Professor Roloff has offered an enormous gift to Vinaya scholars to scholars of Tibetan
Buddhism to the monastic community to scholars of women in religion and most of all to
Buddhist women both lay and monastic with the publication of Buddhist Nuns' Ordination in the
Tibetan Canon. The editions and translations of important texts concerning the ordination of
women are erudite comprehensive and clear. They will be invaluable primary resources for
anyone interested in the issue of the restoration of the Tibetan nuns' full ordination lineage.
Prof. Roloff's analysis of the legal and religious issues and her argument for the procedure
for the restoration of this lineage is meticulous and convincing setting a new standard for
argument in this important debate. Jay L Garfield Doris Silbert Professor in the Humanities
and Professor of Philosophy and Buddhist Studies Smith College and the Harvard Divinity School
An academic book to be proud of for this century and centuries to come. Bhikkhunis around the
world offer deep gratitude to her work. Venerable Bhikkhuni Dhammananda (Dr. Chatsumarn
Kabilsingh) the first Theravada bhikkhuni in Thailand and Professor Emeritus Thammasat
University Amidst a wealth of discussions on Buddhist nuns' ordination this edition and
translation of a fascinating text on rituals and regulations in the Tibetan tradition presents
a much-needed exploration of all the salient issues. Leaving no stone unturned it lays the
foundation for future research and is essential reading for anyone with an interest in gender
and institutions. Prof. Dr. Ann Heirman Head of the Department of Languages and Cultures and
the Centre for Buddhist Studies Ghent University This is an important book. It will provide a
solid foundation for any future discussion of what might be an unnecessarily complicated issue.
The careful critical editions of the canonical sources involved are especially welcome. Gregory
Schopen Distinguished Professor Emeritus Department of Asian Languages & Cultures UCLA
