Home











THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON WOMEN



Newsletter



Volume 2 No. 1 January - April B.E. 2543 / 2000



NEW YEAR GREETING

Composed by - Thong-in Soonsawad

The festivities herald the dawning of the New Year;

May Lord Buddha be with you?

May your body and mind retain their youthful vigor?

May your thoughts transcend your problems through the year?

Your patience will be rewarded by peace of mind,

And your obstacles fade as quickly as the morning dew,

Surrender the things of youth gracefully,

Hurry, build economy to make an income,

And good health and long life be your reward,

Face only purity, prettiness, brightness;

May your complexion remain as smooth as silk,

Through the eyes and mind of your admirers?

Your new and old experience will be enhanced by your participation;

Beware of your limitations and often search for reality;

The expectant anticipation of sensual pleasure looms in the mind;

Know the value, know the rising and ceasing of all beings.

Endeavors new, replace the old;

Elevating fortune and status together bring a new honorable dimension;

Progression through good deeds and intellectual pursuits

Are rewarding in mind and spirit

May the cosmic force inspire you to the unlimited possibilities that exist,

With the benevolence ever present through the auspicious rewarding and vitality?

May the Triple Gem inspire peace with Noble Dharma?

Your life flows towards excellence without suffering, but filled with bliss.





WATER-SPRINKLING

(on the Songkran festival and the National Elderly's Day in Thailand)

By Princess Poon Pismal Diskul

The Songkran Festival marks the completion of an orbit of the earth round the sun and is supposed to fall generally on April 13. On the Eastern hemisphere it is summer and we regard it as out new year, and since B.E 2525 it has been marked as the National Elderly's Day in Thailand as well. On this occasion it is traditional that the young ones go to the elders to request their blessings. So they bring one set of bathing clothes and another one of general dress. These are called 'twin set' and together with some perfume and other fragrant things are offered to the elders or senior members of their family. The perfume is poured on their hands and after that the elders will give their blessings to the young ones. It is on this occasion that friends and relatives can meet and converse with one another. It is therefore an occasion for a happy re-union, being in some ways like Western Christmas season.

For the elders this is an occasion showing how much the young ones regard them as such, for it is traditional that only the young ones will sprinkle water on the elders, and not vice versa. This tradition of water-sprinkling and asking for blessings can be done to other elders, who are not one's own relatives.

For other people in general there used to be the water-throwing which was confined those those within the same household ot the acquaintances and it was done for blessing purpose. Until recent times there was nothing of the wholesale, indiscriminate and tough way of throwing water at everybody, just for the sadistic merriment of the throwers as at present.



YIN AND LIBERATION

By Erika dias, Sri Lanka (Author and poet)

The Yin qualities of women are ideal to work towards liberation. Liberation is gained by working with the heart. The left side of the brain where the intellect resides is harsh. It constantly condemns, ridicules, dissects, analyses, compares, identifies and so on - the negative Qualities of Man. Intellect is ideal to be used for understanding for living in wisdom but as soon understanding clicks, it should be discarded like a can opener. Like the arahants we must live with the heart, every moment with love, caring and concern only. Women can live with the heart easily as mother love comes to them spontaneously.

The heart also opens out to intuition, that is, clicks with the right side of the brain. Therefore, the heart is in emptiness here anger, hatred, envy, greed and grasping has left. Mind is now in space, light and buoyant and becomes a twin of the heart. When space is created stillness and silence reside in the mind and in it's sisterheart . There is no discrimination in them. It is like stretching a rubber band and when it snaps, you are with the cosmic infinity. The universal space embraces you. What is there in the environment around? Only space with stillness and silence in it. Through meditation you reach this space within the mind and within the heart. Its generosity stretches flexibility to infinity. All your problems are nothing then. Space accommodates them all. Your problems, like fireworks in the sky, instantly dissolving in the vast blue sky without a trace in the air.

The stillness and silence are the ultimate reality of peace. It is motionless in you. You feel a solid mountain within you. You move with it, fearless like a lion. Fearless to die any moment, mountain solid within you. You feel close in nibbana. Then you move with bliss. Your space in your mind and your space in your heart merge with the space in the environment. Everything is in 'oneness'. And when you die the stillness and silence in the space continue. It is a wonder, a wonder of the universe. Your ceaseless efforts are at least rewarding. What more is there to achieve?




NEPAL

ACTIVITIES OF THE BUDDHIST WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION IN THE YEAR 1999-2000

By Basanti Bajracharya

Liaison Officer Assistant Treasurer, Standing Committee on Women

The Association has been conducting classes on Buddha Dhamma (pariyati) for the students of Paropakar High School to cultivate in them good moral behavior for last couple of years. During this fiscal year, there were forty-nine students who appeared in the Board Exam of Bauddha Pariyati Sikchhya from five different classes and forty four students passed the Board Exam. A girl succeeded in securing third position in the board. This has given us immense satisfaction an inspiration.

