In this episode, I speak with Ayyā Dhammadīpā, a fully ordained bhikkhuni in the Theravāda tradition and a Dharma transmitted priest in the Shunryu Suzuki lineage of Soto Zen. We talk about the Buddhist community she founded in Alexandria, VA, and discuss the importance of bringing Buddhist practice out of the “cave of monasticism” and into the bright lights of city life. We discuss how the teachings of the Buddha can assist social and political change agents—and us all—with finding more harmony within to help heal the delusion of division that is rife inside the Beltway and around the globe.
Ayyā Dhammadīpā, the founder of Dassanāya Buddhist Community, has been practicing Buddhism since 1987. She is a fully ordained bhikkhuni in the Theravāda tradition, and a Dharma transmitted teacher in the Suzuki Roshi lineage of Soto Zen. In addition to English, Ayyā teaches in Spanish, an expression of her Latin heritage. She is an author whose work has appeared in the Buddhist magazines, "Lion's Roar" and "Buddhadharma." Her recent book is titled, Gifts Greater Than the Oceans: Benefits of the Buddhist Practice of Giving. Ayyā is the mother of a lovely adult daughter, and enjoys sewing and watercolor painting.
If you’d like to study with Ayyā Dhammadīpā, check out her online class Introduction to Buddhism, which begins on January 30th.
Beltway Buddhism: Practicing Peace Amid Politics