist Emperor Ashoka (304 BC–232 BC) with his first wife Queen Devi (302 BCE–242 BCE).

Together with her monastic brother, Ven. Mahinda Thero, she entered the order of Buddhist monastics. The two siblings later went as Buddhist missionaries to the island of Sri Lanka to spread the Dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha, at the request of Sri Lankan King Devanampiya Tissa (250 BC–210 BC), who was a contemporary of King Ashoka.

• (Theravada) Buddhism in Sri Lanka
• Buddhism was first missionary faith

Emperor Asoka at Nava Jetavana Temple, Shravasti, for the Third Buddhist Council

 

From Emperor Ashoka's India to Sri Lanka

Ashoka was initially reluctant to send his daughter (according to the Sri Lankan tradition) on an overseas mission, even one of only 35 miles, the distance between the subcontinent (India) and the island (dipa or dvipa).

However, because of the insistence of Ven. Sangamitta herself, he finally agreed. She was sent to Sri Lanka together with several other nuns to start the Buddhist nun's lineage of (Bhikkhuni Sangha or order of fully ordained female Buddhist monastics) at the request of King Tissa.

• 

  Sangha incomplete without women

  THERE ARE MANY GREAT WOMEN IN BUDDHISM: Many come to mind like the Buddha's enlightened wife (Bimba Devi, Yasodhara, Rāhulamātā, Bhadda Kaccana, Subhaddakā, and called by many other names to dilute her magnificence and prominence in the Bhikkhuni Sangha, as if she were the "Mary" so often mentioned in Christianity); Ven. Mahā Pajāpatī Gotami, the Buddha's mother and history's first Buddhist nun; Western German Jewish Buddhist nun Ayya Khema, who restarted full ordination in Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka; Khema Theri, foremost in wisdom; Uppalavanna, foremost in psychic powers; Ven. Sundarī Nanda, the Buddha's fully enlightened sister (possibly the same as the "Belle of the Land," the most beautiful Janapada Kalyani); Kwan Yin Bodhisattva, Goddess of Compassion; Prajnaparamita, Goddess of Wisdom (Buddhism's Sophia); the various colored Taras; Ambapali the Wise Courtesan; Ven. Kisa Gotami; Dipa Ma; modern American greats like Tara Brach, Ven. Tathālokā Bhikkhunī, Sharon Salzberg, Sylvia Boorstein, Shaila Catherine, Tina Rasmussen; and the many advanced ones like Beth Upton, Sayalay Susila, Sayalay Dipankara, and so on.

There she ordained Queen Anulā and other women in King Tissa's court at Anuradhapura who desired to be ordained as nuns after Mahinda converted them to Buddhism [2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

After Sanghamittā’s contribution to the propagation of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and her establishing the Bhikkhunī Sangha or Meheini Sasna ("Order of Buddhist Nuns") there, her name became synonymous with "Buddhist Female Monastic Order of Theravāda Buddhism" that was established Sri Lanka, Burma, China, and Thailand, in particular.

The day she brought the most revered Bodhi tree as a sapling to Sri Lanka and planted it in Anuradhapura, where it still survives, is still celebrated annually on the Full Moon Day of December as Uduvapa Poya or Uposatha Poya and "Sanghamittā Day" by Sri Lankan Theravāda Buddhists [3, 5, 7]. More

• Venerable Gotami (video), Dec. 22, 2025; Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

31-y.o. techie chooses a monk's life

Why a 31-year old Singaporean techie chose the monk's life

(Handful of Leaves) Oct. 14, 2025: Handful of Leaves Podcast. Rich in Buddhist Singapore, from dating girls to reading about Elon Musk to thinking about politics, he was in search of meaning in his early 20s. All that changed when he read about the Buddha and his monastic followers.

Handful of Leaves had the awesome opportunity to speak with novice Samanera/Anagarika Phra Ryan before he took full ordination. Here’s his story of becoming a Buddhist monk at the prime of his career in Singapore's tech industry.

This is also how young only son Ryan, with family members of a different religious faith, arrived at this path of Buddhist monasticism. #BuddhistWisdom #MindfulLiving #FaithAndPractice

ABOUT: Halfway through his university studies, Ryan embarked on a spiritual journey into the deeper meaning of life and found himself drawn towards Buddhism. It was during a silent retreat in the Australian bush at a Theravada monastery, which marked the beginning of an eight-year journey into monkhood. This is his story.

