MONGOLIA REFLECTIONS 2008
The 10th Sakyadhita International Women’s Conference in Mongolia is now a memory – a most pleasant one I might add. The conference theme was: “Buddhism in Transition: Tradition, Changes and Challenges” and was held from July 1st to 5th, 2008 in Ulaanbaatar. There were 150 international participants and over 200 Mongolian women in attendance. I was delighted to be a participant, presenter and organizer at this conference, and then to join in the spiritual pilgrimage in Mongolia and Siberia.
Nuns from many traditions
Donations were received from many friends and students to help sponsor a nun or laywoman to attend the conference. As it turned out our donation assisted two Theravadin bhikkhunis (nuns) – one from Burma and one from Nepal.
Bhikkhuni Sujata lives in Nepal and is a strong advocate for the nuns in Asia, and she also focuses much of her time and energy helping children in the poor areas of Nepal. She presented a paper “Buddhist Women of Nepal”.
Daw Kesaracari, from Burma has been studying in Singapore and is currently doing her doctorate degree in India. – With plans on returning to Burma. She presented a paper “Buddhist Nuns in Myanmar”.
Daw Kesaracari & Bhikkhuni Sujata
Our support of these two nuns will be wide spread as they continue to promote world peace through the teachings of the Buddha, develop programs and projects, and support Buddhists (particularly women and children) in Asia.
May you all receive many wholesome fruits for your kindness.
Anumodana (delighting in your generosity),
Jayanta
About Shirley Jayanta Johannesen
Shirley Jayanta, founder and president of Stretch Awareness, is an acknowledged and respected teacher of yoga and meditation. Shirley graduated from the Canadian Society of Radiological Technicians in Quebec and holds a Bachelor of General Studies (with a major in Kinesiology) from Alberta.
Jayanta & Mongolian Tibetan Drums
For the last 37 years she has studied and practised with a wide range of internationally known yoga and meditation teachers. In yoga, Jayanta has an Advanced Teacher Training certificate from Dona Holleman (Italy) and Orit Sen-Gupta (Israel). She also holds a permanent teacher certification from the Yoga Association of Alberta, and is certified with the Yoga Centre of Calgary. Her introduction to yoga was in the late 1960's and since then she has studied and practised with many senior teachers in the lineage's of Sivananda and Krishnamacharya. She is a founding member of the Yoga Association of Alberta, the Yoga Centre of Calgary and the Canadian Iyengar Yoga Association.
In meditation Jayanta has trained extensively in the Theravada Forest tradition, and is a member of CALM (Community of Abhayagiri Lay Ministers) at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, California. Her first introduction to Buddhism was in 1974 when she met and studied with the late Anagarika Dhamma Dinna, and under Anagarika's guidance she began a weekly sitting/study group, teaching meditation classes and leading Vipassana retreats. The following is a list of Buddhist teachers she has studied with: Venerable Ajahn Pasanno, Venerable Ajahn Amaro, Venerable Achan Sobin Namto, Venerable Sister Ayya Khema, Venerable Nayaka Thera Piyadassi Thera, Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Maha Nayaka Thera.
Jayanta at Holy Shrine (Siberia)
Jayanta is a founding member of the Calgary Theravadan Meditation Society, the Light of the Dhamma and the Canadian International Buddhist Foundation. She has also been the Canadian representative for Sakyadhita.
Jayanta shares her knowledge and expertise through meditation retreats, yoga workshops, private consultations and teacher training (advance studies). Her audio-visual productions include the yoga video: Stretch Breathe Relax and audio tapes: Relaxation Circle and Meditation Circle.
STRETCH-AWARENESS
213-5300 Huston Road
Peachland, B.C. V0H 1X2
Phone|Fax: (250) 767-6784
E-Mail: Shirley