America tortured orphans, cathedrals heal

(Buried Century) Cathar gives us "cathedral" and catharsis

(Erased Century)

A teaching for the Buddha's mother

For the Buddha so loved the mother who raised him that he made her the first Buddhist nun.

Thus have I heard. One day the Blessed One (the Buddha) was staying in Vesali, in the Hall with the Peaked Roof in the Great Forest.

[His foster mother, the Scythian/Shakyian former queen, the sister of his biological mother and second wife of his father, the world's first Buddhist nun] Maha Pajapati Gotami went to the Blessed One, bowed, stood respectfully to one side, and said:

"Venerable sir, it would be good if the Blessed One were to teach me the Doctrine (Dhamma) in brief so that, having heard it from the Blessed One, I might dwell apart, secluded, heedful, ardent, and resolute [withdrawn into calm-and-insight meditation]."

"Gotami, qualities of which it may be said, 'These qualities lead to

• passion rather than dispassion,
• fetters rather than being free,
• accumulating rather than letting go,
• self-aggrandizement rather than modesty,
• discontentedness rather than contentment,
• entanglements rather than seclusion,
• laziness rather than perseverance,
• [indolence rather than persistence,]
• being burdened rather than being unburdened,'

"you may categorically maintain, 'This is not the Doctrine, this is not the Training (Discipline), this is not the Teacher's instruction.'

"As for the [opposite qualities], you may categorically maintain: 'This is the Doctrine, this is the Training [Discipline], this is the Teacher's instruction.'"

That is what the Buddha said. Gratified, Maha Pajapati Gotami rejoiced in his words.

• 
  

Contentment

Satthusasana Sutta: "Contentment Discourse (to Upali)," The Teacher's Instruction

Scythians lived in peace thanks to him

Venerable Upali went to the Blessed One, bowed, sat respectfully to one side, and said: "Venerable sir, it would be good if the Blessed One were to teach me the Doctrine in brief so that, having heard it from the Blessed One, I might dwell apart, secluded, heedful, ardent, and resolute."

"Upali, those qualities of which it may be said, 'These things do not lead to complete:

• disenchantment,
• dispassion,
• cessation,
• calm,
• direct knowledge,
• awakening, nor to
• nirvana,'

"you may categorically maintain, 'This is not the Doctrine, this is not the Training, this is not the Teacher's instruction.'

"As for the qualities of which [the opposite may be said], you may categorically maintain, 'This is the Doctrine, this is the Training, this is the Teacher's instruction.'"

• See also: AN 8.53; SN 56.11; MN 72
• Initial steps of the Buddha's training: sikkhāpada
• Dhammapada chapter on sukha: Happiness
• Nibbidā, finding disenchantment – Dharma PhD
• Contemplation on disinterestedness regarding worldly things
• Freedom through letting go (internal renunciation)
• Upāli Sutras (from the Pali canon)
• Edited by Dhr. Seven based on translations by Ven. Thanissaro, Gotami Sutta (AN 8.53 PTS: A iv 280), Satthusasana Sutta (AN 7.79 PTS: A iv 143), Wisdom Quarterly

Greatest Jewish convert: Marilyn Monroe

Adz; Sheldon S., Shauna, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, converted to Jewish atheism

I would do anything to become an American sex symbol and finally be loved, Daddy.

I'm an LA girl from an LA world.

Marilyn Monroe was born in Los Angeles, living in 12 foster homes and an orphanage, getting married at 16 to escape all that. She divorced then dated gaunt, Jewish, nebbish writer Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman) and identified with Jewish people as a "dispossessed group."

She got engaged to Miller and wanted to convert to Judaism to make herself part of Miller's family [206]. She was instructed by Rabbi Robert Goldberg and converted on July 1, 1956 [205].

However pretty our food, it comes out the same.

Monroe's interest in Judaism as a religion was limited: She called herself a "Jewish atheist" and did not practice the faith after divorcing Miller, though she did retain some religious items [205].

Egypt lifted her ban after her divorce was finalized in 1961 [205]. Then she married baseball star and Italian Catholic Joe DiMaggio.

She's Catholic. Don't let anyone tell you different, like my sainted mother.