• 📄 Transcript: bit.ly/hol-phra-ryan

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

• (00:00) – First week as a Buddhist novice (monk-to-be): nervous then relief
• (01:30) – Meeting Ajahn Dhammasiha and first retreats
• (03:00) – Life as an anagarika and his family’s reaction
• (05:00) – Growing up privileged and searching for meaning
• (07:05) – Parents’ and friends’ response to his ordination
• (09:10) – Luang Por’s [Senior Monk's] teaching: life without mindfulness is crazy
• (10:00) – Goal of practice: freeing the mind from clinging/attachment
• (11:15) – Wearing the robe [Banner of the Arahants] and facing “imposter syndrome”
• (12:09) – Choosing Wat Marp Jan [Monastery] under Luang Por [Ven.] Anan

Special thanks to Handful of Leaves' sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee

• 🙏 Become a sponsor: handfulofleaves.life/support

🎬 Editor: Hong Jiayi. ✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay. 🎨 Visuals and Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan.

• 📱 Get connected: Ajahn Dhammasiha: @dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724
• Wat Pah Nanachat: watpahnanachat.org
• Wat Marp Jan: @ajahnanan
• Telegram: bit.ly/hol-telegram
• Instagram: bit.ly/hol-instagram-podcast
• Facebook: bit.ly/hol-facebook-podcast
• Spotify: spoti.fi/3w2jfQ1
• Handful of Leaves, Oct. 14, 2025; Pat Macpherson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

LA Chinatown Hungry Ghost Festival

Burning "hell money"!?!

A burnt offering to benefit the deceased

"Hell money" (Chinese 冥鈔, Pinyin míngchāo) is a modernized form of joss paper printed to resemble legal tender bank notes. The notes are not an official form of recognized currency or legal tender [except among greedy ghosts] as their sole intended purpose is to be offered as burnt offerings to the deceased as a solution to resolve their assumed monetary problems in the afterlife. This ritual has been practiced by modern Chinese and across East Asia since the late 19th century, and some Wicca-based pagan traditions in recent years have adopted this practice [1]. Early 20th century examples bore resemblance to minor commercial currency of the type issued by businesses across China until the mid-1940s [2]. The identification of this type of joss paper as "hell bank notes" or "hell money" is largely a Western construct, since these items are simply regarded as yet another form of joss paper (冥幣, 陰司紙, 紙錢, or 金紙) in East Asian cultures and have no special name or status. More: Hell money

FREE: The Los Angeles Hungry Ghost Festival: Sunday, Sept. 7, 4:00 pm

They're hungry. Will there be food?

This is the second annual festival. Through performance, ritual altars, and community celebration, we honor our departed ancestors and appease hungry ghosts. Building on last year’s success, this year’s festival features lion dance and Zodiac play by The East Wind Foundation for Youth, live music by Micah Huang and Annie Zhou, dance performances by The Sunset Light Dance Team, and martial arts demonstrations by Misako. Activities for youth include cultural crafts tables, face paint station, bouncy house, and a scavenger hunt. The festival is FREE and open to the public. More

• Sunday, Sept. 7th, 2025, 4:00-7:00 pm
• Alpine Recreation Center, Chinatown
• LA Chinatown Hungry Ghost Festival

The REAL Hungry Ghost Festival is on September 5 or 6, 2025. Here's why

Gods of Death across mythology and folklore | Watch

Are hungry ghosts evil demons? No, those are hellions. Ghosts are the departed.

The dearly departed are still here.

(The Blue Cats by Goody Feed) Many people often confuse the Hungry Ghost Festival with the start of the seventh month in the lunisolar calendar, but they’re not the same.

The seventh month, beginning on August 23, 2025, is known as Ghost Month. During this period, it is believed that the Gates of Hell and Heaven open, allowing restless spirits to enter the human world.

However, not all of these spirits are “hungry ghosts” (petas or pretas). The term usually refers to those who passed away tragically or without proper funerary rituals, while many others are thought to simply visit their loved ones.

Hungry Ghosts of Buddhism: How to Become One | Japanese Buddhist Lore

Hungry Ghost Festival: A Guide to exploring cultural riches

Addiction is entrance to Realm of Hungry Ghosts

Tradition holds that offerings are made to appease these spirits, but most people only make offerings on the first day of Ghost Month and then forget.

• The hungry ghost inside us | Dr. Gabor Mate | What really causes addiction
• Petavatthu: Ancient Hungry Ghost Stories
• Gods of Death across mythology and folklore

As the days pass, the neglected spirits are said to grow hungrier and angrier. By the 15th day, their hunger supposedly reaches its peak, which is why this day is considered the Hungry Ghost Festival.

