In the summer of 2020, an effort began to revive the Sakyadhita UK chapter, which had been dormant since 2010. Prompted by a social media thread about Buddhist women teachers and with input from Sakyadhita International, a meeting was organised of women interested in reviving Sakyadhita UK.
The first meeting included Karma Lekshe Tsomo of Sakyadhita International, Jack Wicks of Sakyadhita Australia, as well as around a dozen UK women, a handful of whom now form Sakyadhita UK’s ‘development group’. In subsequent meetings, we developed processes and platforms, from a website and Facebook page to a GDPR policy and GDPR-compliant mailing list. We also looked at organisational structure, ultimately deciding to adapt the previous constitution, which positions us as a constituted group (not a registered charity) as well as a branch of Sakyadhita International.
These months of behind-the-scenes work prepared us to move forward with purpose and clarity. At the same time, it’s useful to look back at the roots of Sakyadhita UK to understand how and when it came to be, as well as key aspects of its history.
History of Sakyadhita UK, 1987-2010
1987-2006
Following on from the First ever International Conference on Buddhist Nuns held in Bodhgaya India in 1987, committees for implementing the goals of Sakyadhita were set up and national representatives were appointed. Wendy Barzetovic was nominated to become the national representative and founder of Sakyadhita for England by Ven Karma Lekshe Tsomo.
Ven Ayya Khema introduced her to Jacquetta Gomes (Bodhicarani Upasika Jayasili), whose advice enabled a London Venue and a mailing list to begin and which was developed with the help of Ven Karma Lekshe Tsomo. Wendy maintained and developed Sakyadhita in England for eight years and was an executive member of Sakyadhita International for one year. Wendy networked and connected different people depending on their needs, sent out the Sakyadhita newsletter, fundraised and held meetings with invited guests such as Ven Ayya Khema and female speakers of different traditions to teach and speak at meetings. Sakyadhita England also acted as a signatory to invite HH The Dalai Lama to visit and teach in England, as part of the Network of Buddhist Organisations.
Wendy stood down as representative before the birth of her second child, when another representative was appointed.
2007-2010
On November 10, 2007, Sakyadhita UK was set up through the work of new committee of members BhikṣuṇīKönchog Jinpa Khandro (Beatrice Jutta Gassner), Wendy Barzetovic and Sue Bloy.
They attended various functions, held ‘Council’ meetings to see what women in the UK wanted from Sakyadhita UK or what they could contribute. They held a fundraiser and regular meetings around the country. They held AGMs appointing new members to the committee including Venerable Tsultrim Tenzin Choesang who conducted a number of Tsa Tsa workshops and teachings. They also raised donations for two Buddhist Nunneries.
Venerable Tsuiltrim Tenzin Choesang, an international member of Sakyadhita, joined Sakyadhita UK and became the membership secretary on the committee soon after, at an AGM held at Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London. Venerable became Co-Chairman along with Sister Acharya Modgala who represented Sakyadhita UK at the 11th Sakyadhita International Conference in Vietnam December 28th 2009 – January 3rd 2010 and presented a paper to conference members. Caroline Starkey also joined the committee and represented the group at a Sakyadhita International conference, giving a paper on the current state of Buddhist Nuns in the UK.
Venerable Tsultrim Tenzin Choesang remained as the main contact for Sakyadhita until the recent interest in reviving Sakyadhita UK. Sue Bloy still remains as Treasurer to Sakyadhita UK. Wendy, Sue and Jacquetta Gomes are supporting the reformation of Sakyadhita UK as members of the development group, with a new group of committed Buddhist women, with the support of Karma Lekshe Tsomo.
8 May, 2021