International Bhikkhuni Day, 2014 (Part 10)

Honouring Eminent Asian Buddhist Women in the Modern Era

C. Buddhism Beyong Borders: Engaged Buddhism - Compassion in Action

1.    2. Japan – Ven Ikuko Hibino (1949 - )

Yes, A Woman Can Be A Priest in Japanese Buddhism!

“Can a woman be a priest in Buddhism?” and “What is Buddhism?” were some of the questions directed at Rev. Ikuko Hibino when she was studying language in France. Reflection on these questions planted the seeds for her eventual path to be one.

Her father was the head priest of the Kayadera Temple in Kuramae, Tokyo. She was expected to marry a priest who would succeed her father, as cultural succession of temples was only passed along male lines. Rev. Ikuko Hibino’s aspiration to be a priest was and still is an uncommon one.

She majored in English literature and became involved with a theatre group. It was her dream to become a theatre producer.

When her father suddenly passed away, it prompted her to think and find a meaningful life for herself. Her uncle then succeeded her father until she married a priest. She travelled and examined herself and her culture from outside of Japan in different contexts. She also attended a language school.

Training to be a Priest

After her return, she completed a training course organised by the headquarters of Jodo school. She completed the three yearly sessions of training which included reading sutras, chanting, meditation, Buddhist philosophy and history as well as performing Buddhist ceremonies and hymns.

She subsequently completed a final retreat course, and Rev Ikuko Hibino was conferred as a Jodo school priest in 1975, at age 26.  It took her nearly 30 years before she moved up the ranks and be certified as the chief priest of the Kayadera Temple in 2002.

Role as a Priest

There were male priests and lay people, who were not supportive of her decision to be a priest but they were a minority and she did not heed them. Instead she focused her attention on 90 per cent of those who supported and protected her. Rev. Ikuko Hibino was fortunate as she did not face any legal challenge to her succession of the temple which was a testament of her ability to win over those around her.

There is a scarcity of female priests in comparison to male priests in Japan. It is clear that the path to be a priest is much more difficult for women. In the area surrounding Rev. Ikuko Hibino’s temple in Kuramae, there are 36 Jodo sect temples but only two of the chief priests are female.

Rev. Ikuko Hibino’s presence signifies the possibility for women to be a female priest, rare as it maybe. She serves as a role model for other women in the Jodo sect in particular, and younger female priests in this tradition consult her when needed. In addition, female Buddhists followers of her tradition or other tradition also consult her on various issues.

Service to All Beings Nationally and Internationally

She conducts funeral rites and memorial ceremony for families of the departed. As the chief priest she oversees the development of the temple and presides over various Buddhist rituals and ceremonies such as the Ojuya ceremony that pays homage to the Buddha or the Segakie (hungry ghosts) ceremony. 

She is also a Dharma speaker and a counsellor trained in the neuro-linguistic tradition. She attends to those with problems by active listening and using language to encourage those suffering to open up, talk more, explore and find the answer that is within them.

International Engagements

From 1981-1989, she was the international committee member of the All Japan Young Buddhist Association and was involved in refugee relief work at the Cambodian border. She was also active in various international exchange activities, for example, with the Malaysian Youth Buddhist Association, Thai Youth Buddhist Association and the Taiwanese Youth Buddhist Association to foster international understanding.

Besides her leadership ability, she is in a unique position to contribute at the international arena due to her command of English. From 1988-1990, she was the Deputy Secretary General of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth with objectives that include promoting unity and solidarity among Buddhists globally, promoting peace and harmony among Buddhists youth as well as carrying out activities in various spheres from a humanitarian angle.

As chairperson of the Standing Committee for Humanitarian Services of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, she chaired the adoption of the resolution to extend humanitarian services to all living beings to promote and strengthen animal welfare in 2012.

  

Reflecting on her leadership qualities, openness to the diversity of culture and Buddhist traditions since the late 2000s, she has been one of the Board of Directors of the International Ladies of Buddhist Association, Japan.[3] One of the tasks is to nurture female Buddhists to be future leaders of society. As a female Buddhist priest in a leadership position, Rev. Ikuko Hibino’s contribution is invaluable, particularly in a world marked by differences of various kind, be it gender, nationality, sectarianism, race, economic or culture.