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Heather Tesen
Rels 2010
Bandara
5/3/17 Women in Buddhism
Womens role in Buddhism has been a conflicting one. Buddha from the
beginning has stated that he believes women are on an equal spiritual field
as their male counterparts. He mapped out a way for everyone, men and
women to achieve enlightenment. A new concept at the time. However,
when approached by his adoptive mother Mahapajapati, Buddhas response
to ordain the women, was no. Some say that Buddha saw that it was an unfit
time, to introduce the women because of the discrimination they would face.
Some say that it was because he was not prepared to have that many new
monks to teach. Yet others say it was because he simply didnt want the
women to be ordained. He had to be approached three times, before he
allowed women to be ordained. He also proposed that they must follow the
eight rules of respect (There is much controversy on wither this came from
Buddha or not and wither it was applicable to just Mahapajapati or all nuns in
general). The women were ordained five years after Buddhas enlightenment
his adoptive mother Mahapajapati being the first one to be ordained. Their
new name was that of Bhikkhunis.

The eight rules of respect or the Eight Garudhammas were a set of

additional rules given to the newly ordained Bhikkhunis. However, there is
some controversy on why these rules were put into place if women could
reach the same enlightenment as men. And wither the rules were actually
given by the Buddha or not. From some sources the rules are said to be put
into place to allow more acceptance of ordaining the new Bhikkhunis 1. There
are other rules that both the Bhikkunis and Bhikkus must follow. However,
the men have 227 and the women have a set of 311. This leads to those
1 Women in Buddhism (Questions and Answers) has a complete set of the Eight
Garudhammas. Pg. 32-33
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thinking that Buddha did not want to ordain the women. Through further
investigation it looks to be that the men have 8 different sections of rules
that must be followed. Whereas the women have 7 different sections of
texts.2 However when researched you can usually find the same rules for the
men in different sections of the texts that are not counted. Many say that
some of these rules were added later by the hands of monks.

Womens road to Enlightenment: While most Buddhist sects believe

that women may be enlightened there is again much controversy on wither
they can become Buddha or not.3 In the early days of Buddha it is said that
anyone could become Buddha regardless of gender. Later after the passing
of Buddha, Buddhists began to compile the 32 Mahapurisa characteristics
that are believed to be qualities of great monarch. One of which was that to
become a Buddha one must have a penis, excluding women.4 This belief is
just starting to change and there is more openness for women to becoming
Buddha. A common belief is that women right before achieving
enlightenment will be reborn as a man. Or that if they are faithful in this life
then they will be reborn as a man, so that they may achieve the state of
Buddha. Much controversy has been brought up on the topic such as that
gender is a form of maya. Only through liberation of gender may someone
become Buddha bringing up the fact that it should not matter what gender
they begin with as long as they are able to free themselves from it.

In conclusion womens influence and contribution to Buddhism has been

great. There is more talk and research being done on this topic than ever
before. Many rules and practices were made by women who had high
influences with the Buddha such as Mahapajapati. Womens quest in

2 Kabilsingh, Chatsumarn. Women in Buddhism (Questions and Answers) Pg. 17-18

3 Tsomo, Karma Lekshe. Innovative Buddhist women: swimming against the stream.

4 Kabilsingh, Chatsumarn. Women in Buddhism (Questions and Answers) Pg. 53

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reaching enlightenment has been a long and hard journey, but finally they
are receiving some of the recognition that they deserve.

Bibliography
Dewaraja, Dr. (Mrs.) L.S. The Position of Women in Buddhism. Vol. 128. N.p.:
The Wheel Publication, 1981. Print.
Kabilsingh, Chatsumarn. Women in Buddhism (Questions and Answers)
Women in Buddhism (Questions. Thailand: Thammasat U , 1998. Print
Tsomo, Karma Lekshe. Innovative Buddhist women: swimming against the
stream. Richmond: Curzon, 2000. Print.