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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 41

resistance. In the end, being a monk They’ve made me more determined
or a nun is not so different, except to stand tall, to represent female
that women, unfortunately, still face monastics with dignity and
additional challenges. But according strength, and to remind people that
to the Buddha’s teachings, this the Dhamma belongs to everyone.
shouldn’t happen — men and
women have the same opportunity What is your personal vision for
to reach Nibbāna. the future of female ordination
and spiritual leadership in
What were the most significant Buddhism?
steps in your spiritual training
— and which practices continue I dream of a future where female
to sustain and deepen your path ordination is never questioned,
today? where women can lead temples,

teach without restriction, and
The first was my temporary be respected for their wisdom
It wasn’t a single dramatic moment
ordination in Myanmar during the and compassion. I want to see
— more like a slow, irresistible
political unrest of 2022. Traveling more women in leadership roles,
pull. The more I studied the
alone, with my family unaware, better education for nuns, and
teachings and practiced meditation,
and ordaining in that environment greater representation in the
the more I realized that nothing
taught me courage and trust in global Buddhist community. The
else gave me the same sense of
the Dhamma. The second was Buddha himself ordained women,
clarity and joy. I saw the way
re-ordaining in the U.S., where I and Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī opened
monks lived, with simplicity and
helped build a temple community the path — the seed was planted
purpose in helping people through
and worked closely with teachers over 2,500 years ago. It’s our
Dhamma, and I thought: This is
and children. Today, my practice responsibility to make sure it
what I want my life to be about. At
is sustained by daily meditation, flourishes.
twenty-three, while many of my
chanting, and service — especially
friends were choosing careers or
teaching Dhamma to the younger If you could speak to a young
relationships, I chose robes. It felt
generation. Guiding others keeps woman today who feels drawn to
radical, but also inevitable.
my own path alive. the Dhamma but unsure where to
You’ve trained under different begin, what would you tell her?
traditions and teachers. How What challenges have you
have these experiences shaped faced as a woman choosing the Start small, but start. Visit a
your understanding of what it monastic path, and how have temple, talk to monks and nuns
means to live a renunciant life as they empowered your practice for guidance, read a sutta, sit
a woman? and your message? in meditation for five minutes.
And remember: your voice, your
There is still a lot of bias toward mind, and your practice are just
Training in different countries —
female monastics in many cultures. as valuable as anyone else’s. If the
Italy, Myanmar, the U.S., and Sri
I’ve been underestimated, ignored, calling is in your heart, trust it. The
Lanka — taught me that being a nun
and even openly told that women robe may not be the ultimate goal
is not just about following rules or
cannot lead. These moments hurt for everyone, but the Dhamma is —
wearing robes. It’s about keeping
— especially when you are young and it belongs to all. EH
the essence of the practice alive
and with little life experience —
wherever you are. As a woman, I’ve
but they’ve also become my fuel.
had to navigate both respect and