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| Sunday, 21 March 2004 |
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Outstanding women in Buddhism : Two Sri Lankans honoured Ranjani de Silva and Erika Dias two Sri Lankans were among 15 women who were honoured by the UN for their contributions as Outstanding Women in Buddhism.
The event was held on March 4 in Bangkok in the presence of nearly a thousand persons at the UN ESCAP, to mark the UN International Women's Day. The 15 women came from nine countries ranging from Mexico in the West to Taiwan in the East according to a press release. Ranjani de Silva was attracted to the cause of oppressed Bhikkhunis and committed herself to help them and upgrade the Buddhist Nuns. Her help extended beyond Sri Lanka to Bhikkhunis from other countries near and far, who needed help - India, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, UK and Germany. She helped them as samaneras to achieve upasampadha. The Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist women was founded with these beginnings. She is the President of the Association. Some Bhikkhunis receiving awards at the Ceremony hailed her with great devotion and respect. She established an International Training Centre for Buddhist Nuns. Erika Dias was the other Sri Lankan selected for this prestigious honour. She had worked silently to spread the dhamma through the 13 books of poems and prose she had written in the past 15 years. She has won many awards from Thailand, Australia and the United States for her poetry including an Honourary Doctorate from World Academy of Arts & Culture in California in 1991. On invitation, she wrote poetry for the Royal Family in Thailand, especially for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit for her 60th birthday celebrations. During her 18-year stay in Thailand she worked as a consultant in UN ESCAP till 1987 and formed an international spiritual group. Members of this group are still continuing the work in different ways. She herself formed a spiritual group in Sri Lanka, "Enlightenment Seekers' Study Circle", after she returned home from Thailand seven years ago.
It was Venerable Bhikkuni Dr. Lee, a member of the Selection Committee, who nominated her for this award. She had become acquainted with her writing when Erika presented her with one of her books on dhamma nearly three years ago. The Venerable Bhikkuni had acquired some of her other books and had appreciated Erika's contribution to spreading the dhamma through her writing. She commented that "Her writings have encircled the world with peace". Venerable Dr. Lee introduced her at the Award Ceremony by saying, "Erika is an internationally famous poet". The ambassador for Switzerland to Thailand gave away the awards. The keynote address was made by one of the awardees, Dr. Carola Anduja Rolon from Mexico. She is the founder of Foundation Vimutti, the only organisation in Mexico devoted to spread the teachings of Buddha in her country. |
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