Dear Venerable Monastics and Dhamma Friends -
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us this year for our commemoration of the ordination and Arahantship of Anula Tissa Theri on New Year's Eve and to celebrate Sanghamitta Day in mid-December on the last full moon of the year.
Here, we are sharing the recordings of the programs for those who missed them live, as well as links to some of the resources that were shared.
Although we have previously remembered Anula Tissa Theri as part of the story of Sanghamitta Theri, this was our first year to separately commemorate her ordination and Arahantship. It has already proven to be one of our most popular online programs of the year, and many people have expressed appreciation for this focus on her story.
One element of this program was the sharing of a short Sri Lankan documentary about Anula Tissa Theri's stupa: A tangible archaeological record of honoring this Arahant Bhikkhuni.
Ayya Tathaloka led the effort to prepare English captions from an automated Google Translate translation of the original Sinhala captions, with minor corrections by a faithful team of Buddhist bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, and lay Dhamma friends. This has allowed this information to be shared in English for the first time.
We are also happy to share a version of the video with Khmer subtitles (មហិន្ទលេ ព្រះចេតិយ អរុហត្ត អនុលា ថេរី), thanks to Samaneri Ariya Dhammajivi.
Also during the online program, Thavira Bhikkhuni shared a short slide presentation on Anula Tissa Theri's story and its significance.
And next, looking back on Sanghamitta Day...
Every year, as we return to the story of Arahant Sanghamitta Theri again and again, we have new insights into its richness and continued relevance today. This year, we were especially considering how the women at the center of this story - Anula Tissa Theri and Sanghamitta Theri - were acting with their own inspiration and agency, and the great male leaders close to them were launching international missions out of respect for their aspirations.
“How do we know Arahant Sanghamitta Theri’s story?”
On our program on Sunday, December 15th, the Dhammadharini monastics were joined online by Marajina Bhikkhuni, Silavaddhani Bhikkhuni, Brahmavara Bhikkhuni, and Anuvidita Bhikkhuni.
Several friends also braved the cold and damp weather to bring a wonderful meal to the monastery - anumodana!
The informative posters from Samaneri Dhammajivi, which convey inspiring points from the Dīpavaṃsa, may be downloaded here.
In the evening, the community gathered for a puja in honor of our Bodhi tree, festively decorated for the occasion.
How is Sanghamitta Theri relevant today?
On Tuesday, the Dhammadharini monastics were joined online by:
Mettajivi Bhikkhuni, sharing how she was influenced by Sanghamitta Theri’s story on her journey to become the first modern Cambodian Bhikkhuni.
Bhikkhuni panel discussion including special guests Marajina Theri, Santacari Bhikkhuni, Niyyanika Bhikkhuni, and Mettajivi Bhikkhuni. reflecting on Sanghamitta Theri’s legacy, and what we can learn from her success as a messenger of the Dhamma, carrying the Bhikkhuni Sangha to a new land.
Don de Silva, UN diplomat, offered a stirring presentation about the Sustainable Legacy of Sanghamitta Theri – especially drawing out the aspects of the strength and agency of Arahats Sanghamitta and Anula Tissa Theri in instigating the whole process, the skillful statecraft involved, and the lasting benefits to Sri Lanka and the world from these events.You may see Don’s incredibly rich and informative slide presentation here.
United Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha International Sanghamitta Day program
We are also happy to share the recording from the UTBSI Sanghamitta Day program on Saturday December 14th, with the theme “Courage and Resilience in going Forth,” including 10 young monastics from India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, the United States and Vietnam sharing their experiences on the path of practice.
Speakers during the program included Vandana Bhikkhuni, Thavira Bhikkhuni, and Samaneri Ariya Dhammajivi.
Sanghamitta Resource in Spanish
Marajina Bhikkhuni, founder of Theravada Cuba, has translated this video on Sanghamitta Theri’s story into Spanish; watch the video here in Spanish and English.
Sanghamitta Resource in Hindi
For any Indian viewers, we would like to recommend Ayye Sakya Dhammadinna's presentation on Sanghamitta Theri. This was one of her most-viewed programs this year!
We are so appreciative of everyone who joined us for these events.
With metta,
the Dhammadharini Community
These programs are offered as freely-given gifts of Dhamma Dana. Learn more about how you can support the Dhammadharini Community and programs like these.