I was teaching Thai language at the Thai temple in Fremont in 2003, when I spotted a young monastic sitting in the back of the class. She looked like a female…….a female in a saffron robe! With her bright smile, her face lit up with youthful radiance.
I had never seen a Theravada Bhikkhuni before in my life because they did not exist in Thailand. The story that arose from the patriarchal religious authority was that the 2nd fold sangha, that is the female monastic lineage, had died out. And hence without a female preceptor, so it was explained, a female can no longer be ordained. I have always found this “extinction” story rather questionable. Drawn by curiosity, I approached the young monastics to find out who she was, where she came from, what she was doing at the Thai temple etc. That is how I met Ayya Tathaaloka 22 years ago.
Since then, I have been privileged to witness the birth of Dhammadharini, a vihara in a tiny townhouse in Fremont, the amazing springing forth of supporters, the vibrant activities, the steady increases of female monastics, the many relocations, the amazing generosity of faithful supporters, the growth of the Theravada Bhikkhuni revival which Ayya T. (as many called her) has poured her heart and soul to foster, the evacuations from Aranya Bodhi, and finally the settling into a place of our own in Penngrove. On the personal side, Ayya T., has helped me forge a children’s Buddhist Ethics program at the Fremont Thai temple, accepted the request to be my spiritual guide at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and agreed to officiate at Glenn’s and my wedding ceremony.
My name is Supatra Chowchuvech, resident of Foster City, and currently a member of the Board of Directors and president of Dhammadharini. Ayya T. has asked me to consider joining the Board in the past, but I declined as I was too busy. Then three years ago after I retired from my teaching position at UC Berkeley, the then-president Susie Kliks approached me again. Although I was reluctant as I still have my side business and other activities to tend to, it was time to give back to the religion.
In the scripture, the Buddha taught that it is essential to support the teaching and practice of Dhamma and serve those who have resolutely gone forth on the path to liberation. The act of support is highly wholesome, and will result in tremendous benefit towards one own’s spiritual growth. True, it hardly feels spiritual when dealing with the busy mundane work of the Board. But the Buddha confirmed that it is, and that make karmic sense.
It takes a great deal behind the scenes to keep Dhammadharini running as you experience it – a place for Buddhist practice and Dhamma teaching, an institution available for female monastics and aspirants, a center to lead the revival of Bhikkhunis in the world. The Board, being the lay chaperone of the monastery, takes care of finances, fund raising, facilities maintenance and construction, insurance, community outreach, media, volunteer recruitment and coordination, special events, and more. These duties greatly exceed the number of volunteers. I hope to encourage readers to lend your talents, knowledge, and experience to help strengthen and sustain this female monastic lineage as an impactful abode of the Triple Gems (Buddha-Dhamma-Sangha). You may take a look at the volunteer page in our dhammadharini.net website. For those who have limited spare time, you can still contribute by signing up in the on-call task-based volunteer pool. But please do not discontinue your monetary support (LOL).
I had had little experience in a Board position when I accepted the request to serve on Dhammadharini’s Board. Dipping my first toe in with the Secretary position gave me some breathing space to learn the ropes before taking the helm. I soaked in the chance to connect with the monastics, to know them as ordinary people who resolutely walk the challenging, but undistracted, path to liberation. They set examples and inspire me. And I enjoy friendship with fellow Board and committee volunteers who are kind-hearted, dedicated, and wholesome people - the kind of Dhamma friends the Buddha said to surround oneself with (kalayanamitr).
You will have the opportunity to meet each of them in future newsletters. Stay-tuned.
With Loving- Kindness,
~Supatra Chowchuvech~
President, Director
Dhammadharini Board of Directors
