Bangkok Podcast 66: Bhikkuni Suvijjana

In our continuing Buddhism series, we are joined by a special
guest, Bhikkuni Suvijjana, a female monk who is visiting Thailand
from the US. Female monks are rare, but the tide is slowly
turning, and Bhikkuni Suvijjana gives us an interesting look into
how she sees Buddhism on a daily basis.


From differences in how female monks must act in public, to the
efforts to promote all-female monasteries to eschewing virtual
communities like Facebook and Twitter to focus on building real
communities, she shares some of the challenges she faces. But
it's not all hardship - she tells us of the great relationship
she has with her son, now a grown musician, laughs at the time
some Christian missionaries tried to convert her, and ponders the
differences between how British and Thai immigration treat female
monks.


We're also joined by Kathleen Speake, Executive Director of ECPAT
International, an organization dedicated to eliminating child
prostitution and the underage sex trade. She tells us about the
projects they have going right now, and how easy it is for you,
me, and everyone, to visit a Body Shop store and help contribute
to a very important initiative that will affect positive change
in the lives of a great number of abused children.


And don't forget to check out our sponsor Village in the City, a
great new company that takes old, run-down Thai houses and fixes
them up into trendy lofts and condos with style. If you're
looking for a funky, well-built place to live close to downtown,
check them out.