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This is the Time Programme for the 19th Sakyadhita Conference 2025, scheduled from 16th June 2025 to 20th June 2025, in Kuching at The Waterfront Hotel.
Explanatory Notes:
Morning Meditations
Each day of the conference will begin with an hour-long meditation session, offering participants an opportunity to centre themselves and cultivate mindfulness before the day’s events.
Meditations of the World
On the first day of the conference, 16 June, an extended meditation session will be led by renowned meditation practitioners. Spanning from 9 am to 2 pm, this session will provide a unique chance to experience diverse meditation practices from around the world.
Papers
The conference will feature presentations of scholarly papers aligned with the conference theme. Each session, lasting either 70 or 150 minutes, will be chaired by a moderator responsible for introducing the speakers and facilitating the discussion. Each presentation will run for 10-12 minutes, followed by an engaging Q&A session to foster interaction and exchange of ideas.
Workshops
Workshops will serve as a dynamic platform for participants to delve into hands-on learning and collaboration. Held in dedicated rooms conveniently located on the same floor as the main hall, these workshops, lasting 90 or 150 minutes each, encourage presenters to utilise various media, including videos and photos, to creatively communicate and interact with their audience.
Chanting
A serene chanting session will take place before dinner each evening, creating a reflective and harmonious atmosphere. This practice provides an opportunity for collective recitation and spiritual connection.
City Tour at Waterfront
Participants can enjoy a relaxed evening at the vibrant Kuching Waterfront, strolling along the scenic promenade and soaking in the stunning night views. A highlight of the evening is the Darul Hana Musical Fountain show, scheduled at 8:30 pm, offering a mesmerizing display of lights, music, and water choreography.
Dharma Talks
Evening Dharma talks, scheduled after dinner, will feature inspiring sessions led by esteemed Buddhist leaders from around the world. These talks will provide valuable insights and reflections on Buddhist teachings and practices.
Cultural Performance
On the fourth evening of the conference, participants will be treated to a vibrant cultural performance presented by the Kuching Buddhist Society’s Cultural and Dance teams, along with contributions from its Youth and Teen Sections. This event will celebrate the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of the host community.
Meditations of the World
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Ayya Sumangala
BIO: Ayya Sumangalā Therī is the abbess of Ariya Vihara Buddhist Society in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She embarked on her spiritual journey in Buddhism at the age of 19, inspired by the serene sight of a monk and people meditating. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, both from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and an M.A. in Philosophy (Buddhism) from the International Buddhist College Songkhla Province, Thailand.
Living Mindfully in Modern Times
Bhiksuni Tien Lien
BIO: Bhiksuni Thich Nu Tien Lien was born in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1966. She received novice ordination in 1983 and became a bhiksuni in 1985. She earned a B.A. and a Master’s in Social Work at San Diego State University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the University of the West. She is a lifetime member of Sakyadhita and currently serves as recording secretary.
Seon Meditation
Bhikkhuni Hyoseok Sunim
BIO: Bhikkhuni Hyoseok Sunim, “Korean Ganhwa Seon Meditation” Hyoseok Sunim teaches at Bongnyeongsa Sangha University in Korea and a Dharma teacher for the Youth University Student Dharma Group of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. She holds a PhD from Delhi University and is a certified instructor in Hatha Yoga and Laughter Yoga.
PAPER 1
Changing and Challenging Roles of Bhikkhunis in Sri Lanka
Kundasale Subhagya
The Changing Roles of Buddhist Women: Empowerment, Feminism, and Leadership
Loh Pai Ling
The Queerness of Buddha and Buddha Dharma
Tashi Choedup
The Development of Theravāda Bhikkhunīs in Indonesia: Progress Toward Gender Equality in Sangha Agung Indonesia
Julia Surya (Bhikkhuni Ṭhītācārinī Therī)
So That the Sun May Never Set: The Role of Monasticism in Sustaining the Buddhadharma
Thubten Lamsel
PAPER 2A
Bridging Tradition and Modernity: Myanmar Buddhist Nuns Engaging with the Contemporary World
Sayalay Santacari
On the Transformative Journey of Female Monastic in the Kingdom of Bhutan
Namgyel Lhamo
The Changing Roles of Leadership of Korean Bhikkhuni Sangha
Ilmoon Cho
Gratitude and Taking Initiative: Navigating Change as a Buddhist Woman in Transition
Sāmanerī Ariyā Dhammajīvī
PAPER 2B
Do Early Buddhist Notions of Women Endanger Male Celibacy?