The association has been regularly conducting one-day retreat "Anapana Children Meditation Course" for village children. One day Retreat programs were held in the following different places at different times and dates.

A Dhamma talk program was organized at the Buddha Ardhan Sadan Monastery in Gautam Buddha Marg, Pokhara. There were about eighty people and they were very impressed by the talk given by Anagarika Nyanawati and the Vice-President of the Association, Ms. Nani Maiya Manandhar.

On the occasion of the 2543rd Buddha Jayanti, the Association honored Venerable Vikkhu Sudershan Mahasthabir, Anagarika Do Gunwati from Myanmar and Mr Loke Darshan Bajracharya with felicitation letters for their continuous effort in the valuable contribution of the propagation of Buddha Dhamma in Nepal.

In addition, the Association also felicitated the founder president of Dhamakirti Vihar and the Dhammanusasak (Religious Mentor) of the Association, Anagarika Dhammabati on her 50th anniversary of nunhood by presenting gift and cash contribution to the organizing committee.

The Association organized a program to welcome to all the newly elected executive board members of Dharmodaya Sabha, under the Chairmanship of Mr Loke Darshan Bajracharya. The Vice President of the Buddhist Womens Association, Mr Nani Maiya Manandhar was also elected as executive board member of Dharmodaya Sabha.

The Association contributed Rs 301.7 to the Group of Scout Rangers for their cleaning campaign at Manichhudha (a pond with a Buddhist historic background in Kathmandu during the Buddha Jayanti).

Tree plantation, free health clinic and Dhamma talk progam were held together at the vicinity of Jyoti Old Women's Home, Thankot in Kathmandu. 150 people benefited from the free health clinic and people appreciated the talk given by Anagarika Sujata on Buddha Dhamma on environment to make the local people aware of morality, health and cleanliness.

At the invitation of the Buddhist Association of China, the President of the Association, Mrs Bimata Bajracharya visited China to observe the different monastries. This visit gave an opportunity to acquaint the Association with international organizations.

The Association was actively involved in the "Taskforce" led by Dharmodaya Sabha to oppose the controversial "International Hindhu Buddhist Conference". The Association took an active part in the meetings and protest rally.

The Association actively participated and took the full responsibility of registration of all the delegates at the Seventh National Buddhist Conference held at Narayangad in Chitawan on February 4,5,6.

The Association carried out the above mentioned tasks with satisfaction in spite of limited resources and facilities, yet there is a lot to be accomplished in the future.



A NAME LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON WOMEN

B.E. 2535 - 2537 (1992 - 1994)

1. Khunying Suthama Auychai, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

2. Mrs Diana Paw U, Hawaii Regional Centre, U.S.A.

3. Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

4. Mrs Hung Yi-Shou, Lay Buddhist Association, Taiwan, R.O.C.

5. Mrs Shizuko Uyehara, Hawaii Regional Centre, U.S.A.

6. Rev. Sek Bao Tong, Singapore Regional Centre The Buddhist Union, Singapore

7. Rev Sek Bao Shi, Singapore Regional Centre The Buddhist Union, Singapore

8. Rev. Sek Thi Chen, Singapore Regional Centre The Buddhist Union, Singapore

9. Mrs Sawanee Wismol, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

10. Rev. Sik Fatt Kuan, Singapore Regional Centre, Singapore

11. Madam Ng Eng, Singapore Regional, Singapore

12. Deb. Shova Kansakar, Kalimpong Dharmodaya Saba, India

13. Miss Saiyood Uthaisri, Young Buddhist Association, Bangkok, Thailand

14. Ms Yeoh Yuat Hwa, B.M. Lady Section, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

15. Dr. Sim Mettasam Ishak, Vihara Jakarta Dhamma Jaya, Indonesia

16. Mrs Anchari Phurisi, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

17. Ms Piyaporn Erbprasartsook, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

18. Mrs Nhuyon Darh Dan, Lay Buddhist, France

19. Mrs Somsri Kantaratanakul, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

20. Mrs Jongkonnee Rungchareon, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

21. Mrs Srinit Suvatipanich, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

22. Lt. Gen. Chalom Wismol, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

23. Ven. Man Hua, WFB Organizing Committee, Taiwan, R.O.C.

24. Mrs Chigo Miyabara, Hawaii, U.S.A.

25. Mr Gho Seng Chai, Malaysia

26. Dr Manit Leethochavalit, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

27. Mr Ambhorn Arunrangsi, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

28. Ven. Kyung Ja Park, Korea Won Buddhism, U.S.A.

29. Ven. Chung Ok Lee, Won Buddhism, U.S.A.

30. Mrs Sawanee Tonyoopaiboon, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

31. Ms Jiraporn Jarerndej, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

32. Mrs Chitra Chuchinda, Bangkok, Thailand

33. Mrs Ubol Bodhidatta, Bangkok, Thailand

34. Mr Pongpan Pettkul, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

35. Mr Suksun Chirachariyavej, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

36. Mr Teh Thean Choo, EXCO Member, Thailand

37. Ven. Mettanando, Dhammakaya Temple, Thailand

B.E. 2537 - 2541 (1994 - 1998)

