Bhikshuni

Bhikshuni is still striving to create more awareness of the Sangha presence in the USA and abroad. Focusing on the USA we have been active in our local areas with regular programs about Buddhism and those interested in meditation. We are also searching for land to provide the headquarters for our national organization and serve our Sangha community in realistic ways by providing access to resources and education in meeting their needs while remaining robed in the West.

Our first strategy has been met, establish a presence in Iowa. We have been here since 2006 Feb 22. And while being here were have persistently remained active in the community. We are stabilizing our presence while being independent of a space or burdened by one. We are now in our second phase where we are comfortably trained in management of a residence and setting up the infrastructure for the permanent site in a home or a piece of land where construction of a space would be required.

In 2018 we are improving our financial stability by seeking professional training for our board and our interested supporters. That training will be complete in August this year. Financial future planning underway for projected donations and a budget will be set in anticipation to provide a set venue for activity for local Buddhists and interested public.

As there is one Bhikshuni for this state of Iowa we are limited in reach so we focused on social networking, google+, website and blog management. At the moment we have 5 volunteers who are part time and on call for help. We are getting the calendar year schedule set up for public events and fundraising.

In 2006 establishing the organization after becoming very active in hospital and home visits was the biggest accomplishment. Then from 2006-2007 local assessment of needs became apparent with repeated requests for participating in public events. in 2008 to 2009 a Buddha Hall was opened to test the community response, it received little interest and the project was ended after 9 months. The master knew little about advertising and didn't feel that cost of advertising was met by donations which did not cover the rent of the space. In 2009 to present the master spent her time traveling to large events and small events in central Iowa. She decided and started and online presence and published 9 books on Buddha Dharma during this time. She helped connect UNI with people hosting the Dalai Lama and later the Buddha Relics. Due to recent requests in 2012 to 2013 a land search has been underway. At this point fundraising will be undertaken in the upcoming Fall of 2013 to raise approximately $20,000 towards a land purchase.

We failed to raise the necessary funding for land purchase. So we have changed our strategy for donations and are undertaking professional training in this summer of 2018.