Dr. Sharon Suh, known in the Seattle area as a Seattle University professor, has been appointed president of Sakyadhita, a leading global organization of Buddhist women.
Photos by: Sarah Eltantawi, Tamara C. Ho, Sakyadhita, Marie-Antoinette Smith

Seattle Buddhist leader Dr. Sharon Suh this year was chosen president of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women, considered by many the most important organization for Buddhist women in the world.

Suh, a professor who for 21 years has taught Buddhism and related subjects at Seattle University, will now also be leading Sakyadhita into the online dharma world. Sakyadhita translates as “daughters of the Buddha,” based on Pali and Sanskrit languages.

Suh teaching a Northwest class in mindful eating.

Currently Suh is leading planning for Sakydhita’s 2021 global conference, which will be the first to be held online. The title of the December 24-28 conference is “Buddhist Women Beyond Boundaries: Interfaith, Interdependence, and Environment.”

Since its founding Sakyadhita has held 16 such conferences around the world, every two years, attracting women Buddhist leaders from many nations. Currently Sakyadhita has 2,000 members from 40 countries.

As a scholar focused on Buddhist perspectives on gender, race and trauma, Suh is particularly interested in global conversations about how Buddhist women have addressed multiple forms of trauma through Buddhist thought and practice. 

Suh earned a doctorate degree in Buddhist studies from Harvard University. At Seattle University she teaches courses in Buddhist thought and practice; Buddhism and film; Buddhism, gender and sexuality; socially engaged Buddhism; introduction to mindfulness; and yoga: history and practice. Suh is married, with two daughters.

Suh with her mindful eating-conscious living cohort at Great Vow Monastery in Portland.

Suh in February 2021 was elected by Sakyadhita members to a renewable two-year term as president. She was nominated by Sakyadhita co-founder Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo.

Suh’s nomination was based on her extensive research in Buddhism, women and gender, as well as her administrative experience.

As president Suh convenes and chairs all board meetings, and functions as the chief executive officer and primary representative of Sakyadhita. Her duties include supervising business and affairs, and representing Sakyadhita at public forums. She also guides the organization in accomplishing its goals.

The organization has been gaining momentum ever since its inception in 1987, when the Dalai Lama, who is supportive of the organization, was the keynote speaker.

Suh signing her book, “Occupy This Body,” about her journey from an abusive childhood.

The titles of prior Sakyadhita international conferences offer glimpses into key issues over the years. For example, the first conference in 1987 in Bodhgaya, India was titled “Buddhist Nuns.”

The 6^th conference in 2000 in Nepal was titled “Women as Peacemakers: Self, Family, Community, World.”

 The 10^th conference in 2008 in Mongolia was titled “Buddhism in Transition: Tradition, Changes, and Challenges.” 

The 13^th conference in 2013 in India was titled “Buddhism at the Grassroots.”

Suh presents the keynote at the 9th Sakyadhita Conference in Malaysia in 2006, on the theme “Buddhist Women in a Global Multicultural Community.”

The most recent conference, in 2019 in Australia, was titled “New Horizons In Buddhism.”

Leading up to the 2021 conference, Suh is overseeing the international executive committee and program committee to ensure a smooth and successful event. The conference will explore how Buddhist women can transcend traditional boundaries to promote the Buddha’s teachings, while responding to social and political issues in the world today. Both academic research and personal experience are very much encouraged at Sakyadhita’s conferences.  

As noted in the conference call for papers, the global Buddhist community is deeply connected. It says:

“We face unprecedented challenges including environmental and health threats that affect us all, and bold, collaborative solutions are needed…(to) explore how Buddhist women can work together and go beyond boundaries to lead wise and compassionate responses to issues in the world at large.”

Theravada nuns chanting at the opening ceremony  of the 8th Sakyadhita Conference in Seoul, Korea.

Suh and team are planning for nuns and female laity from different cultures and Buddhist traditions to represent the sangha for the conference’s opening and closing ceremonies.

The conference will be filled with inspiring gatherings and information, with panels and workshops accommodating time zones around the world. Everything will be recorded.

Of particular significance is Sakyadhita’s role leading the full ordination of women as monastics.

“The full ordination of Buddhist nuns has been widely contested and many Buddhist countries do not accept the full ordination of Buddhist nuns,” Suh said. “However, due to many grassroots efforts led by members of Sakyadhita, we have seen the re-establishment of the full bhikkhuni ordination in countries such as Sri Lanka.”

Participants gathered from all over the Himalayas and abroad for the 4th Sakyadhita International Conference in Leh, Ladakh.

“When we come together as Buddhist women at Sakyadhita conferences,” she said, “we are able to witness the strength and status of fully ordained nuns from other Mahayana Buddhist countries, that provide incredible inspiration and hope for the many women who are required to remain novice nuns.” 

Suh said this is an exciting time of building the organization. Volunteer opportunities include translating documents, creating social media accounts, creating a digital archive of all Sakyadhita activities that will be widely accessible, and fundraising. Check the website for further information.

Suh said the title of the 2021 conference – “Buddhist Women Beyond Boundaries: Interfaith, Interdependence, and Environment” – shows where the organization is headed. Some key objectives are:

Inviting the Buddha to attend the 4th Sakyadhita International Conference.

• to foster an international network of communications among Buddhist women
• to encourage education and training projects for Buddhist women
• to promote the education of women as teachers
• to provide guidance and assistance to Buddhist women interested in meditation and ordination
• to conduct research and prepare publications on topics of interest to Buddhist women
• to promote the physical and spiritual welfare of the world’s Buddhist women
• to work toward an international bhikkhunī sangha

Women started Sakyadhita at a grassroots level with deep commitment and compassion, on a minimal budget. As Sakyadhita expands with more infrastructure, more projects, and a board of directors from many different countries with regional chapters, we congratulate Suh  on her position as president. We wish her and Sakyadhita all the best. 

Keep your eyes on the Daughters of the Buddha. These women are shining!