1. Khunying Suthama Auychai, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

2. Dr Sritaptim Panitpan, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

3. Mrs Nhu-Hoa, The United Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation of Australia and New Zealand, Australia

4. Mrs Pinkham Simmalavong, The Buddhist Council of New South Wales, Inc., Australia

5. Mrs Chu Ma, The Buddhist Council of New South Wales, Inc., Australia

6. Mrs Amitha Perera, The Buddhist Council of New South Wales, Inc., Australia

7. Mrs Ursula Lyon, Austian Buddhist Union, Austria

8. Mrs Veronika Langer, Austrian Buddhist Union, Austria

9. Mrs Parul Rani Barua, Bangladesh Buddhist Association, Bangladesh

10. Ms Anjalika Chakma, Parbatya Bouddha Sangha, Bangladesh

11. Ven. Ho Thien Kiem, Association Cultuelle Bouddhique de Marseille, France

12. Mrs Cintayogini Manuela Steer, Order Arya Maitreya Mandala (AMM), Germany

13. Leung Shuet-Mui, WFB Hong Kong and Macao Regional Centre, Hong Kong

14. Mrs uin Moi Rahul, Maha Bodhi Asoka Mission, India

15. Ms Deb Shova Jyoti Kansakar, Kalimpong Dharmodaya Sabha, India

16. Mr Kesha Chandra Rajbhoj, Indian Buddhist Society, India

17. Mrs Sujada K. Rajbhoj, Indian Buddhist Society, India

18. Mrs Priya D. Khare, The Buddhist International Centre, India

19. Dr Banhi Kumari Bhattacharryya, International Meditation Centre, India

20. Mrs Kamal R. Gawai, Yashodhara Mahila Vikask Mandal, India

21. Mrs Satya Gupta, International Buddha Education Institute, India

22. Smt. Gita Rani Barua, All India Buddhist Mission, India

23. Ms Snigddha Barua, All India Buddhist Mission, India

24. Mrs Dekyi Genzong, Dhamma Chakra Centre, India

25. Bhikkhuni Yeong Hee Soo, WFB Korea Regional Centre, Korea

26. Mdm. Hong Soon Koay, WFB Penang Regional Centre, Malaysia

27. Mrs N. Gantomor, The Centre of Mongolian Buddhist, Mongolia

28. Mrs N. Ulziijargal, The Centre of Mongolian Buddhist, Mongolia

29. Ms Subarna Bajrcharya, Dhamodaya Sabha, Nepal

30. Ven. Sek Fatt Kuan, The WFB Singapore Regional Centre, Singapore

31. Ven. Sik Mun Cheng, The WFB Singapore Regional Centre, Singapore

32. Ven. Sek Bao Shi, The Buddhist Union, Singapore

33. Ven. Sek Bao Tong, The Buddhist Union, Singapore

34. Miss Esther Boey Mei Lin, The Buddhist Union, Singapore

35. Mrs Mala William, Sri Lanka Regional Centre of WFB, Sri Lanka

36. Mrs Rajani de Zoysa, Sri Lanka Regional Centre of WFB, Sri Lanka

37. Mrs Suvineeta Amarasingha, Sri Lanka Regional Centre of WFB, Sri Lanka

38. Mrs Msme Mutukumara, Sri Lanka Regional Centre of WFB, Sri Lanka

39. Mrs Ratna Goonetilaka, All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Sri Lanka

40. Mrs Rani Tilekaratne, All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Sri Lanka

41. Mrs Malou Idewall, Buddhismens Venners, Sweden

42. Ms Ting Lu-yuan, Lay Buddhist Association, Taiwan

43. Mrs Hong Yi-Shou, Lay Buddhist Association, Taiwan

44. Mrs Lee, Hsu Hsin-Yeh, Lay Buddhist Association, Taiwan

45. Ms Lin Chia-Ju, Lay Buddhist Association, Taiwan

46. Mrs Lan Liang Hsiao-Chuan, Han-tzang Cultural Association of ROC, Taiwan

47. Mrs Kang Kuo-Chun, Han-tzang Cultural Association of ROC, Taiwan

48. Mrs Kanchana Soonsawad, The Buddhist Association of Thailand, Thailand

49. Ms Thanongsri Intanupat, The Young Buddhist Association of Thailand, Thailand

50. Ms Virongrong Chandwinit, Dhammakaya Foundation, Thailand

51. Ms Thnitha Phunsombat, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

52. Mrs Jongkonnee Rungchareon, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

53. Mrs Srinit Suvatipanich, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

54. Mrs Somsri Kantaratanakul, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

55. Mrs Anchari Phurisi, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

56. Mr Ashok K. Rajbhoj, Congregation of Vietnamese Buddhist in the USA, U.S.A.