This explains why offerings on the 15th day are so important. The Hungry Ghost Festival, then, is not the entire month but just that one crucial day.

For 2025, this falls on September 6, the 15th day of Ghost Month. Some groups, particularly Chinese Cantonese-speaking communities, choose to make offerings on the 14th instead.

Are WE in the Hungry Ghost Realm?

Due to karma, we are all reborn

Are ghosts real? Why fear ghosts? The Spirit World in Buddhism

This is partly because the number four sounds like “death” in Cantonese and Mandarin, making the 14th symbolically significant. Another explanation comes from old timekeeping systems where the hours from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am spanned two days, meaning some regarded the 14th as the proper day.

Business enquiries: business.thebluecats.com.sg. The Blue Cats' Instagram: singaporethebluecats

How can I transfer merit to benefit the dead?

The possibility of merit transfer became widely known by the story Mulian Rescues His Mother

.

There are many Buddhist hells.

Transferring a gift of merit (Sanskrit pariṇāmanā, Pali pattidāna or pattānumodanā) is a standard part of Theravada Buddhist spiritual discipline.

The Buddhist practitioner's merit, resulting from wholesome deeds, is transferred to deceased relatives (the grateful dead), to deities (devas), or to ALL sentient beings.

Such a "transfer" is done ritually and mentally, and it is believed that the recipient (the ghost, the deceased person) can often receive this merit, if that recipient rejoices in the meritorious acts of the person doing the transferring.

In Buddhism, merit transfer (sending beneficial karma) is seen as a much better alternative to mourning.

Pouring overflowing water in ceremony

Scholars have discussed how the doctrine of transfer of merit can be reconciled with the individual nature of karma in Buddhism.

[How can it work? Everyone's karma is one's own. The giver generates skillful karma by giving with the intention to give, which gives the recipient the chance to share in that good karma by rejoicing (pattanumo) over such kindness, compassion, and giving (dana).] More: Transfer of merit

• I met a real ghost at Hungry Ghost Festival Singapore
• The Hungry Ghost Festival, Malaysia (OlivetaroDay)
• Dr. Gabor Mate, MD | What really causes addiction?
• Explore 65 - Explore Singapore: How much do Singaporeans know? What are the observances (superstitions) around Ghost Month?
• The Realm of Hungry Ghosts with Dr. Tara Brach
• VIDEO: Is this the oldest known burial site that doesn’t belong to humans but to Homo naledi?
• Confucianism regards the social customs of China
• LA Chinatown Hungry Ghost Festival; The Blue Cats by Goody Feed, 9/26/25; Olive Taroday (photos); Dodo Explorers; ReligionForBreakfast; July T (Chinatown and Beyond) via Soul Rebel Radio KPFK Public Radio, 9/22/25 (7:00 pm); CC Liu, Crystal Q., Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Pope visits Buddhist Asia, Singapore

Isn't it time for a change, Singapore?

Why would the Vatican CEO, the King of the Holy See, the ruler of the Catholic Church pontiff visit a tiny minority of Catholics in Buddhist Singapore and Asia in general? Just as when he visited a tiny community in Mongolia, it's strategic, sticking it to neighboring China, which the Church craves to enter and dominate. (The Han Chinese rulers caught on and will not allow a church organization in unless they can join in the ruling of the population, and Rome does not share power).

• Pope Francis (aka Captain Obvious) tells Americans who they should vote for this year
• Pope urges Catholic voters to 'choose the lesser evil' between Trump and Harris (FOX via MSN)
• VIDEO: Nature: Pope, Hitler, Biden, Kamala, Pelosi

The BBC provided great reportage about the Holy Father's visit to Singapore's National Stadium to give a mass to an audience of 50,000, noting the "rock concert" atmosphere of the event as if Pope Swift, aka Holy Taylor, were coming to town to play a show and driving everyone kray-kray, full loco. It's a boring mass, for God's sakes. Even the Lord drifts off when the officiant goes long. But average earthlings (basic people) love ritual, love ceremony, love pomp and circumstance. It's the way to rule an empire. Ask Hitler and his PR team, the Nazis. No one threw a better parade and rally, try as MAGA might.

This may go long, but it will help your devotional feel to have some patience and awe.