Tran Thi Cam Van
Leadership and Governance: The Role of the Thai Nuns’ Organization in Education and Social Work
Punyaporn Saengkhum
Amid Changes in ‘Hip Buddhism’ in Korea, New Roles and Leadership of Female Lay Buddhists
Jin-sook Nam
Empowering Voices: The Evolution of Tibetan Buddhist Women in Leadership
Karma Tashi Choedron and Tenzin Dadon
PAPER 3
Healing Trauma through Sangha from East and West
Mia Livingston
Healing at the Crossroads: Integrating Buddhist Teachings, Mental Health Counseling, and Societal Oppression in Working with Domestic Violence Survivors
Thich Nu Lien Anh (Le Thi My Hieu) and Shannon Chang
Reflections on pilgrimage, research and coping with changes
Sandra Ng Siow San
Women and the Ritual of Sacralization and Commodification of Buddhist Amulets in Thailand
Amnuaypond Kidpromma
Bhikkhuni Dhammananda’s Life and Legacy on Women’s Empowerment and Modern Buddhism
Cindy Rasicot
PAPER 4A
In Her Footsteps: Celebrating the Multifaceted Legacy of Bhiksuni Dr. Shi Heng-Ching
Christie Chang
The Dharma Teacher Venerable Dhammawati
Shradda Gautami
The Master Of The Nuns Huỳnh Liên – The Beacon Of Vietnamese Khất Sĩ Buddhism In The Central Highlands
Thích Nữ Thường Huệ and Thích Thien Phu
Bhikshuni Dieu Khong: A Pillar of the Vietnamese Buddhist Nun Community in the 20th Century
Thich Thien Phu and Phan Thi An Phu
PAPER 4B
Buddhism and Sexual Abuse Across Cultures and Contexts
Karma Chodron, Tenzin Dadon, Ann Gleig, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg
PAPEP 5
Planting Seeds: Teaching Buddhist Values for Social Harmony to a Secular Generation in Interfaith Contexts
Malia D. Wong
Women Using Global Buddhist Networks to Leverage Better Outcomes for Animals
Catherine Schuetze
Female Veterinarians, Community Networks and Animal Welfare in a Traditional Buddhist Society
Diki Palmu Sherpa
From Making a “Vow” to Raising Children in a Buddhist Way: The Path and Progression in a Myanmar Buddhist Mother’s Religiosity
Rachelle Saruya
Building Education Through Temple Education Program: A Story in Countering Mobile Game Addiction and Moslem TPQ
Kustiani
From Monasticism to Modernity: Exploring the Lives of Former Himalayan Buddhist Nuns in Transition
Gendun Lhamu
PAPER 6A
The Dharma-Propagating Effort of Post-War Taiwanese Bhikṣuṇīs: Venerable Tian Yi, Tzu Hui, and Tzu Jung
Zhi Quan Shi
Nun of the Slum: Bodhichitta Foundation and its Barefoot Buddhism
Ayya Yeshe
Navigating Change – Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhist Women in Transition
Teena Amrit Gill
Vietnamese Buddhist Nuns: Constantly Innovative Methods of Dharma Preaching to the Youth
Thích Nữ Liên Hiền
Changing Roles of Buddhist Women Empowerment, Feminism and Leadership
Madhuri Krishna Kudwalkar
Coming together in Dialogue with the Broader World: Logics, Metaphysics, Cultures, and Practices of Gender
Alicehank Winham
PAPER 6B
Women and Buddhism: Decolonizing the Field and Amplifying Voices
Main Organiser: Emma Tomalin
Members: Sharon Suh, Eunsu Cho, Sarah Jacoby, Amy Langenberg, Darcie Price-Wallace
PAPER 7
Women Translating the Dharma
Sarah Harding read by Karma Lekshe Tsomo
Tracing Yaśodharā: Unfolding Her Identity in Buddhist Literature
Arun Kumar Yadav
The Role of Female Deities in Shaping Nepal Mandala Buddhist Traditions
Ursula Manandhar
Buddhist Japanese Women: Facing Centuries of Challenges
Kathy Uno
DHARMA TALKS
(1) Navigating Life Challenges by Living Skillfully by the Dhamma
Ayya Sumangala,
(2) Learning the Truth of Life Through the Avatamsaka Sutra
Bongak Sunim
WORKSHOP 1
The Importance of National Sakyadhita Organisations
Helen Richardson & Karma Lekshe Tsomo
A Knowledge Quiz/Game Show on Sakyadhita
Bhiksuni TN Gioi Huong
Holding Buddhist Organizations to Account
by Venerable Mettaji, Venerable Thubten Chokyi, Carol Merchasin, Tenku Ruff Osho
Bhikkhuni Dhammananda’s Life and Legacy: Buddhism through a Feminist Lens
Cindy Rasicot
Moon Jar Workshop Proposal (Korean)
Cheong-Sil Lee
What If AI were Sentient Being? The Womb of Femals Still Stand there?