First Annual Int'l Buddhist Nuns' Day

Susan Pembroke (firstgiving.com/allianceforbhikkhunis) with Wisdom Quarterly

Participate in the First Annual International Bhikkhuni Day:

• September 17, 2011

WHAT is it? The first IBD is a global, grassroots effort devoted to honoring Mahapajapati Gotami, the founder of the Nuns' Sangha. It also honors all of ou

r spiritual mothers -- ordained women, laywomen teachers who have transformed our practice, inspiring historical figures, actual mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and cousins -- any woman who has brought out the best in us.

This day celebrates our spiritual legacy. It is a chance to learn about the history of prominent Buddhist women, and it is also an opportunity to raise funds to support nuns (bhikkhunis).

HOW do we accomplish these things? We simply gather in a circle, meditate together, and talk about the women we love and admire. The gathering can take place anywhere -- in a temple, center, or your living room or backyard.

• Access materials from the Alliance for Bhikkhunis (AfB) site and invite fellow practitioners to join in on a day of meditation, reflection, and learning.

AfB’s home page (bhikkhuni.net) has Dharma talks and downloadable handouts which can be printed and used to lead group discussions. Feel free to adapt and revise the materials in ways that make them more meaningful to individual communities.

Mahajapati Tells Her Story

Excerpt from bhikkhuni.net

“I can never forget the moment I was told [my son] Siddhartha had left the palace. At first I could not believe it. I was in shock. It was as though time had stopped. The sobbing Yasodhara [his wife] had to repeat herself over and over until I could accept that Siddhartha was serious about his leave taking. My son, my handsome, good hearted son was gone. I never thought of him as my stepson, or even nephew. He was my son. I nursed him. I mothered him. He was my boy. Sometimes his leaving made sense, other times it remained incomprehensible. It upset me that he was in turmoil yet could not confide in me. When did this breach between us happen? How did I fail to notice that Siddhartha was no longer a part of us? But, upon reflection, I began recalling comments he had made and subtle ways he revealed a growing disenchantment with our way of life. In hindsight, I could point to moments that foretold his departure.”

• GROUP USE: her story as the first Buddhist nun in history can be printed and passed around a circle. Each person can read a paragraph or so in the midst of deep listening, opening the floor to sharing comments and reactions. A list of questions appears at the end of the narrative, making it easy for anyone to facilitate a conversation about the remarkable founder of the Bhikkhuni Sangha.

Honoring Our Women Teachers
Excerpt from bhikkhuni.net

“What woman in your life was your first spiritual teacher? What woman brought out the best in you? It could be your mother or could be another woman, a grandmother, an aunt, older sister, or teacher. Can you tell a story or two about her which captures her personality and conveys how she touched your life and the lives of others? Were there other women who impacted your spiritual development as well? If so, who are they and how were they pivotal? Mahapajapati advocated for the vulnerable women who fell under her protection. Has any compassionate, strong woman been an advocate for you, protected you? If so, how? Perhaps the people who mothered and nourished you were men -- your father, grandfather, brother or uncle? Can you speak about their kindness, tenderness, love, and belief in you?”

Fund Raising

Contact Susan Pembroke to share news of participation. She is happy to answer any questions. Use Firstgiving to raise funds for this meditation pledge-a-thon. I'm delighted to help anyone create his or her own Firstgiving page. With a page for your team, ask family and friends to support your day of honoring women spiritual leaders. Even 10-20 people who sponsor this day of meditating and pledge $5 to $25 can produce great good, with hundreds of people joining the effort, connecting us all on this sacred day.

Let us know which nuns' abbey (bhikkhuni vihara) should receive your pledges. What is raised will be disbursed to nuns. This is NOT a fundraiser for the Alliance for Bhikkhunis.

Temples and Centers

International Bhikkhuni Day can be an annual fundraiser for temples or centers. Let's brainstorm ways to help raise funds following the meditation pledge-a-thon through silent auctions, arts and crafts sales, admission to a dinner and film, as well as other ideas that can be translated into enjoyable community-building and fundraising events.

Every September is for honoring female spiritual luminaries and chronicling their stories. We vow to protect women monastics and their essential role in preserving the Dharma. Telling their stories is an indispensable part of accomplishing these goals.