57. Mrs Kim-Yen Bui, Congregation of Vietnamese Buddhist in the USA, U.S.A.

58. Mrs Tran Thi Luc-Ha, Congregation of Vietnamese Buddhist in the USA, U.S.A.

59. Mrs Tan Tan Than, Congregation of Vietnamese Buddhist in the USA, U.S.A.

60. Mrs Cam Thach Huyen, Congregation of Vietnamese Buddhist in the USA, U.S.A.

61. Mrs Mineke Myoun Van Sloten, International Zen Insitute of America, U.S.A.

62. Mrs Annemarie Vormschlag, International Zen Institute of America, U.S.A.

B.E. 2541 - 2543 (1998 - 2000)

1. Assoc. Prof. Sritaptim Panitpan, Advisor to WFB Headquarters, Thailand

2. Mrs Wimala Somaratne, Sri Lanka Regional Centre, Sri Lanka

3. Mrs Hung Yi Shou, Lay Buddhist Association, Taiwan

4. Mrs Kanchana Soonsawad, Buddhist Association of Thailand, Thailand

5. Mrs Elizabeth Oski, Australian Buddhist Federation, Australia

6. Mrs Nhu Hoa, The United Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation of Australia and New Zealand, Australia

7. Mr Loke Darshan, Austrian Buddhist Union, Austria

8. Mrs Hung Yi Shou, Austrian Buddhist Union, Austria

9. Mrs Hsu Yang-Chu, Bangladesh Buddhist Association, Bangladesh

10. Ms Basanti Devi Bajracharya, Buddhist Women's Association of Thailand, Sri Lanka

11. Ms Saiyood Uthaisri, Young Buddhist Association of Thailand, Thailand

12. Mrs Panee Wattanapong, Buddhist Association of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

13. Assoc. Prof. Kongkaew Charoenagsorn, Buddhist Association of Thailand, Thailand

14. Mrs Srinit Suvatipanich, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

15. Mrs Chongkolnee Rungcharoen, Dhammapradipa Association, Thailand

16. Mrs Kanchana Soonsawad, Buddhist Association of Thailand, Thailand

17. Dr Malini Dias, Sri Lanka Regional Centre, Sri Lanka

18. Mrs Plumchit Chunhawat, Thai-Chinese Buddhist Association, Thailand

19. Mrs Susan Algama, Sri Lanka Regional Centre, Sri Lanka

20. Mrs Anita Svensson, Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd, Australia

21. Lt. Gen. Chalom Wismol, WFB Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand

22. Mrs Mala William, Sri Lanka Regional Centre, Sri Lanka

23. Dr Ananda W. P. Guruge, WFB Vice-President, Sri Lanka


FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Assoc. Prof. Sritaptim Panitpan

Editor-in-Chief

Dear Members and Readers,

This is the second newsletter of the Standing Committee on Women, one of the nine Standing Committees of the World Fellowship of Buddhists. The objectives of the newsletter are (1) to publish materials which report the on-going activities of the Standing Committee on Women; (2) to create a wider network for action by collecting and disseminating information about issues relating to women, childrena nd other female froups of the WFB regional centres; (3) to promote the roles/statuses of women in Buddhism, in the WFB and the society for securing peace, happiness, harmoney among men and women.

This "Standing Committee on Women, WFB NEwsletter: will be issued quarterly in containing articles relating to women issues form Buddhist female, as well as male scholars and news from our liaison officers at the WFB Radional Centres.

We do appreciate Mrs. Wimala Bajracharya and other liaison officers for their wonderful contributions (by sending us news and on-going activities of their organizations, as well as an article on the Women's Roles in Buddhist Activities).

Yours comments and cooperation will be of the greatest and most valuable contributions to help fulfill our endeavor.

THAILAND

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Assoc. Prof. Sritaptim Panitpan

DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mrs. Kanchana Soonsawad

Mrs Pongrutai Chotayakrit

GRAPHIC Ms Keerana Soonnanond

REGIONAL CENTRES Mrs Anita Svensson (Australia)

Mrs Wimala Bajracharya (Nepal)

and so on



Back to Top

Home