Supernatural: Taoist on Hungry Ghost Festival

Eugene Tay, Wel Wei, Supernatural Confessions 7/2922; CC Liu, Crystal Q. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Young female Taoist practitioner's view on 7th month Hungry Ghost Festival

(Supernatural Confessions) Wel Wei is part of the next generation of spiritual practitioners. She's taking over from her father, Yeo Chin Nam, giving their traditional Taoist temple a more accessible and vibrant feel for what is otherwise regarded as a scary time, at least for those who do not know about their faith.

This interview took place at Ji Zheng Gong Temple, 15 Lorong 21A Geylang, Singapore. Besides sharing her views about her relationship with ghosts and the 7th month Hungry Ghost Festival, Wel Wei also shares a frightening time in her life when she first discovered she had supernatural gifts.

• More stories and discussion: supernaturalconfessions.com
• Listen to podcast on Spotify or Apple
• Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/supernatural...
• Facebook page: facebook.com/supernatural...
• Instagram, YouTube Channel

ABOUT: Eugene Tay is the host and originator of the Supernatural Confessions series. He started this channel for others like him who are unfortunate enough to have had supernatural encounters to share their experiences.

Fight over Goddess of Mercy Kwan Yin

Tim Binnall (Coast to Coast, 9/28/22; CC Liu, Pfc. Sandoval, S. Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

City of 10,000 Buddhas: Kwan Yin Bodhisattva, Guanyin O=Pusa (cttbusa.org)

Be kind to nonbelievers.

In a strange story out of Singapore, a man who thought he saw a Buddhist deity [Kwan Yin] wound up fighting a skeptical bystander who couldn't spot the suspected apparition.

The odd incident is reported as follows: It occurred when Philip Ong Guo Xiong and his wife noticed something unusual in the sky, which they believed to be a vision of Kwan Yin (Guan Yin), a figure revered in Mahayana Buddhism as the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion.

She's a Queen of Heaven

While the pair were snapping pictures of the strange vision, they were approached by a curious delivery driver passing by wondering what the couple was photographing.

On being told of the deity (celestial devi) they saw in the sky, the man also tried to capture it with his camera, which is when things went wildly awry.

Looking at his images, the delivery driver failed to see any sign of Kwan Yin in them nor did he recognize the deity in the sky overhead.

Biology of Belief (Dr. Lipton)

Suspecting that he was being misled, he accused Mr. Xiong of being some kind of scam artist and began taking photos of the couple, which they did not appreciate.

This led tempers to flare between the two men. Then the delivery diver challenged Mr. Xiong to a fight. Xiong responded by shoving the man, which sent him tumbling onto a stone bench.

Clearly, if the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion had truly appeared in the sky that day, her message of compassion and mercy was lost on the two men as Xiong was subsequently arrested for assault after a witness to the altercation called the police. More: channelnewsasia.com

Guan Yin Bodhisattva Goddess of Compassion (Nations Online)

The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, and Miracles (Audible Audio Edition): Dr. Bruce H. Lipton PhD, Mr. Jeffrey Hedquist

Billie Eilish new music: Cloud Forest (video)

Finneas and Billie Eilish; Sheldon S., Crystal Q., CC Liu, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Who's this hot has-been impostor trying to look like Billie with makeup and lips? (Paris Hilton)

Billie Eilish (live from Cloud Forest, Singapore)

(Billie Eilish) Sept. 21, 2022. Listen to Guitar Songs, the new album by Billie "Pirate" Eilish and producer-brother Finneas, out now (BillieEilish.lnk.to/GuitarSongs). Here are "The 30th" and "TV," both of which were released today.

Sex sells, but who's buying? Wonder why the world loves Billie. Great lungs or is it Finneas?

Don't judge me on my looks. I have body image issues. Karma's a bitch...and a blessing, too.

#1 Hit: "Crazy Rich Asians" (video)

CC Liu, Crystal Quintero (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon; Late Night Jimmy Kimmel; KPCC FM (SCPR.org) Awkwafina; Ken Jeong, Shaquille O'Neal

We were so excited for this movie, thinking it would be a zoomed in look at life in the SGV (San Gabriel Valley), the lesser eastern valley of suburban Los Angeles with more Asians than most capitals in Asia. But this is just "chick porn" waiting-for-Prince-Charming nonsense. Girls, still waiting for the frog to become charming and whisk you off to his castle on his white horse/Italian sports car? Give us a break, Hollywood. Constance Wu, Awkwafina, Henry Golding? Thank you but you can do much better than this. How about more Fresh Off the Boat episodes or

Sure it's a minor diversion but a dangerous contribution to the status quo, as if the princess never thinks how all this money is made on the backs of the 99.99%. Every girl wants to live in a castle with servants and slaves and subjects...until she realizes it's a a capitalist wet dream we're all fed. We're not complaining that loudly because at least Hollywood finally noticed that Asians exist and now maybe some will be added at the dismal rates other non-black ethnicities, who currently represent not just black but all "others."

