Karma Lekshe Tsomo President of Sakyadhita International Co-President of 8th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women

On behalf of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Buddhist nuns, monks, laywomen, laymen, and followers of all faiths from all countries throughout the world to join us at this historic gathering - the 8th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women.

We are greatly honored and delighted that the 8th Sakyadhita Conference on Buddhist Women will take place in Seoul, Korea, this year. In view of the fact that the Korean Bhikkhuni Sangha and Korean Buddhist laywomen have distinguished themselves in Buddhist studies, Dharma propagation, and social service, it is entirely appropriate that this year's conference be held in Seoul to bring their great accomplishments to the attention of the international community.

On behalf of its members and Buddhist women around the world, the Executive Committee of Sakyadhita: International Association of Buddhist Women would like to express its hearty congratulations and sincere appreciation to Venerable Kwangwoo, Venerable Myeong Seong, the Korean Bhikkhuni Association, the members of the Korean Planning Committee, and everyone who is contributing their energies and resources to make this conference a great success. With your blessings and support, we feel confident that this 8th Sakyadhita Conference will bring great benefit to Buddhist women throughout the world and, through their efforts, to the whole human family.

Sarvam mangalam [may all beings be happy],
Karma Lekshe Tsomo
President, Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women

Venerable Bhiksunis and Buddhist women, venerable Bhiksus and Buddhist men,

I would like to warmly invite all of you to the 8th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women. As daughters of the Noble Buddha, Buddhist women became devout practitioners. Some played important roles as laywomen and some embraced the renunciant life soon after the Buddha established the order. According to textual records, the Noble Buddha praised not only bhiksus, but also bhiksunis, and treated female disciples the same as he did male disciples.

Words are inadequate to describe how Buddhist women, in character with the Noble Buddha's principle of equality, have maintained Korean Buddhism for 1700 years now. Without the diligent practice of Buddhist women during the terrible 500-year period of Yi dynasty rule, Buddhism would have disappeared in Korean peninsular. Today, Buddhist women play central roles in preserving the Buddhadharma in each temple. Buddhist laywomen make important contributions alongside bhiksus and bhiksunis. The Jogye order has addressed the needs of times by founding the Institute for Development of Buddhist Women and praises Buddhist women's work in preserving the Buddhadharma by honoring 108 excellent Buddhist women.

In this atmosphere, the National Bhiksuni Assembly of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order will hold the 8th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women. It is preparing for this conference whole-heartedly. Last summer the National Bhiksuni Assembly completed a Bhiksuni Assembly Hall -a long- cherished wish. Since establishing this new assembly hall, we have been planning ways to make this hall a primary place for practice.

The 8th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women in Korea in 2004 is a truly important event. This conference will be a meeting where bhiksunis and Buddhist women from all over the world can gather and uphold the egalitarian teachings of the Buddhadharma. Further, this conference will empower Buddhist women to practice compassion.

Today the whole world is suffering due to war, injustices, and self-centered prejudices. The teaching of the Buddha is a lamp to light the way in the midst of darkness. It is time for Buddhist women to hold this lamp aloft. Buddhist women are no longer the objects of oppression and discrimination. Please affirm the great teaching of the Noble Buddha and, as a true Buddhist, make a resolution with the same strong mind and effort that enabled Korean Buddhist women to preserve the Dharma for 1700 years.

With this great resolution, I cordially invite Buddhist women and men from all over the world to attend the 8th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women. May the light of compassion of the Noble Buddha extend to all of you!

Venerable Myongsong
President of the National Bhiksuni Assembly
Korean Buddhist Jogye Order
Co-President of 8th Sakyadhita International
Conference on Buddhist Women