Shu-Hui Tsai (Juyarn)
Sitting meditation: Finding Stability and Comfort
Jane Shamrock
WORKSHOP 2
Blossoming the Flower of Loving Kindness in the Mind and Heart
Bhkkhuni Kundasale Subhagya
Bodhicitta: Developing the Mind of Awakening
Karma Lekshe Tsomo
Recovering the Human Spirit : Which Realm of the six Samsara Are You in Right Now?
San Snim
Sacred Ink: A Writing Workshop
Brigid Lowry
Analytic Meditation: Steps to Generate Bodhicitta
Bhikshuni Thubten Lamsel and Bhikshuni Thubten Rinchen
Mutual Respect (Aññamaññagārava) within the Myanmar Nuns’ Community
Ven. Sudhammacari
Reading Poetry by Buddhist Women Across Traditions and Times
Xiaojuan Shu
WORKSHOP 3
Breathing Workshop
Debbie Azama-Park
Korea Tradtional Fork Art
Lee Hyun-ja
Mindful Writing Workshop
Sharon Thrupp
The Healing Power of Origami
Jun Hamamoto
Spreading the Dharma in a Digital World
Bhikshuni Thubten Lamsel and Bhikshuni Thubten Rinchen
Sakyadhita’s Legacy: Buddhist Women as Navigating Peace, Progress, and Social Transformation
Dangar Rupaben Bachubhai
WORKSHOP 4
Compassionate Listening
Karma Lekshe Tsomo
Buddhist Pastoral Spiritual Care: An Introduction to the Basics
Pamela Ayo Yetunde
How Can We Sleep When Our Beds Are Burning: Eco Buddhism
Venerable Thubten Chokyi, Venerable Yeshe, Sandra Henville, Sky Dawson
Exploring the Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
Venerable Tien Lien
3D Jelly Flower Art Workshop
Dr. Maechee Punyaporn Saengkhum
Chant Circle: Cultivating Emotional Well-Being Through Sound and Connection
Shreeti Pradhan
Navigating Change through Mindful Steps
Ven KL Dhammapiyā Bhikkhunī
An optional 3-day post-conference tour will take place from 21st June 2025 to 23rd June 2025.
(Lunch hosted by KBV)
(Packed lunch provided)
(Lunch hosted by KBS)
Before 31st March 2025 (via online booking):
From 1st April 2025 (via online booking):
Registration closed as of 31st May 2025.
Terms and Conditions for 3-Day Tour
Due to limited capacity at certain venues and the total number of participants, the organiser may need to adjust the schedule. As a result, participants may visit locations on different days, and the original schedule may not be followed exactly. However, all planned places of visit will remain unaffected. The organiser reserves the right to make these changes and appreciates your understanding and cooperation.
The Conference Secretariat and Organizers accept no responsibility for any personal injuries, or loss of or damage to participants’ private property, whether occurring during the Conference or indirectly related to it. Participants are strongly encouraged to arrange personal travel and health insurance for the trip.
Sakyadhita International
Association of Buddhist Women
Kuching Buddhist Society
Malaysian Buddhist
Kulapati Association
Malaysia Buddhist
Bhikkhuni Association
Kuching Dhamma
Vijaya Buddhist Centre
Buddhist Missionary
Society Malaysia
Business Events Sarawak
Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign
Sarawak More to Discover
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