The revival of bhikshuni ordination in Vajrayana Buddhism
The 17th Karmapa’s 2022 Arya Kshema teachings shed light on the historical significance of the full ordination of women (bhikshunis) in the Mulasarvastivada Vinaya (MSV), a body of Buddhist law followed by Vajrayana schools.
The Karmapa’s advocacy for bhikshuni ordination, supported by historical evidence of ordained bhiksunis in Tibet, challenges the notion propagated by some Gelug leaders, including the Dalai Lama, that such ordinations never occurred in Tibet.
Adele Tomlin’s research further illuminates the disappearance of bhikshunis in Tibet following the Gelug school’s ascendancy, prompting a reevaluation of the possibility of reinstating bhikshuni ordination.
Carola Roloff’s 2020 study, funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, provided an academic basis for Bhutan’s historic decision to reinstate the Vajrayana bhikshuni lineage, culminating in a monumental ordination ceremony in 2022.
Bhutan’s role as a constitutional Buddhist monarchy facilitated this historic event, with the Je Khenpo’s decision supported by the king and queen.
The institutional MSV Bhikshuni Sangha, established in Bhutan, has empowered women to ordain according to canonical law, marking a significant milestone in Vajrayana Buddhism.
Despite unforeseen circumstances delaying the 2nd Bhikshuni Ordination in Bhutan, the resurgence of bhikshuni ordination is evident in initiatives such as the growing number of geshemas and khenmos.
Additionally, the Drikung Kagyu lineage’s international bhikshuni varsa in Sravasti, India, symbolized a homecoming for female monastic practice after centuries of absence.
The contemporary bhikshuni sangha, supported by gelongma, togdenma, geshemas, and khenmo, stands on stable foundations, poised to bring about positive change in the modern era.
The revival of bhikshuni ordination in Vajrayana Buddhism represents a significant step towards gender equality and the empowerment of women within Buddhist communities worldwide.
