A Look into the Virtual 17th Sakyadhita Conference for Buddhist Women

The Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women hosted its 17th conference in late December for the first time since the global pandemic began in 2019. Although originally scheduled to take place in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia, conference organizers had to pivot to an online format for the first time due to safety concerns around the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Over 1,000 monastics, laypeople, scholars, and practitioners gathered online to explore the conference’s theme of  “Buddhist Women Beyond Boundaries: Interfaith, Interdependence, Environment” through an array of panels, talks, and workshops.

“The pivot to the online format went remarkably well,” commented Sakyadhita President Sharon Suh. “We managed to maintain intimacy among participants and keep with much of the traditional ceremonial opening and closing…