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Carola Roloff

November 23, 2023

Carola Roloff (born 1959 in Holzminden, West Germany) is a German Buddhist nun. Her monastic name is Bhiksuni Jampa Tsedroen. An active teacher, translator, author, and speaker, she is instrumental in campaigning for equal rights for Buddhist nuns.

Carola Roloff
Roloff
Born1959
Holzminden, West Germany
NationalityGerman
OccupationBuddhist nun
Websitehttp://www.carolaroloff.de/

Early and religious life edit

Born in Holzminden, West Germany to a Protestant family, Roloff was active in her local Christian youth group. When she was 18 years old, the suicide of a friend's family member caused Roloff to question God and life. Doubting the source of suffering, Roloff recalls that she "couldn't get any satisfactory answers from Christian ministers."[1] As a result, she turned to the Buddhist philosophy and began her Buddhist studies and life in 1980, aged 21. She travelled to Dharamshala, India in order to study Vajrayana Buddhism and the Tibetan language, before becoming a novice at the age of 22[2]—one of the first Tibetan Buddhist nuns in Germany.[1] Her ordination as a novice was performed by Geshe Thubten Ngawang on 22 September 1981 at the Tibetan Centre Hamburg.[3] Geshe Thubten was also her spiritual teacher until his death in 2003. On 6 December 1985, Roloff received her full ordination into the Dharmaguptaka lineage at the Miao-tung monastery in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. She kept her novice name Jampa Tsedroen.[3] In Tibetan, Jampa means "maitrī" "loving kindness" (Pali: mettā) and "Tsedroen" means "lamp of life". While being ordained in the Dharmagupta tradition,[1] Roloff is practising in the Tibetan Mulasarvastivada tradition.

Following her ordination, Roloff became active in translation, in the management of the Tibetan Centre in Hamburg, and in campaigning for equal opportunities for nuns. As well as English and her native German, she is fluent in Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Pali.[4] With the help of her teacher Geshe Thubten, Roloff translated the sojong vows for bhiksunis into English, thereby greatly aiding Western Tibetan nuns in the ritual.[5] Further aiding the research and study of students around the world, Roloff helped digitise scripture and other Buddhist texts.[6] Roloff is also a Tibetologist and is working on her Ph.D. thesis at the University of Hamburg.[7] In keeping with Buddhist practices, she helps refugees at the Tibetan Centre Hamburg and guides and teaches Buddhist students.[8]

A nun now for over two decades, Roloff's busy and hectic schedule leaves her little time to nurture her own spiritual life. In an interview with Vasana Chinvarakorn of the Bangkok Post, she stated, "I feel I haven't practised enough. I've accumulated merits and increased a little bit of wisdom, but still my time for meditation and retreat is not enough." Serving the community, however, is faithful to her bodhisattva vow and is Roloff's priority over her own personal development.[8]

Female ordination in Buddhism edit

Ordaining female nuns, or bhiksunis, in the Tibetan tradition has been met with resistance from many Tibetan monks. Roloff is determined to change this reluctance to allow women into the tradition. As well as campaigning for a change of opinion, she is instrumental in helping to determine how females can best be accommodated, both in the tradition itself and in sanghas (mutually supportive communities). Fortunately for Roloff, this imposing challenge has been supported by the 14th Dalai Lama. At an international conference for Buddhist women in 1987, Roloff recalls him saying to her, "...'You women have to fight for it [bhikkhuni ordination]. You cannot expect the monks to serve it to you.'..." As well as lecturing and writing on the subject, Roloff conducts research with other monks and nuns to help strengthen their position. The Vinaya scriptures, for example, show that the Buddha accepted the role of women as nuns in search of enlightenment, and Roloff therefore often quotes this text.[8]

Management and advisory board activities edit

Since 1981, Roloff has served in several committees and has sat on the boards of directors of a few organisations. Her current roles include being a member of the Committee of Western Bhikshunis, a member of the Bhikkhuni Ordination Committee for the Central Tibetan Administration, and she serves as an advisory board member at the Centre for Buddhist Studies, University of Hamburg.[4]

Literary works edit

Roloff has written several papers, given numerous lectures, and has two published works.[4][9] Relevance of Vinaya in Modern Circumstances was published in 1991 and A Brief Survey of the Vinaya: Its Origin, Transmission, and Arrangement from the Tibetan Point of View with Comparisons to the Theravāda and Dharmagupta Traditions in 1992.[10][11]

