Symposium on Sexual Violence in Buddhism
Centering Survivor Voices
The topic of abuse, particularly sexual abuse in Buddhism is quite fraught for Western audiences, perhaps especially for those like myself who unwittingly believed in an idealized image, and accepted the idea of Buddhist exceptionalism—that Buddhism was different from other religions, an exception.
This symposium faces such fraught issues headon.
Two of the participants are, I think, particularly significant. In 2019, at the encouragement of my friend and colleague Georgios Halkias, Hong Kong University, I had an opportunity to participate in the Third International Conference on Vajrayana Buddhism: Techniques of Vajrayana in Bhutan. Perhaps the most memorable presentation was titled “Guru Yoga—The Essence to the Path to Enlightenment and the Intricacies of Guru-Disciple Relations in the 21st Century,” by Tenzin Dadon (Sonam Wangmo) and Karma Tashi Choedron—who are to open the symposium announced below.
Their paper in the proceedings of the Bhutan conference is perhaps the most cogent presentation of guru yoga that I’ve encountered in my own meager inquiries into the topic. However, the published version differs from what I recall of the version as presented, which addressed much more explicitly the issue of abuse of the guru-disciple relation. The two authors (both nuns) were criticized strenuously by (male) members of the audience, even being confronted with some hostility in the conference hotel later that same evening. Throughout all of that they remained steadfast, and unperturbed—what the old novels would call “unruffled.” They were quite inspirational in their behavior, not responding to anger with anger.
Like gurus they inspired me to greater self-reflection.
Announcement from the listserve “H-Buddhism”
Dear Buddhist Studies Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following upcoming symposium taking place (in person) at Northwestern University on Oct. 25, 2024. Talks will be recorded and will likely be made available online.
In-person registration link: https://forms.gle/psjWDBcgYX5vDSYC6
Heartwood/Northwestern Symposium on Sexual Violence in Buddhism: Centering Survivor Voices
Friday October 25, 2024, Northwestern University, Norris University Center, The Lake Room
9:00 am Welcome from Nancy Floy and Sarah Jacoby
9:15am Choela Tenzin Dadon and Karma Tashi Chodron: “Sacred Spaces, Silent Suffering: Sexual Abuse in Tibetan Buddhist Contexts”
10:30am Somtsobum: “The Demoness Who Embodies Wisdom: Gender, Violence, and Justice in Tibetan Short Stories”
11:15am Willa Baker : “Coming Forward: The Treacherous and Empowering Path of Breaking Silence”
1:30 pm Survivors’ Roundtable: “Centering Survivors’ Voices,” moderated by Rachel Bernstein: Catherine Pilfrey, Nancy Floy, Rachel Montgomery, Caroline DeVane, Linda Modaro
2:30 pm Chandana Namal Rathnayake: "Buddhism and Sexual Abuse: A Burden on Sri Lankan Buddhist Children"
3:30pm Carol Merchasin: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Can the Legal System Offer Justice to Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Spiritual Communities?”
4:15 pm "What Can Buddhist Studies Offer Survivors?" A Roundtable Discussion with Buddhist Studies Scholars featuring Kali Cape/Pema Khandro, Damchö Diana Finnegan, Ann Gleig, Sarah Jacoby, & Amy Paris Langenberg
5:15-5:30 pm Final takeaways
Conference organizers: Nancy Floy, Sarah Jacoby, Ann Gleig & Amy Langenberg
Contact Information
Sarah Jacoby
Professor
Department of Religious Studies
Northwestern University
Contact Email
s-jacoby@northwestern.edu
URL
https://religious-studies.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/tenure-track-faculty/…
Attachments
Heartwood/Northwestern Symposium Flyer
