Buddhist Women's Conference 2013
The Bodhisattva Path
We hope you can join us for this workshop on compassion! This smaller version of the Women's Buddhist Conference will be smaller and more intimate, but we will still have two great speakers visiting Chicago especially for the event:
Venerable Dr. Pannavati Bhikkhuni, a yogini, former Christian pastor, founding Co-Abbot of
Embracing Simplicity Hermitage, and a founding director of
Sisters of Compassionate Wisdom (a 21st century trans-lineage Buddhist order), ordained in Theravada and Chan Schools. A Zen Dharma Holder and Vajrayana practitioner as well, Pannavati's insight is rich with compassion, wit and humor. Known for her ordination of Thai and Cambodian nuns, work with homeless youth in Appalachia, and ministry to the "untouchables" in India, she is the recipient of multiple Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards, and received a special commendation from HRH Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand for humanitarian service towards women and children.
Venerable Chang Ji is an ordained nun from
Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association in the Chinese Mahayana tradition of Buddhism since 2004. She is committed to teaching the tenets of contemplative action to young adults worldwide, and has led many workshops for young leaders from North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. She works to spread awareness of Spiritual Environmentalism as taught by her teacher, the late Venerable Master Sheng Yen.
Schedule
Saturday, March 16, 2013
| 08:00 am |
Registration begins |
| 08:00 am |
Registration begins |
| 09:00 - 10:00 am | Compassion Meditation |
| 10:00 am - Noon | Keynote: "The Bodhisattva - A Present Help in the Time of Need", Venerable Dr. Pannavati Bhikkhuni |
| noon - 1:00 pm | Vegetarian lunch: Informal discussion with our two guests |
| 01:00 - 02:00 pm | The Bodhisattva Path
A panel discussion with Venerable Dr. Pannavati Bhikkhuni, Venerable Chang Ji, and Venerable Chang Zhi. They will discuss: What is a Bodhisattva? What are the Bodhisattva precepts? How can we strive to become better Bodhisattvas? |
| 02:00 - 04:00 pm | Inner Dimensions of Climate Change, Venerable Chang Ji
We will consider how our unexamined assumptions lead to greed and ignorance, which result in multiple social problems. Climate change is one important example. We want to be happy, but our pursuit of happiness leads to unhappiness and social injustice, for ourselves and others. Master Sheng Yen called this spiritual poverty; a solution is spiritual environmentalism. |
| 04:00 pm | Transfer of Merit Closing Ceremony |
| 05:00 pm | Optional Dinner with Guest Speakers and Conference Organizers: Meli and Asayo and others who would like to attend. Cost of dinner not included. |
Location
The workshop will be held at:
The Chicago Chapter of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (
DDMBA-Chicago)
1234 N. River Road, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
Registration
The registration cost of the event is $25 and includes a vegetarian lunch. Your participation will help to defray travel costs of our special visitors! To register in advance (and help us reserve a lunch for you), please pay online at the
DDMBA-Chicago donation page, and specify "Bodhisattva Workshop" in the comment area. Alternatively, please email
meli@northwestern.edu or
susan@lincke.org in advance and pay when you come.
Driving Directions
1. From Chicago: Take I90 North to 294 North
2. Exit 294 North at US 14/Dempster Street going West on US 14/Dempster
3. Turn right/north onto US 12/Des Plaines River Road
4. At about 3.3 miles, the shopping center with DDMBA will be on the left hand side
Our shopping center is just before the major traffic light Euclid Ave/W Lake Street. There is a new gas station on that corner