Recognition edit

In conjunction with the United Nation's International Women's Day, the International Congress for Buddhist Women presented Roloff with the Outstanding Women in Buddhism award, on 7 March 2007, at the United Nations centre in Bangkok.[3][12]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c Chaisatien, Aree (1 April 2007). . The Nation. Nation Multimedia Group. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  2. ^ . Hall of Outstanding Women in Buddhism. The Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards. 2007. Archived from the original on 2017-09-24. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  3. ^ a b c . International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha Bhikshuni Vinaya and Ordination Lineages. University of Hamburg. 21 February 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  4. ^ a b c . Biography. Archived from the original on August 26, 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  5. ^ Khadro, Sangye. . International Mahayana Institute. Foundation of the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition. Archived from the original on 2009-06-07. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  6. ^ Martin, Dan (May 2006). . Art and Exhibitions. The Tibetan Mongolian Museum Society. Archived from the original on 2009-08-10. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  7. ^ . Sakyadhita in Europe. Sakyadhita International. 2007. Archived from the original on January 5, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  8. ^ a b c Chinvarakorn, Vasana (25 March 2007). "An equal chance at enlightenment". Bangkok Post. The Buddhist Channel. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  9. ^ Carola Roloff, publications
  10. ^ Tsedroen, Jampa (1991). Relevance of Vinaya in Modern Circumstances. Thammasat University.
  11. ^ Tsedroen, Jampa (1992). A Brief Survey of the Vinaya: Its Origin, Transmission, and Arrangement from the Tibetan Point of View with Comparisons to the Theravāda and Dharmagupta Traditions. Foundation for Tibetan Buddhism. ISBN 978-3-927862-15-9.
  12. ^ Roloff, Carola (7 March 2007). . International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha Bhikshuni Vinaya and Ordination Lineages. University of Hamburg. Archived from the original on 2007-07-23. Retrieved 2009-05-04.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Jampa Tsedroen (website)
  • Post-Doc Researcher Akademie der Weltreligionen
  • Principal Investigator DFG Project on Buddhist Nuns
  • Faculty member Center for Buddhist Studies
  • Member of the Committee for Bhikshuni Ordination in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition

