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—– Original Message —– From: “Alliance for Bhikkhunis” Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 1:05 AM Subject: Support Bhikkhunis Email not displaying correctly? [1]View it in your browser. [2]Robe and alms bowl Links: 1. http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d081c03c356665756e3a8ac94&id=a6d7a49d2e&e=bd165d4899 2. http://www.bhikkhuni.net?utm_source=Alliance+for+Bhikkhunis+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=a6d7a49d2e-June+2011+Fundraising+Campaign&utm_medium=email Dear Friend of bhikkhunis and the Alliance for Bhikkhunis: At this time of year, we take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to our friends for their generous donations, innovative suggestions, and hard work on behalf of bhikkhunis. Hundreds of people worldwide came together to make the 1st Annual International Bhikkhuni Day on September 17, 2011 a day of learning about bhikkhunis and their history as well as honoring inspiring women in our lives. Though physically far apart, participants felt connected to a global celebration of women’s spiritual accomplishments. We cherish each person’s [3]contribution, be it an article offered for our online magazine _[4]Present _or International Bhikkhuni Day, a donation of money, the creation of a Firstgiving page, organizing an event, hosting a bhikkhuni, volunteering on a committee, or simply and crucially spreading the word. Your combined efforts made a difference, a huge difference! Your kindness gives women who have been considering ordaining the courage and confidence to move forward. This is what you have accomplished. Links: 3. http://www.bhikkhuni.net/support.html?utm_source=Alliance+for+Bhikkhunis+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=a6d7a49d2e-June+2011+Fundraising+Campaign&utm_medium=email 4. http://bhikkhuni.net/present/index3.html?utm_source=Alliance+for+Bhikkhunis+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=a6d7a49d2e-June+2011+Fundraising+Campaign&utm_medium=email Those who have been following bhikkhuni developments over the last several years realize the landscape has changed dramatically since 2007 when the Alliance for Bhikkhunis (AfB) was founded. More and more women are ordaining. At a recent ordination of Bhikkhunis Anandabodhi, Santacitta, and Nimmala at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Ven. Bhikkhu An?layo was very direct about his assessment about the implications of the reemergence of the Bhikkhuni Sangha. He said: “The revival of the bhikkhun? tradition is, in my personal view, the most significant development for the Therav?da tradition of the 21st century. The last century saw the rise of lay meditation, which by now has become a mass movement that even affects health care in hospitals and education in secular society. Similar to the many beneficial effects that the full integration of laity in Dharma practice has shown, I believe the full integration of the bhikkhun?s will have numerous beneficial effects.” We agree wholeheartedly. We also believe there is still much more that needs to be done to protect this fragile revival. In many countries, bhikkhus are prohibited from participating in bhikkhuni ordinations. And where bhikkhunis co-exist with bhikkhus, the bhikkhunis are denied the same legal status as their brothers. The women also go without the privileges and support the bhikkhus enjoy. The Alliance for Bhikkhunis continues to play a unique role in advocating for a gender-balanced approach to Theravada monasticism; promoting scholarship about women monastics and their history as well as shining a light on contemporary bhikkhuni activities and achievements; educating the laity about bhikkhunis; and assisting established monasteries and partnering to create new ones. To achieve our mission, we need your help. With most of AfB’s work performed by volunteers, your [5]donation goes to fund our website, scholarship appearing in our online magazine _[6]Present _and digital library, and allows us to maintain a directory of bhikkhunis around the world as well as send moneys to various monasteries. This is heart work that we do. Please know that whatever you can give is enormously appreciated and put to good use. If you have more time than money, please contact us and join our growing family of volunteers. Links: 5. http://www.bhikkhuni.net/support.html?utm_source=Alliance+for+Bhikkhunis+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=a6d7a49d2e-June+2011+Fundraising+Campaign&utm_medium=email 6. http://bhikkhuni.net/present/index3.html?utm_source=Alliance+for+Bhikkhunis+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=a6d7a49d2e-June+2011+Fundraising+Campaign&utm_medium=email If you are interested in volunteering, we are currently seeking a managing editor to oversee production of our online magazine _[7]Present_. We are also seeking a volunteer graphic designer to design brochures and postcards as well as additional editors and proof readers for our magazine and digital Library. Additional volunteers are also needed to staff the 2nd International Bhikkhuni Day on September 29, 2012. Additional Facebook administrators are also needed. Please contact me at [8]spembroke@bhikkhuni.net if any of these ways of getting involved appeals to you. We are more than happy to answer questions and do what we can to make you feel an integral part of the Alliance for Bhikkhunis. Links: 7. http://bhikkhuni.net/present/index3.html?utm_source=Alliance+for+Bhikkhunis+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=a6d7a49d2e-June+2011+Fundraising+Campaign&utm_medium=email 8. mailto:spembroke@bhikkhuni.net Sincerely, Susan Pembroke President P.S. Dream with us. Envision a world where there are as many bhikkhunis as bhikkhus. Take a minute to [9]make a donation right now to realize that vision. Links: 9. http://www.bhikkhuni.net/support.html?utm_source=Alliance+for+Bhikkhunis+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=a6d7a49d2e-June+2011+Fundraising+Campaign&utm_medium=email _________________________________________________________________ _The bhikkhunis, and the Alliance for Bhikkhunis, are very thankful for your support!_