News and Events
Sakyadhita Canada’s lunar letter is available: RESOURCES.
If you're in the Hamilton, Ontario area, Thich nu Tinh Quang's Winter Schedule is at www.zenbuddhistnun.blogspot.com.
when upon reflection no remorse arises:
with joy one harvests its fruits.
About SakyadhitaCanada
Welcome to Sakyadhita Canada—A newly formed official branch of Sakyadhita International.
The word “Sakyadhita” translates as “Daughters of the Buddha.” Sakyadhita International is an International Association of Buddhist Women formed in 1987. Its primary purpose is to promote world peace through the practice of the Buddha’s teaching. Sakyadhita International is an alliance of women and men whose goal it is to empower the world’s 300 million Buddhist women to work for peace and social justice and to advance their spiritual and secular life.
For more information on Sakyadhita International visit the SI website at:
www.sakyadhita.org
Shirley “Jayanta” Johannesen of Calgary, Alberta, was asked by the late Ayya Khema (one of the founding members of Sakyadhita) in 1987 to be the Canadian representative of Sakyadhita. Jayanta accepted the position and has been involved in many aspects of the Canadian branch activities, as well as in the international organization. She has volunteered her time at international conferences, given presentations, led workshops and guided meditations. In 1991, as part of SI, she formed the Calgary Dharma Women’s Forum, a support group of women from all Buddhist traditions. As Buddhist values were put into action in the local communities, participants' leadership skills were developed and networking was extended to other Buddhist women both in Canada and internationally.
In recent years, Sakyadhita International has taken a step forward in strengthening and formalizing its worldwide network and requested Jayanta to coordinate the development and the incorporation of Sakyadhita Canada. Sakyadhita Canada is now the official Canadian branch as well as a member of Sakyadhita International. The SC board of directors is extremely excited about the possibilities and potentialities of organizing Canadian women across all Buddhist traditions.
Sakyadhita Canada's Mission
- To establish an alliance of ordained and lay Buddhist women in Canada
- To create a network of communication for Canadian Buddhist women
- To support the establishment of Canadian chapters of Sakyadhita Canada
- To support the objectives of Sakyadhita International
- To promote harmony and dialogue among all Buddhist traditions and other religions
- To encourage research and publication on topics of interest to Buddhist women
- To foster compassionate social action for the benefit of humanity
- To promote world peace and harmony through the teachings of the Buddha
Sakyadhita Canada's Representatives
Current Board of Directors
- President
Shirley Johannesen (Jayanta) - Vice President
Barbara Downie - Treasurer
Bena Patel - Secretary
Olivier Fuldauer - Fund Raising/Dana
Susan Pesut - Member at Large
Ja Eun Sumin
Leslie Brown
Patricia Galaczy
Sister Thich nu Tinh Quang