BUT CAN THEY RAP? "My Vag," 626, Rap Battle

Awkwafina has her big moment in Crazy Rich Asians
— How she started on YouTube
James Kim (SCPR.org, Arts & Entertainment on August 17, 2018)

A recent study by USC found that only 4.8 percent of Asians have speaking roles in film.

That percentage is actually lower than the previous year, when Asian actors had 5.6 percent of speaking roles.

 
While that report was published before the debut of Crazy Rich Asians -- the first studio film to feature an all-Asian cast since The Joy Luck Club 25 years ago -- it's safe to say that Asians are overlooked at the movies. But there's one outlet where the community is thriving: YouTube.

Nora Lum, who goes by Awkwafina, started to gain a fanbase on YouTube a few years ago before landing a role in Crazy Rich Asians and starring alongside Rihanna and Sandra Bullock in Ocean's Eight.
 
"I was able to do well in the beginning because it was such a foreign thing to see someone that's out there who's being relatable, and the Asian American isn't a selling point... More

5 Things to Know about Vesak Day

Dinah Amira Nordin (sg.theasianparent.com); Ananda M., Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Vesak observes three important events in the Buddha's life: birth, enlightenment, nirvana

How much do you really understand about Vesak Day ["Buddhist Xmas"]?

Here are some facts that many may not know about this massive annual Buddhist celebration.

A day of joy, peace, and reflection, Vesak is observed by Buddhists around the world.

However, it is traditionally celebrated by Buddhists in Singapore, India, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other Southeast Asian countries.

 

Here are five things about Vesak Day you probably don’t know:

 

Inner peace and reflection are important components of Vesak Day celebrations

1. Vesak is the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar

Vesak day is the most important date in the Buddhist lunar calendar. It celebrates three major events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, his attainment of Enlightenment, and his passing into Nirvana. According to Buddhist scriptures, each of these occurred on a full moon in the lunar month of Vesak. 

2. Doing good deeds is an essential part of the celebrations

On Vesak Day, Buddhists reaffirm their commitment to living a moral and compassionate lifestyle; many of them believe that performing good deeds on this particular day will multiply merit many times over.

On this day, vegetarian meals are consumed and caged birds and other animals are released as a symbolic gesture of compassion. Showing kindness to those less fortunate than yourselves through acts of sharing food, blood donations, etc. are also part of the celebration. Good deeds like these, whether by individuals or temples, are known as "Dana."

 

Many Buddhists head to the temple to join others in a day of chanting and meditating.

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3. Mahayana and Theravada Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day differently

The majority of Chinese Buddhists in Singapore are Mahayana Buddhists.

Mahayana temples, such as Phor Kark See Temple on Bright Hill Road, practice the "three-step, one-bow" ritual on Vesak Day, where devotees take three steps on both knees, bowing at every third step as they pray for world peace, personal blessings, and repentance.
 
Theravada Buddhists, mainly comprised of Singapore's Burmese, Thai and Sri Lankan communities, rejoice at the Burmese Buddhist Temple at Geylang and the Sri Lankaramaya Temple on St. Michael's Road, respectively. Vesak celebrations include the ritual of preparing a pot of rich rice in coconut milk, reminiscent of the Buddha's last meal before his great enlightenment.
 

Often there are processions and celebrations to mark Vesak Day

4. Anyone can join the celebrations

You don't have to be a Buddhist to celebrate Vesak. Head towards Singapore's oldest Buddhist temple on Lian Shan Shuang Lin or the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in the heart of Chinatown to observe the day.

5. Vesak Day in Singapore was only made an official public holiday in 1955
After World War II, the Singapore Buddhist Association led the petition to make Vesak Day an official public holiday.

Subsequently, this significant day for Buddhists was made an official public holiday in Singapore in 1955. Since Vesak is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, the date on which it is celebrated changes from year to year, usually falling in the month of May or early June.

Dharma Meditation Initiative is celebrating all month, including May 13, 2018

• References: yoursingapore.com, vesaksingapore.org. The Asian Parent wishes all Buddhist readers a very happy and blessed Vesak Day!