Mahapajapati Gotami begging permission for women to be admitted into the order as nuns

30. Mahapajapati Gotami begging permission for women to be admitted into the order as nuns

The Buddha was dwelling at Kapilavatthu in Banyan Park Monastery.Maha-pajapati Gotami approached the Buddha along with five hundred women of the Sakya clan, and begged permission for women to be admitted into the Order as Nuns. The Buddha refused permission saying, ‘Enough, O Gotami, do not ask that women be admitted into the Order as Nuns”. She went away sorrowful and sad.

Later, when the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesali, Mahapajapati Gotami had her hair cut off, put on yellow garments and with five hundred of Sakya women followed to Vaseli. She dared not enter the monastery grounds and stood outside the porch. Now the Venerable Ananda saw her standing there, and went to the Buddha and asked several times for permission to admit women into the Order as Nuns. At last, the Blessed One gave the permission and women were admitted to the Order. Thus an Order of Nunswas founded.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post