Nalanda Institute is very honored to present a lecture by Dr. Elisabeth Benard on the role and contributions of leading female practioners in the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Dr. Benard teaches in the Asian Studies program at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma. She has been researching the lives of these women for many years and has interviewed many of the living women leaders in the Sakya Order.

Dr. Benard will give a brief overview of the role of nuns and female practioners in Tibetan Buddhism generally and then talk about her specific research on the leading women practioners in the Sakya Order.

The Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism was established in the 11th and 12th centuries by the outstanding realization and efforts of five members of the Khon family, an illustrious family within Tibet. The leadership of the Sakya order has continued to pass from generation to generation among male descendants of the Khon family. There are numerous biographies about the many sons of the Khon lineage who became "trizins" or heads of the lineage. It is rare, however, to find information about the daughters (Jetsunmas) even though they were given the same religious training and many were excellent practitioners, skilled teachers accomplished adepts. Dr. Benard's interviews and research are now filling in some of this picture.

Again, Nalanda is very honored to host such an accomplished scholar as Dr. Benard and we hope you can attend what promises to be a most interesting lecture.