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Another challenge is that so far, no created a more “fertile ground”, but have asked several abbots of forest
Theravāda country has officially there are still very few “old trees”. A monasteries about this over the
recognized female Theravāda mature forest has all the necessary years and they all acknowledge it is
monastics. Those who are not conditions to flourish. Old trees a living question.
fully ordained are not considered provide shelter for younger trees to
monastics, and those who are fully grow, protecting them from strong The Buddha established a
ordained are also not officially winds and harsh sun. Generations relationship of reciprocity between
recognized as being part of the of fallen trees provide nourishment the lay community and monastics.
monastic sangha. Women have for seeds and saplings. Fallen leaves The practice of Piṇḍapāta
always found ways to live the create a continual enrichment of the (almsround) is a traditional way for
renunciate life in different forms, soil that supports the forest, and monastics to have regular contact
but they often end up in positions the forest ecosystem supports many with the lay community. Within a
of service to the monks, or having kinds of life, as well as transforming monastery, having specific times
to support themselves with the four carbon dioxide into oxygen on of day when people can come and
requisites of food, clothing, shelter a daily basis. It is a system of discuss Dhamma, and having times
and medicine, which is hard to do generosity and interbeing. of silence and solitude for the
when you are living as a renunciate. monastics helps to keep a balance.
It takes dedication to keep creating Of course, these days YouTube and
The Theravāda Bhikkhunī Saṅgha the conditions that will support Zoom are ways to share the Dhamma
was officially revived in India future generations. Along with and to meet and discuss practice
in 1996, having been absent in the challenges come the greatest while staying in the forest, unless the
Theravāda countries for over 900 blessings and I wouldn’t choose any forest is very remote. There are also
years. There are now Bhikkhunīs in other way of life. Buddhist monastics who are drawn
many countries around the world, to live in towns and cities in order to
with Sri Lanka having the largest Traditionally Buddhist monastics spread the Dhamma and to support
number of Theravāda Bhikkhunīs. prefer to stay away from towns lay Buddhists in their practice.
Despite this, up until now, no and live in the forests, to be with
Buddhist country has formally nature. How do they balance The Buddha stresses non-
recognized the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. living in solitude and engaging attachment and homelessness,
When I took full ordination, I didn’t with lay people who mainly live including spending time in
expect that things would be so slow in towns? the wilderness, though this is
to change. not common for the average
I think it is an ongoing question layperson. So is the Buddha’s
To give an analogy, the Theravāda how to balance one’s quiet monastic message more relevant for a
Bhikkhunī Sangha is taking root on practice with engaging with lay small group of monastics or for
“bare soil”. Over these years we have people and sharing the Dhamma. I the masses?