I was honored today to receive one of the Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards via a zoom ceremony. This was my first experience with a zoom-type experience for hundreds of participants. Since this was the 20th anniversary of this program, it consisted of many breakouts and reunions. I tried to enter a few minutes after 6:00 am, but was told it was full so I was redirected to a YouTube livestream. I was able to join the Zoom group of 100 before the awards and I had to give my acceptance speech. I was followed by a Chinese nun who also received the award for her Spiritual Care work at the Stanford Medical Center. She led a lovely guided meditation for all those who have been impacted by COVID and related sufferings.
Overall the program was recognition of past recipients and videos from temples and Buddhist centers in Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, the USA and probably more. This is a program that started in Thailand in 2002 after a speech given by Dr. Lee, an American nun living in Thailand, at the United Nation’s sponsored event in 2001 in honor of International Women’s Day (March 8). What is different and quite impressive, is that it includes Buddhist women from all aspects of society–from princesses and queens to political leaders (think Aung San Suu Kyi) to monastics to all aspects of lay life.
Today’s program was held at Pannavati’s Heartwood Refuge Center and she blessed us with several songs that I am hoping I can get recordings to share. The Dharma Duet shown here was especially moving, but she also led an earlier song that had her old Christian Gospel sound to it. I loved it and have requested a copy.
Another chant I really enjoyed was of the Baby Maechee chanting “Inviting Devas to Hear Dhamma” from Thailand. I attended this ceremony in 2009 with Pannavanti when she received the Outstanding Women Buddhist Award (OWBA) and the Baby Maechee’s performed a traditional dance. There’s a photo on the article about that event below.
CLICK for article on Bhikkhuni Pannavati receiving this same award in Thailand in 2009.
CLICK to learn more about maechees in Thailand.
CLICK for a copy of my acceptance speech.
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