Chris wrote:...
Well said, Ven Pesala. I think the unskilful method is what objections are being raised about - and it is being implied that to object to what Brahmavamso did is to oppose the ordination of women. This is not so.
...
While there is definitely one issue about procedure - and it seems indeed that the ordination issue might have been handled more skillfully (with hindsight at least)-, I think it has also been made clear by WPP that it DOES oppose the ordination of women within in the Theravada/Thai Forest tradition (in Thailand and it's branches abroad):
"... the Sangha of Wat Nong Pah Pong and its branches in Thailand and abroad had made a decision against ordaining Bhikkhunis, which was restated many times .... The individuals concerned cannot be considered Theravada Bhikkhunis, as this status contradicts the law of the Mahatherasamakhom, the Sangha administration of the Theravada order in Thailand. Ajahn Brahmavamso had been continually informed of this law ..."
http://www.dhammalight.com/official/WPP ... ation.html
With that in mind, it is interesting to see who does - and does not - focus exclusively on the
procedure issue while - perhaps conveniently - ignore the
content issue.
I was pleased to see that branches of Forest tradition in Germany have since stated their commitment to the "original" understanding of Dhamma-Vinaya and its intent to support the fourfold sangha-set up (monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen) as a community of equals (I couldn't find an English translation, otherwise I would have linked the statement).
I still hope that other sanghas will also take a positive stand in this matter.