our work
Aims and Achievements
Sakyadhita: A Global Coalition of Buddhist Women
Since 1987, Sakyadhita: International Association of Buddhist Women has been working to benefit Buddhist women around the world. Established at the conclusion of the 1st Sakyadhita Conference in Bodhgaya, India, in 1987, the organization has almost 2000 members and friends in 45 countries around the world. Every two years an international conference is held to bring laywomen and nuns from different countries and traditions together to share their experiences and encourage projects to improve conditions for Buddhist women, especially in developing countries. The 12th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women was held in Bangkok, Thailand in June 2011. The next conference is scheduled for early January 2013, in Vaishali, Bihar, India, where the Buddha's aunt/stepmother Mahapajapati Gotami became the first woman to receive ordination.
National and local branches of Sakyadhita have been created in many countries, enabling women to network and initiate projects locally and globally. The Sakyadhita newsletter keeps members up-to-date on events, publications, and new projects. This website provides information on Buddhist women and a forum for sharing research, ideas, and experiences. A series of publications is helping recover Buddhist women's history and document their lives and contributions. Together Buddhist women are cooperating to realize their tremendous potential for social and spiritual transformation.
Working at the grassroots level, Sakyadhita provides a communications network among Buddhist women internationally. The organization promotes research and publications on Buddhist women's history and other topics of interest. It supports Buddhist women's initiatives to create education projects, retreat facilities, training centers, women's shelters, and local conferences and discussion groups. Members strive to create equal opportunities for women in all Buddhist traditions. The goal is to empower the world's 300 million Buddhist women to work for peace and social justice.
Achievements: Conferences
Sakyadhita International Conferences 1987-2011
Sakyadhita National Conferences
Achievements: Publications
Visit the Publications page.
Sakyadhita Projects
Visit the Jamyang website.