Free ENCORE Webcast: "Weenie Roast"

(WEENIE ROAST) This modern rock concert features:

Monday, June 6 SET TIMES

Side Stage
2:00pm Young The Giant
2:40pm Foster The People*
3:20pm Airborne Toxic Event
4:00pm Neon Trees

Main Stage
5:15pm Face To Face
5:45pm A Day To Remember
6:15pm Cage The Elephant
6:50pm Bad Religion*
7:30pm The Strokes
8:10pm Rise Against*
9:30pm Linkin Park*

Notable Buddhist Nuns

Reuters photo of Burmese nuns and novices Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon, Myanmar (abc.net.au)

Buddhist Women's Stories

Mountain Source Sangha (MTSource.org)

We deeply honor the ancestral teachers, who transmitted the Dharma to us through their efforts. We chant their names. The names on the list -- which goes back through Shakyamuni Buddha, Bodhidharma, and Dogen -- all happen to be males. Now we also honor the many other teachers in each generation who helped sustain the teaching and practice. This list includes women from India, China, Japan, and America, both ordained and laywomen, who have been inspirational to our practice tradition. Here is a little about their stories.
A universal Buddhist blessing by Ven. Suddhamma (Carolina Buddhist Vihara, USA)

Mahaprajapati
Shakyamuni's aunt and foster mother, Mahaprajapati challenged Shakyamuni's exclusion of women from the monastic order and won women the right of ordination. She became the founder and a leader of the nun's sangha, and was considered chief among women disciples who were nuns of long standing.

Maya
Maya was Shakyamuni's mother, who died giving birth to him. Some of the sutras are addressed to her in the heavenly realm where she abides. She is also the 41st teacher of the 52 visited by the pilgrim Sudhana in the Gandavyuha Sutra.

Khema (Sariputra's counterpart, female disciple "foremost in wisdom")
She was known as "Khema of Great Wisdom," because she grasped the Buddha's entire teaching on first hearing it as a laywoman. She helped run the women's monastic order and is named as the most exemplary nun in the Pali Canon.

Uppalavanna (Maha Moggallana's counterpart, female disciple "foremost in magical powers")
She willingly took ordination at her father's suggestion, and then was raped by an angry suitor. Due to this incident the Vinaya was changed to forbid women from solitary forest practice for their protection. She became foremost in magical power and performed miracles.

Tibetan Buddhist nun circumambulating shrine in Barkhor, Lhasa (azfoto.com)

Patacara
After her children, parents, and husband died, she went mad from grief and wandered the countryside. Eventually she met the Buddha, who calmly told her to recover her presence of mind, and thus she was cured. She became a highly influential teacher who brought many women to the Dharma and had many disciples.

Dhammadinna
She was called the greatest woman preacher, who converted many people and became the master of many disciples and heirs. Shakyamuni declared her words to be buddhavacana, Buddha words.

Sundarinanda
Shakyamuni's half-sister, she was considered the most beautiful woman in her country; sundari means "beautiful." She joined the nun's order originally because all of her relatives were joining: her mother, Mahaprajapati; her brother, Nanda; and Shakyamuni's son, Rahula. Shakyamuni declared her to be foremost among the nuns in meditative powers.

Soma
The daughter of the minister of King Bimbisara, she became a lay disciple upon hearing Shakyamuni preach on a visit he made to Rajagraha early in his teaching career. She was later ordained as a nun and eventually became an arhat, declared by Shakyamuni to be foremost among the nuns who strive energetically.

Sakula
She came from Savatthi, where a Buddhist monastery was established in Jeta Grove. The dedication ceremony lasted nine months, during which time she decided to become a lay disciple. She was still uneasy about her life, but decided to become a nun after hearing an enlightened monk speak. She later became an arhat, and was declared by Shakyamuni to be foremost among the nuns possessing the power of the "eye of heaven," the ability to see into all worlds, near or far.

The nun Sanghamitta who brought the female Sangha out of India to Sri Lanka (Committee for Bhikkhunis)

Mural of bhikkhunis (nuns) on Thai temple wall (Alliance for Bhikkhunis)

Bhadda Kundalakesa
Bhadda was a Jain at the time of Shakyamuni. She was highly intelligent and felt dissatisfied by the lack of intellectual stimulation among the Jains, who seemed uninterested in understanding truth. She engaged in dialogue with Shariputra and was praised by the community for her rapid thought and great understanding. She is the only nun to have been ordained by Shakyamuni calling her by name. Bhadda's wisdom poem includes, "Going out from my daytime resting-place on Mt. Grjhakuta, I saw the stainless Buddha, attended by the order of bhikkhus. Having bent the knee, having paid homage to him, I stood with cupped hands face to face with him. 'Come, Bhadda,' he said to me; that was my ordination."

