The Order of Nuns

Bhikkhuni Sasana was founded in the 5th Vassana year of the Buddha. After the death of King Suddhodana, Maha Pajapati Gotami, desirous of joining the Order, approached the Buddha who was then residing at Kapilavatthu and begged permission for women to be admitted into the Order. For several reasons the Buddha refused and returned to Vesali.

But Maha Pajapati Gotami, without being discouraged, cut off her hair and wearing yellow garments went on foot to Vesali, accompanied by many other Sakyan ladies, experiencing many a hardship. Weeping they stood outside the porch of the Pinnacled Hall in Mahavana where the Buddha was residing. TheVenerable Ánanda, moved by the pathetic sight, appealed to the Buddha on their behalf. Again He refused thrice but was finally persuaded by the entreaties of the Venerable Ánanda on condition that Maha Pajapati Gotami would agree to observe the following eight Chief Rules:-

1. A nun, even of a hundred years’ standing by Upasampada, should salute a Bhikkhu and rise before him, though he had received the Higher Ordination that very day. ‘

2. A nun should not spend a Retreat in a place where there is no Bhikkhu.

3. Every fortnight a nun should ask from the Order of monks the time of Uposatha meeting and when a Bhikkhu would come to admonish them.

4. The Pavarana ceremony after the Retreat should be held by a nun in the presence of the Order of both Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis.

5. Major offences of a nun should be dealt with by the Order of both Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis.

6. A female novice (Sikkhamana) who remains on probation for two years should receive the Higher Ordination from the Order of both Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis.

7. A nun should on no account rebuke or abuse a Bhikkhu.

8. Nuns should not give admonition to Bhikkhus, but Bhikkhus should admonish nuns.

Pajapati Gotami gladly agreed to abide by these eight Chief Rules. By accepting them she automatically received the Lesser and Higher Ordination. The other Sakyan ladies also received their Lesser and Higher Ordination. All of them later attained Arahantship. Yasodhara and Nanda, the daughters of Pajapati Gotami, were also admitted into the Order.

In the Order of Nuns Khema and Uppalavanna were appointed the two chief Female Disciples, as were Sariputta and Moggallana in the Order of Monks.

6th Year - Mankula Hill
Just as He performed the "Twin Wonder" (Yamaka Parihariya) to overcome the pride of His relatives at Kapilavatthu, here too He did the same a second time to convert others.

7th Year- Tavatimsa Heaven
A few days after the birth of the Bodhisatta his mother Queen Maha Maya died and was born as a Deva in the Tavatimsa Heaven. In this 7th year during the rainy three months, He preached the Abhidhamma to the Devas of this Celestial Plane, headed by His mother Deva. Daily He came to earth and gave a summary of His sermon to the Venerable Sariputta, who in turn expounded the same doctrine in detail to his disciples. What is embodied in the present Abhidhamma Pitaka is supposed to be this detailed exposition of the Dhamma by Him.

It is stated that on hearing these philosophical discourses the mother Deva attained the First Stage of Sainthood.

8th Year - Bhesakala Forest