03.07.2025 Celebrating Women in Buddhism   This weekend, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. Women historical and contemporary have contributed enormously to the Buddhist path, practicing and teaching, blazing their own trails, achieving titles and honors previously reserved for men, and dedicating their lives to the benefit of all beings. To honor their contributions, Lion’s Roar is offering a special free viewing of The Women of Wisdom Summit this weekend — an online gathering of renowned scholars, thought leaders, and Buddhist teachers, all coming together to celebrate the wisdom of the feminine spirit. I’ve found deep inspiration in each of the talks and practices shared in this summit. The empowering insights of these extraordinary teachers have not only illuminated my own path, but strengthened my sense of belonging and pride as a woman. Below, you’ll find an excerpt from Lama Tsultrim Allione’s teaching in the summit, along with two more teachings that highlight the contributions, experiences, and wisdom of Buddhist women. I invite you to explore further by signing up for The Women of Wisdom Summit. We’d be honored to have you with us. —Lilly Greenblatt, Digital Editor, Lion’s Roar Video: Lama Tsultrim Allione on Honoring the Sacredness of Women and Nature In this powerful teaching, Lama Tsultrim Allione explores the connection between patriarchy, the suppression of women, and the destruction of nature. By reclaiming the sacredness of women, the earth, and life itself, says Lama Tsultrim Allione, we can begin to heal ourselves and our planet. ADVERTISEMENT Mahaprajapati’s Daughters If there’s a mother of Buddhism, says Andrea Miller, it’s Mahaprajapati, the historical Buddha’s aunt. In women dharma teachers throughout the ages, we see a continuation of her strength and practicality, her wisdom and compassion. Mahaprajapati worked within the bounds of what was possible, and she pushed those bounds and then pushed them further. She is not only the founder of the Buddhist bhikkhuni lineage, but also a role model for all the women Buddhist teachers and practitioners who need to resourcefully find a way to get by in this world, which is not always just. In the millennia of women Buddhist teachers, we can see echoes of Mahaprajapati’s fortitude and practicality, her wisdom and compassion. Liberation for All Women   What are the challenges for today’s Buddhist women, and how can they be overcome? Mihiri Tillakaratne discusses these pressing questions with Lama Karma Chotso, Arisika Razak, Sharon Suh, and Brooke Schedneck. Mihiri Tillakaratne: What does a “Buddhist feminism” or a “Buddhist feminist practice” mean to you? Sharon Suh: It’s an attentiveness to the ways in which women, women’s bodies, and everything related to being female-identified has not been the norm, and renorming that. What makes Buddhist feminisms Buddhist for me is the liberatory aspect, which includes everyone, not just women. It’s about liberating ourselves from the epistemic violence that that we encounter and reproduce every day. It’s how we view others. Buddhist feminisms are deeply political and deeply connected to bodies. I don’t know how to be Buddhist without being a feminist.