The bhikkhuni question

Ajahn Brahm - Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery in Australia

I thought that the issue of the ordination of women was limited to the Anglican denomination (in the media anyway). Not so. I was surprised to read about the bhikkhumi issue in yesterday's Bangkok Post. Bhikkhuni is a fully-ordained Buddhist female monk. Apparently the practice Bhikkhuni died out many centuries ago and now it is not legally possible to become a fully-ordainted buddhist monk. Now there are people calling for it to be reinstated. A case of dejavu? Interesting what Ajahn Brahm states as reasons for reinstating bhikkumi: "It's often said that Thai people, both in Bangkok and the provinces, are moving away from Buddhism. Having bhikkhunis would be one very powerful, effective way to restore that confidence in Buddhism. It'll show that we're modern. And it'll show that we are a fair religion. How can we say that we are following reason and truth and fairness when we deny 50 percent of the population the same opportunities?

In a country like Australia, there is no choice. When other religions are introducing equal rights to women, if Buddhism doesn't we're not going to survive. It's culturally unacceptable to have a lack of equity for men and women in Western countries and it's becoming that way in Thailand.

Buddhism is also fading in Thailand because people aren't respecting monks so much. Get the women on board and they can help clean it up."

Hmmmm... Why do these arguments sound so familiar I wonder?

You can read the whole article here.