Oh, my heart.
You don’t have to go it alone.
Train yourself to train.
Just a little more gently.
—Jenta Bhikkuni
The roles, relationships, stories, and voices of women in Buddhism have largely been written out of history. But we know they were there. Their realization, teaching, and leadership—of mothers and daughters, queens and courtesans, widows and wives—is described in the poems of awakening found in the Therigatha, the earliest extant text of women’s spiritual experiences.
In this five-day program for mothers and daughters, we will explore women’s unique expression of spiritual life. Our time together will blend Buddhist meditation instruction, dharma talks recounting the lives of our early female ancestors, chanting, and time in nature. The teachings will focus on the cultivation of heart-based, relational practices, including compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness.
We are delighted to invite anyone who identifies as a mother or daughter to join us, with or without their family. Daughters ages 15-18 may attend with their mothers. Together, we will celebrate women’s wisdom, tenacity, tenderness, and joy.
This program is open to all those who identify as women, as well as non-binary people who feel nourished by spaces that center women’s stories and experiences. It will include periods of silence but will not be a fully silent program.
Program Format: We will include guided meditation, periods of silent stillness and moving, dharma talks, discussion and ritual. It will be more meditation than study, but will not be fully silent.