November 23, 2023
carola, roloff, born, 1959, holzminden, west, germany, german, buddhist, monastic, name, bhiksuni, jampa, tsedroen, active, teacher, translator, author, speaker, instrumental, campaigning, equal, rights, buddhist, nuns, roloffborn1959holzminden, west, germanyn. Carola Roloff born 1959 in Holzminden West Germany is a German Buddhist nun Her monastic name is Bhiksuni Jampa Tsedroen An active teacher translator author and speaker she is instrumental in campaigning for equal rights for Buddhist nuns Carola RoloffRoloffBorn1959Holzminden West GermanyNationalityGermanOccupationBuddhist nunWebsitehttp www carolaroloff de Contents 1 Early and religious life 2 Female ordination in Buddhism 3 Management and advisory board activities 4 Literary works 5 Recognition 6 See also 7 Notes 8 External linksEarly and religious life editBorn in Holzminden West Germany to a Protestant family Roloff was active in her local Christian youth group When she was 18 years old the suicide of a friend s family member caused Roloff to question God and life Doubting the source of suffering Roloff recalls that she couldn t get any satisfactory answers from Christian ministers 1 As a result she turned to the Buddhist philosophy and began her Buddhist studies and life in 1980 aged 21 She travelled to Dharamshala India in order to study Vajrayana Buddhism and the Tibetan language before becoming a novice at the age of 22 2 one of the first Tibetan Buddhist nuns in Germany 1 Her ordination as a novice was performed by Geshe Thubten Ngawang on 22 September 1981 at the Tibetan Centre Hamburg 3 Geshe Thubten was also her spiritual teacher until his death in 2003 On 6 December 1985 Roloff received her full ordination into the Dharmaguptaka lineage at the Miao tung monastery in Kaohsiung Taiwan She kept her novice name Jampa Tsedroen 3 In Tibetan Jampa means maitri loving kindness Pali metta and Tsedroen means lamp of life While being ordained in the Dharmagupta tradition 1 Roloff is practising in the Tibetan Mulasarvastivada tradition Following her ordination Roloff became active in translation in the management of the Tibetan Centre in Hamburg and in campaigning for equal opportunities for nuns As well as English and her native German she is fluent in Tibetan Sanskrit and Pali 4 With the help of her teacher Geshe Thubten Roloff translated the sojong vows for bhiksunis into English thereby greatly aiding Western Tibetan nuns in the ritual 5 Further aiding the research and study of students around the world Roloff helped digitise scripture and other Buddhist texts 6 Roloff is also a Tibetologist and is working on her Ph D thesis at the University of Hamburg 7 In keeping with Buddhist practices she helps refugees at the Tibetan Centre Hamburg and guides and teaches Buddhist students 8 A nun now for over two decades Roloff s busy and hectic schedule leaves her little time to nurture her own spiritual life In an interview with Vasana Chinvarakorn of the Bangkok Post she stated I feel I haven t practised enough I ve accumulated merits and increased a little bit of wisdom but still my time for meditation and retreat is not enough Serving the community however is faithful to her bodhisattva vow and is Roloff s priority over her own personal development 8 Female ordination in Buddhism editOrdaining female nuns or bhiksunis in the Tibetan tradition has been met with resistance from many Tibetan monks Roloff is determined to change this reluctance to allow women into the tradition As well as campaigning for a change of opinion she is instrumental in helping to determine how females can best be accommodated both in the tradition itself and in sanghas mutually supportive communities Fortunately for Roloff this imposing challenge has been supported by the 14th Dalai Lama At an international conference for Buddhist women in 1987 Roloff recalls him saying to her You women have to fight for it bhikkhuni ordination You cannot expect the monks to serve it to you As well as lecturing and writing on the subject Roloff conducts research with other monks and nuns to help strengthen their position The Vinaya scriptures for example show that the Buddha accepted the role of women as nuns in search of enlightenment and Roloff therefore often quotes this text 8 Management and advisory board activities editSince 1981 Roloff has served in several committees and has sat on the boards of directors of a few organisations Her current roles include being a member of the Committee of Western Bhikshunis a member of the Bhikkhuni Ordination Committee for the Central Tibetan Administration and she serves as an advisory board member at the Centre for Buddhist Studies University of Hamburg 4 Literary works editRoloff has written several papers given numerous lectures and has two published works 4 9 Relevance of Vinaya in Modern Circumstances was published in 1991 and A Brief Survey of the Vinaya Its Origin Transmission and Arrangement from the Tibetan Point of View with Comparisons to the Theravada and Dharmagupta Traditions in 1992 10 11 Recognition editIn conjunction with the United Nation s International Women s Day the International Congress for Buddhist Women presented Roloff with the Outstanding Women in Buddhism award on 7 March 2007 at the United Nations centre in Bangkok 3 12 See also editTherigatha Ayya Khema Sister Uppalavanna Sister Vajira Women in BuddhismNotes edit a b c Chaisatien Aree 1 April 2007 Lighting the Way A Western bhikkhuni is spearheading the first international congress on the ordination of women in Buddhism The Nation Nation Multimedia Group Archived from the original on 8 January 2014 Retrieved 3 May 2009 2007 Award Recipients Hall of Outstanding Women in Buddhism The Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards 2007 Archived from the original on 2017 09 24 Retrieved 2009 05 03 a b c Press release 2 21 2007 Carola Roloff receives international award International Congress on Buddhist Women s Role in the Sangha Bhikshuni Vinaya and Ordination Lineages University of Hamburg 21 February 2007 Archived from the original on 2012 02 14 Retrieved 2009 05 03 a b c Carola Roloff Biography Archived from the original on August 26 2007 Retrieved 2009 05 03 Khadro Sangye Sojong Purifying and Restoring our Vows International Mahayana Institute Foundation of the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition Archived from the original on 2009 06 07 Retrieved 2009 05 03 Martin Dan May 2006 A Bronze Portrait Image of Lo ras pa s Disciple Tibetological Remarks on an Item in a Recent Asian Art Catalog Art and Exhibitions The Tibetan Mongolian Museum Society Archived from the original on 2009 08 10 Retrieved 2009 05 04 Female teachers Sakyadhita in Europe Sakyadhita International 2007 Archived from the original on January 5 2009 Retrieved 2009 05 04 a b c Chinvarakorn Vasana 25 March 2007 An equal chance at enlightenment Bangkok Post The Buddhist Channel Retrieved 2009 05 04 Carola Roloff publications Tsedroen Jampa 1991 Relevance of Vinaya in Modern Circumstances Thammasat University Tsedroen Jampa 1992 A Brief Survey of the Vinaya Its Origin Transmission and Arrangement from the Tibetan Point of View with Comparisons to the Theravada and Dharmagupta Traditions Foundation for Tibetan Buddhism ISBN 978 3 927862 15 9 Roloff Carola 7 March 2007 Acceptance Speech by Bhiksuni Jampa Tsedroen International Congress on Buddhist Women s Role in the Sangha Bhikshuni Vinaya and Ordination Lineages University of Hamburg Archived from the original on 2007 07 23 Retrieved 2009 05 04 External links editOfficial website Jampa Tsedroen website Post Doc Researcher Akademie der Weltreligionen Principal Investigator DFG Project on Buddhist Nuns Faculty member Center for Buddhist Studies Buddhist Teacher at Tibetisches Zentrum e V Member of the Committee for Bhikshuni Ordination in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Carola Roloff amp oldid 1166004449, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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