Sakyadhita.org

Sakyadhita.org is the website for the international association for Buddhist women. They promote women in Buddhism and the ordination of women to their choice of 8 precept or as fully ordained bhikkhunis.

Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women is an 501(c)3 non-profit organisation founded in 1987 at the conclusion of its first conference and registered in California, United States of America in 1988. Sakyadhita holds an international conference every two years; bringing together laypersons and nuns from different countries and traditions around the world.

The association was founded in 1988. Sakyadhita is an alliance of women and men founded at the conclusion of the first International Conference on Buddhist Women, held in Bodh Gaya, India, in 1987 where the 14th Dalai Lama was the keynote speaker. The term sakyadhita, means 'daughters of the Buddha' and was first used at the conference. The initiative for creating the association came from Ayya Khema, Karma Lekshe Tsomo, Chatsumarn Kabilsingh and Jampa Tsedroen. Currently, the international association, which has local chapters in several countries, has almost 2000 members in 45 countries around the world.

An international conference is held every two years. The conference brings together laypersons and nuns from different countries and traditions, to share their experiences, research, and to encourage projects to improve conditions for Buddhist women—especially in developing countries. Since 1987, Sakyadhita has held twelve international conferences on Buddhist women in Asia and three in North America. The conferences feature papers, workshops, and performances on topics relevant to Buddhist women. The global gatherings are open to all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion.