In a landmark moment for interfaith academic dialogue, Venerable Miao Guang, Deputy Director of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, became the first Buddhist bhikkhuni (fully ordained nun) to deliver a formal scholarly presentation at Trinity College, University of Toronto. She was invited by Provost Dr. Nicholas Terpstra to speak at the academic symposium held on April 16, themed “Women, Prophecy, and Political Theology in the 15th–17th Century.”

The symposium gathered over 50 scholars, students, and religious leaders from diverse faith backgrounds to examine the influential roles of women in shaping theology, religious institutions, and social transformation throughout history. Among the attendees were Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, seven monastics, and members of the Buddha’s Light International Association.

Venerable Miao Guang’s presentation explored the critical contributions of Buddhist women—particularly bhikkhunis—during the 15th to 17th centuries. She emphasized that these women were not passive participants, but active agents in the evolution of Buddhist doctrine and institutions through scriptural interpretation, educational leadership, and community engagement.

Highlighting exemplary figures such as Bhikkhuni Zhi Yuan Xing Gang (智願行剛) and Bhikkhuni Mi Yun Yuan Wu (密雲圓悟), she illustrated how these women helped shape Buddhist education and spiritual life. Quoting from the Samyutta Nikaya, she reinforced Buddhism’s non-dualistic perspective on gender and enlightenment:

“When mind awakens, there is no maleor female. Form is empty; who is left to bind the Dharma?”

She also discussed the Buddhist concept of prophecy (授記), which affirms that women can receive the Buddha’s prediction of future enlightenment, challenging long-standing cultural assumptions about spiritual limitations based on gender. Furthermore, she spoke about the enlightened being’s equanimous awareness of death, offering insights relevant to contemporary reflections on faith and mortality.

During the closing session, Dr.Terpstra described Venerable Miao Guang’s presentation as “inspiring” and “a historic first” for Trinity College. He highlighted the significance of including a bhikkhuni scholar in academic discourse and expressed hope for continued collaboration with the Buddhist community.

The symposium also featured scholars including Emma Anderson, Eleonora Cappuccilli, Laura Ingallinella, and Alan Verskin, who explored related themes within Catholicism, Judaism, and other traditions. A lively Q&A session followed, with attendees remarking on the profound value of a Buddhist perspective in expanding understandings of women’s spiritual authority across religious histories.

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