Maha Pajapati Gotami And Her Quest To Gain Spiritual Freedom

It is the full moon day of September. Today we commemorate the arising of the Bhikkhuni order in the world. Over 2600 years ago, during the 5th year of Buddha-hood the Bhikkhuni order arose in the world.

- Ven. Dr Bhikkhuni Kusuma (M.A., Ph.D.)

Queen Maha Pajapati, the foster mother to the Buddha along with 500 Sakyan ladies shaved their heads and wearing yellow robes, carrying bowl and robes walked from Kapilavastu to Visala, the gabled hall where the Buddha resided.

This is the only recorded historical walk undertaken by women to gain their spiritual freedom.

The Buddha with his clairvoyant vision understood the commitment of these women, all destined to become Arahants, having fulfilled their aspirations for eons in samsara. The Buddha gave permission for the going-forth from home to homelessness in pabbajja.

It took about two weeks for the walk. People on either side of the road were amazed. They cried and offered their chariots, but were refused.

Nobody protested or tried to interrupt their walk asking for ordination. Therefore the Buddha was convinced of the social acceptance of the Bhikkhuni Order, hence granted permission.

The status of women of that era was very low due to the Brahminic view which considered women of belonging to the lowest caste‘kshudra’.

They were given away as child brides and co-wives of the older men who were educated in the vedas. Women were uneducated and stupid. Living under the same roof, fighting for toys, ignorant, having babies of their own, being children themselves. Society despised them.

ORDINATION OF MAHA PAJAPATI

The ancient canonical commentary to the patimokkha, the suttavibhanga refers to three kinds of ordination for women.

1) Ehi Bhikkhuni Ordination. ‘come Bhikkhunis’ given by the Buddha himself.

2) Tinisarana-gamanaordination. Taking refuge of the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha.