As a core teaching, Rama – Dr. Frederick Lenz emphasized that the empowerment of women is the key to creating an enlightened American society. Recognizing the hierarchical and male-dominated nature of imported Buddhist culture, the Foundation champions the cause of women’s leadership in American Buddhist communities and organizations.
In Dr. Lenz’s Words
“Enlightenment comes through the feminine side of the being.”
“The most important problem for our world to solve is the inequality of men and women.”
“When women come into their full power, a balance will occur which has not been seen for so long that no one remembers it.”
“Until women assume their rightful place on earth there will never be an end to wars, cruelty and oppression.“
– Insights: Talks on the Nature of Existence, “Why Don’t More Women Attain Enlightenment?”
What We Fund
We provide general-assistance and restricted grants and program-related investments to innovative programs and initiatives focused on women in Buddhism. Such programs are by and about women.
We award up to four grants per year of up to $5,000 each in support of this topic to organizations that fall within the range of our grant policy. (The Women In Buddhism grant category was temporarily suspended in 2021 in favor of a COVID-19 emergency sustainability grant making program.)
Grantees
View a complete list of our Women In Buddhism Grants