REMEMBERING AND CELEBRATING AN ESSENTIAL PILLAR OF THE BUDDHIST SANGHA: International Bikkhuni Day 2024, twenty-three foremost female disciples of Buddha and an overview of research and transcripts connected to nuns

“At that moment, Prajāpatī made her first request to Buddha: “If women have the opportunity to achieve the four results of the spiritual way, then please allow women to go forth, become ordained nuns, and practice chaste conduct/celibacy in the Buddhist sangha.” “In order to uphold the Buddhist teachings it is necessary to have the… Continue reading REMEMBERING AND CELEBRATING AN ESSENTIAL PILLAR OF THE BUDDHIST SANGHA: International Bikkhuni Day 2024, twenty-three foremost female disciples of Buddha and an overview of research and transcripts connected to nuns

THE ‘GOLDEN GODDESS’ NUN WHOM BUDDHA SAID WAS BEST AT RECOLLECTING PREVIOUS LIVES AND ATTAINED ARHATSHIP: BHADDA-KAPILANI. Introduction to Bhaddā Kāpilānī’s life-story, previous lives and excellent qualities.

66. “Similar is Bhaddā Kāpilānī, a triple-knowledge bearer, killer of death; Who bears the last body, having conquered Māra and his mount. (Tatheva bhaddā kāpilānī, tevijjā maccuhāyinī; Dhāreti antimaṃ dehaṃ, jetvā māraṃ savāhanaṃ.) 67. “Having seen danger in the world, both of us ordained; We are taintless, tamed, cooled down, we are liberated. (Disvā ādīnavaṃ… Continue reading THE ‘GOLDEN GODDESS’ NUN WHOM BUDDHA SAID WAS BEST AT RECOLLECTING PREVIOUS LIVES AND ATTAINED ARHATSHIP: BHADDA-KAPILANI. Introduction to Bhaddā Kāpilānī’s life-story, previous lives and excellent qualities.

THE ‘FAT JOYFUL’ NUN, STHULANANDA: ‘BADDEST-BALDIE’ IN THE VINAYA OR ‘BAD-ASS’ PROTO-FEMINIST? Early Buddhist nun, Sthūlanandā’s ‘badness’ challenging male monastic privilege or a powerful symbol of the futile ‘trappings’ of following rules without real, inner transformation

“Sthūlanandā was not well turned out, did not practice good deportment, and had very dirty ripped robes [revealing] great breasts hanging down like gourds and large buttocks. She was arrogant, unseemly, frivolous, fractious, and garrulous in her speech. [The families] did not respect her and did not host her.”--- Mahāsāṅghika-Lokottaravādin Bhikṣuṇī-vinaya “We have to see… Continue reading THE ‘FAT JOYFUL’ NUN, STHULANANDA: ‘BADDEST-BALDIE’ IN THE VINAYA OR ‘BAD-ASS’ PROTO-FEMINIST? Early Buddhist nun, Sthūlanandā’s ‘badness’ challenging male monastic privilege or a powerful symbol of the futile ‘trappings’ of following rules without real, inner transformation