Bhadda Kapilani
Ages ago in the time of Padumattara Buddha, Bhadda heard of a female renunciant who could recall her former lives. She determined to obtain that same power, and with her husband Kassapa (the later Mahakashyapa), she decided to live a life of austerity. Bhadda and Kassapa were married several more times in different lifetimes, including the one in which they met Shakyamuni, in which neither one of them wanted to marry, but were forced to by their parents. They agreed not to consummate the marriage, shaved each other's heads, donned saffron robes, and left home. Kassapa quickly met Shakyamuni and became a monk, but it was five years before Bhadda was able to join the newly-established order of nuns. She was declared by Shakyamuni to be foremost among the nuns who are able to remember past births.

Bhadda Kaccana Yasodhara
Yasodhara was Shakyamuni's wife. Although she wanted to join the order of nuns from the beginning, Mahaprajapati thought it would make establishing the order more difficult, so Yasodhara stayed behind. Later she was able to join the order and was declared foremost among the nuns who attained great supernormal powers.

American female novices ordaining in West Virginia (bhavanasociety.org)

Kisagotami
Kisagotami was Shakyamuni's cousin; however, she grew up in another household in poverty. She married a rich banker's son, but was mistreated by her husband's relatives until she had a child, whom she loved deeply. But the child died young and she went mad, carrying his corpse from house to house. The Buddha told her he would cure the child if she could find a mustard seed from a home that had never known death. When she realized this was impossible and that all beings suffered together, she became a nun. Shakyamuni declared her foremost among the nuns who wore coarse robes.

Singalaka mata
She was declared to be foremost among nuns who are released by faith.

Samavati
She was declared to be the most skilled in spreading metta among the nuns.

Shrimala
Shrimala was Queen of Kosala, daughter of King Prasenajit and Queen Mallika. She was hero of the sutra, The Lion's Roar of Queen Shrimala, named after her, one of the earliest Yogacara sutras. Therein, in response to Shakyamuni Buddha, Queen Shrimala proclaims ten vows and expounds the teaching of Buddha nature.

Prabhuta
Prabhuta was a beautiful young woman devotee who lived with 10,000 woman attendants in a large mansion is the center of the city of Samudrapratish-thana. She was the 13th teacher of the 52 visited by the pilgrim Sudhana in the Gandavyuha Sutra. (Twenty of the 52 teachers were women, including goddesses; a selection of these women is included among these women ancestors.) Prabhuta had as a vessel an enlightening liberation that was an inexhaustible treasury for manifesting goods. According to beings' wishes, she endlessly dispensed food, drink, couches, clothing, flowers, fragrances, jewels, and conveyances. She especially represented the practice of tolerance.

Australian Buddhist nuns and laywomen at Bhikkhuni Seminar 2008 (integrateful.net)

Sinha Vijurmbhita
Sinha vijurmbhita was a nun who sat on lion thrones under each of the many treasure trees in the splendorous Sunlight Park in Kalingavana. She was 24th teacher visited by the pilgrim Sudhana in the Gandavyuha Sutra. Under each tree she taught various groups, including gods and goddesses, birds, serpents, and bodhisattvas of diverse levels. She gave Mahayana teachings to those who had not heard them, and to those who had she offered specific different samadhi instructions.

Vasumitra
Vasumitra was an extraordinarily beautiful woman who lived in a jewel-encrusted house in the city of Ratnavyuha. Those who knew no better castigated her as a temptress. But for those of various types of beings who were attracted to her, she taught ultimate dispassion through physical contact, including holding hands, embracing, and kissing. She was the 25th teacher in the Gandavyuha Sutra to be visited by the pilgrim Sudhana, who was sent to her by the nun Sinha vijurmbhita.

Gopa
Gopa was a Shakyan girl in Kapilavastu who in a past life was the daughter of a courtesan, and vowed to always be practice companion to a prince, who later became Shakyamuni. Gopa was the 40th teacher visited by the pilgrim Sudhana in the Gandavyuha Sutra, and represents the 10th or ultimate stage of bodhisattva development. She taught Sudhana how to practice awareness of ultimate reality right in the midst of the world.

Korean Buddhist nuns (koreanbuddhism.net)

The list continues to grow. To see other prominent female names in the Zen tradition:

• Read more
• Buddhist nunnery in California (with links and photos)

Thai artist's rendition of the Buddha giving a discourse to the first Buddhist nun, his foster mother Mahaprajapati (circa 500 B.C.)