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August brought another joyful occasion and yet another milestone, as Bhante Sanathavihari took up the bodhisattva precepts in a jukai ceremony offered by Ayya. This means that Bhante, like Ayya, is committed to the 16 precepts of Zen in addition to the Theravada patimokkha, the more than 200 monastic precepts from early Buddhism. His Zen name is Nintoku Myoho, Virtue of Kindness-Bright Mountain Peak. Having observed these beautiful commitment ceremonies and learned about the bodhisattva precepts, more students are preparing for jukai with Ayya. In support of them, she formed a virtual precepts discussion group that includes both those who have already made the vows and those who are preparing for them. In October, the community came together for the annual Autumn Gathering, hosted in Alexandria by Stephen and in London by Ayya. It was a time for remembering our place within the broader sangha and for expressing gratitude and care. Ayya also had the honor of presenting at two panels at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Chicago, partly in relation to her work on the Board of Buddhist Global Relief. That gathering of 7,000 people of faith was very moving and one in which the voices of indigenous people, women, and the Sikh community were lifted up. Ayya spoke about the ordination of women in Buddhist traditions and about acting through partnerships to feed and educate some of the poorest people in India. All the while Ayya’s writing practice continued and this year her works were published in several Buddhist magazines - Tricycle, Buddhadharma, and BuddhistDoor. She was interviewed by BuddhistDoor en Español, a virtual, global Buddhist news magazine, in connection with their reporting on chaplaincy and what Buddhists bring to that profession. Her writings continue to appear on the “News” page of the Dassanāya website, as do her watercolor paintings and sketches on the “Art by Dhammadipa” page.
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