The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 24

There were large numbers of female disciples of Lord Buddha who desired to get ordination as Bhikshuni/Nun, they have appealed three times to Lord Buddha but he was refused to give ordination.  The female disciple decided not to give up, understood there must be some valid reason to reject their plea.  They have decided to clean shave their heads and wear saffron robes and follow Buddha wherever he goes.  One of the Monk approached Lord Buddha with a  doubt, it was if the women were ordained as Bhikshuni according to Buddhist dispensation will they attain the supernatural powers/Arahanthship,  Buddha said “ Ananda, it is true that if they are ordained as nun according to Buddhist dispensation they would achieve Arahanthaship, exactly as the Monk does.”  The Monk pleaded “ If that is the case, kindly give ordination to Queen Mahaprajapathi, who gave birth, and raised you as a child. Kindly fulfill her wishes, Lord.”  Buddha spoke “ Ananda If Mahaprajapathi undertakes the practice of  eight strict conditions, I will give her permission for ordination.”

Ananda returned to the female ascetics who were keenly waiting for the ordination and imparted the knowledge on eight strict conditions such as a Bikshuni who have ordained should worship the Bhikshu for hundred years from the day of ordination, a Bikshuni should not spend the rains- retreat in a monastery where there are no Bhikshus in residence.  Two years later, these female ascetics completed their practice on eight strict conditions during the two rains-retreats and returned to Buddha with their request to ordain them as Bhikshunis.   Buddha instantly gave permission for the ordination.  After the ordination of MahaPrajapathi as Bhikshuni and the Sakhyan Bhikshunis were immersed in strict mental practices and meditations until each one of them attained Arahanthship. 

The King Mahanama of the Sakhya clan has inherited the throne of Kapilavasthu.  The Kingdom started to show the sign of impermanence, Yasodhara thought of her husband Siddhartha who abandoned the luxuries of the Kingdom without any second thought and conducted the search for spirituality.  Her relatives, son, and the Queen Mahaprajapathi Gautami followed the footsteps of her husband and ordained as Bikshus and Bikshunis respectively.  Yasodhara decided to give up all the royal comforts and follow the path of Lord Buddha's Dharma and simplicity/Vinaya.  Soon princess Yasodhara and a large number of ladies of the Palace traveled to Jetavana Monastery, they practiced the eight strict conditions for two rains-retreat, approached Lord Buddha to get permission to ordain as Bhikshuni.  Yasodhara was ordained as Bhikshuni with the name venerable ‘Bhaddhakanchana Theri’ and continued rigorous mental practices and meditation, eventually, she attained Arahanthship.