Episode 333 :: Pamela Weiss :: A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism

Pamela Weiss

Pamela Weiss joins us to speak about A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism.

One of the challenges to Buddhism in its encounter with modernity is its relationship to gender equality. The ordination of Bhikkhunis during Gotama’s lifetime was certainly ground breaking and progressive for the time, but times have changed, and in some branches of the Buddhist tree, feminist ideals remain under the thumb of patriarchal norms.

Pamela Weiss is the first and only layperson in the Suzuki Roshi Soto Zen lineage to receive full Dharma Transmission, and is among the few Buddhist teachers authorized to teach in two traditions. After living as a monastic at Tassajara Zen Mountain Monastery for five years, she completed comprehensive training through Spirit Rock Meditation Center to become an Insight meditation teacher. She is currently a member of the Spirit Rock Teacher Council, a guiding teacher at San Francisco Insight, and a visiting teacher at the Brooklyn Zen Center. In addition, Pamela is an executive coach, entrepreneur, and pioneer in bringing Buddhist principles and practices into the workplace. She created the award-winning Personal Excellence Program, which, since 2008, has rolled out to thousands of people at companies like Genentech and Salesforce.

So, sit back, relax, and have a nice Sacred Tara tea.

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Music for This Episode Courtesy of Rodrigo Rodriguez

The music heard in the middle of this podcast is from Rodrigo Rodriguez. You can visit his website to hear more of his music, get the full discography, and view his upcoming tour dates.