During the event, the Thai Bhikkhunis emphasized, “The study and practice of Buddhist teachings in Thailand have been intricately woven into Thai culture over history. However, many principles have deviated from the original teachings in the Tipitaka. To restore Buddhism, it is essential to return to the source by studying the Dhamma and Vinaya directly from the Tipitaka and practicing accordingly. Just as the world relies on both men and women to maintain balance, Buddhism requires the harmonious collaboration of all four Buddhist communities to ensure its integrity and completeness.”

The uposatha concludes with the monks collectively affirming their purity (pārisuddhi). Bhikkhus must have resolved their saṃghādisesa offenses, confessed pāṭidesanīya faults to at least four Bhikkhus, and performed desanā for the remaining minor offenses to achieve moral purity. Only then can the 227 rules of the Patimokkha be recited. After the recitation, the Bhikkhu leading the session inquires whether any rules have been breached. If a monk acknowledges an offense, he must temporarily separate from the community and purify himself. If no transgressions are confessed, silence signifies the Sangha’s purity. The Bhikkhu then declares, “With their silence, we may consider the Sangha pure.” The bi-monthly uposatha gatherings ensure the collective purity of sīla (virtue) within the Sangha, fostering accountability and spiritual discipline. By reaffirming their commitment to the Buddha’s teachings, the monastic community continues to uphold its ethical foundation and unity.

The Buddha Catu Parisa Maha Vihara temples, founded by the Buddha Catu Parisa Foundation, serve as a beacon for the Theravada tradition and the revival of the Bhikkhuni ordination. Headquartered in Thailand, the Foundation has expanded its reach globally, establishing branches in the USA, Australia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, and India. Their mission is to foster the Theravada tradition while promoting the ordination and training of female monks, or Bhikkhunis, within the framework of the Tipitaka. The roots of the Buddha Catu Parisa Foundation trace back to 1983 with the establishment of the Sikkhadhamma Society in Thailand. Initially created by government officers in the Ministry of Industry, the Society aimed to integrate Buddhist values into the workplace, enhancing both productivity and morale. Monthly Dhamma learning programs featured teachings by monks and Buddhist scholars, gradually increasing the Society’s popularity and support. By 1992, the Society had built a shrine hall on the Ministry’s campus for lectures and Buddhist activities. Membership grew steadily, reaching over 200 members by the early 2000s. In 2005, the Society renamed itself the Sikkhadhamma Tipitaka 84000 Dhammakhandha Society, reflecting its dedication to the Tipitaka’s 84,000 Dhamma teachings. After internal discussions, the Society decided to adopt the Tipitaka as the ultimate authority in its faith and practices, ensuring alignment with the original teachings of the Buddha.

In 2007, the organization further evolved, becoming the Sikkha Buddhavacana Pariyattidhamma 84000 Dhammakhandha Society to emphasize their commitment to studying and practicing the Dhamma. Despite resistance, the Society made the bold decision in 2014 to revive and support the Bhikkhuni community. This marked the establishment of the Buddha Catu Parisa Foundation International, dedicated to creating temples worldwide to uphold the Fourfold Community (Catu Parisa). The Buddha Catu Parisa Maha Vihara temples are unique in their exclusive ordination of female monks, emphasizing the importance of the Fourfold Community: Bhikkhus (monks), Bhikkhunis (female monks), Upasakas (laymen), and Upasikas (laywomen). The temples promote adherence to the Tipitaka, viewing it as the foundation for achieving enlightenment. As a Theravada Buddhist organization, the Foundation aligns with the teachings of the First Buddhist Council, where the Buddha’s Suttas (sayings) and Vinaya (disciplinary rules) were preserved. Their belief is rooted in strict compliance with monastic discipline, as outlined in the Pali Canon, to develop mindfulness and ultimately achieve Nibbana (enlightenment).

The Foundation’s mission centers on fulfilling the Buddha’s vision of the Fourfold Community, as stated in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta. The Buddha declared that his teachings would endure only with the active participation of all four divisions: Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, Upasakas, and Upasikas. The Sutta emphasizes that the community must be accomplished, trained, skilled, and well-versed in the Dhamma to refute false teachings and propagate the Buddha’s wisdom effectively. The Buddha Catu Parisa Foundation is dedicated to reviving the Bhikkhuni and Samaneri communities, ensuring the inclusivity of all four divisions. The Tipitaka explicitly supports the capability of women to attain enlightenment, although they are required to follow additional rules compared to men.

Central to the Foundation’s philosophy is the Tiratana (Three Jewels): the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. Of these, the Dhamma holds the utmost significance as the guide toward Nirvana. The Foundation believes that the Buddha’s path to Parinibbana has been preserved through the Dhamma, which remains accessible to practitioners today. The Buddha Catu Parisa Foundation seeks to foster a continuous study of the Tipitaka among the Fourfold Community, ensuring that all teachings align with the original words of the Buddha. Their global temples strive to revive and support Bhikkhuni ordination, establishing a strong foundation for Theravada Buddhism’s future. By promoting the Fourfold Community and upholding the Tipitaka, the Buddha Catu Parisa Maha Vihara temples aim to provide a sanctuary for enlightenment and a platform to restore Buddhism to its original purity.