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A Nuns Vihara run by lay supporters in North America?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:23 am
by starter
I'd like to make a suggestion about establishing a Theravada Nuns Vihara in North America, which offers accomodation (e.g. kuti) and facilities in a safe, quiet, suitable place for sincere Theravada 10-precept (and probably also 8-precept) nuns who truly practice according to the Buddha's teaching. It can be somewhat similar to Gotami Vihara in Malaysia (http://snfwrenms.wordpress.com/). Hopefully it will be run by the lay supporters. Aspiring female renunciates and lay women devotees can probably also stay in the vihara when space is available.

I hope such a vihara can be established to support the Dhamma practice of the nuns, so that they can truly live a simple renunciant life focusing on their practice according to the Dhamma Vinaya.

Your input has been and will be appreciated. Metta to all!

Re: A Nuns Vihara run by lay supporters in North America?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:38 am
by DNS
There already are a few in North America. See:
http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?tit ... ni_centers

But we could use some more. Glad to see your interest in bhikkhuni monasteries.

Re: A Nuns Vihara run by lay supporters in North America?

Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:16 pm
by starter
Hello David,

Thanks for your information. The Theravada Nuns Vihara I'm talking about is different from the bhikkhuni monasteries you were thinking about. I'd like to have a vihara managed by lay supporters, so that the nuns don't need to worry about the property, the finance, the stewards, grocery, ... Things will be managed by lay supporters.

Considering the opposition against bhikkunis at the moment and probably in the near future, this vihara can be set up mainly for the 10-precept nuns at a small size, so that it can gain sufficient support. I've just learned that 10-precept nuns are allowed to cook (please correct me if I'm wrong), so it's probably not necessary to have the lay supporters serve them with the breakfast and lunch dana, but instead they can take turns to cook and serve themselves, or go for alms round if possible. To my knowledge, there's no such a vihara for 10-precept nuns in North America.

Metta to all!