Sakyadhita France
Association of Buddhist Women
Sakyadhita France, an Association registered at the Magistrate's Court in Strasbourg, France in 2006 as a charity, was founded by Gabriela Frey together with a group of like-minded women and men of various Buddhist traditions. This Association supports activities in France and in Europe for Buddhist Women, and on their behalf diffuses information related to its history and objectives.
Through its humanitarian and social projects, the primary objective of Sakyadhita France is to bring efficient support to Sakyadhita, International Association of Buddhist Women in its effort to encourage the necessary training of Buddhist women and nuns in India and Sri Lanka.
Sakydhita France was founded in Alsace in the heart of Europe which is traditionally bilingual. It therefore wants to offer this information in French and German, but also in English and numerous books and texts only exist in this language.
Sakydhita France is a member of the Union Bouddhiste de France (UBF) as well as the Union Bouddhiste Europeenne (UBE).
Since the Foundation of Sakyadhita International in 1987 in Boddhgaya in India, Carola Roloff (www.carolaroloff.de/en/index.php) and Gabriele Kuestermann, amongst others, have represented the Association in Germany. Experience gained since then, has enabled the setting up of a Working Group on "Women and Buddhism" in the German Buddhist Union.
Gabriele Kuestermann has recently set up a European Internet platform on line (www.buddhistwomen.eu). The Sakyadhita France Association is grateful for this, and will give its full support via the editorial part in the French language. Sakyadhita UK Association will look after the editorial part in English.
Sakyadhita UK, a non-profit-making organization, was founded in the UK by Beatrice Jutta Gassner, Wendy Barzetovic and Susan Anne Bloy in 2007.
E-mail: sakyadhita-uk(at)gmx.net
sakyadhita-uk(at)gmx.netSakyadhita France wishes that through this network, the important contributions Buddhist women have made through their teachings and writings, can be spread as widely as possible.
Since the beginning women have found a deep source of inspiration in Buddhist practices, realised enlightenment and often transmitted their experiences in a non-conventional way. Although the Buddha himself conferred full Ordination on women, this is unfortunately not recognised everywhere.
Sakyadhita France wishes on the one hand, to collect these records of experience of Buddhist women and ensure their conservation, with a view to promote peace and spirituality in the world. And on the other hand, to bring these records to the attention of the public, so that as many people as possible can find inspiration and courage along the way.
The translation of texts, the collection and processing of data and social actions - the workload is immense and needs a lot of support.
The Sakyadhita France team would be very happy for you to become a member, and/or your participation in any other way.
The website of Sakyadhita France www.sakyadhita.fr will be shifted to the webpage of Sakyadhita International: www.sakyadhita.org.
During this time of transfer it is not possible to view it. There fore we suggest looking in the meantime on www.buddhistwomen.eu.
If you have any questions concerning Sakyadhita France, please contact the President, Gabriela Frey:
SAKYADHITA FRANCE
71, Boulevard d'Anvers
F - 67000 Strasbourg
Email: gabriela.frey(at)free.fr
The Association also aims to make information and documentation, relevant to the subject of 'Women and Buddhism' accessible to the interested public in Europe. With this in mind, it also supports and organises the visit of Buddhist Teachers.
