Binara full moon poya day marks the inauguration of the Order of Bhikkunis

by Samangie Wettimuny

About 2550 years ago, the Buddha taught man that the greatest of conquests was not the subjugation of others, but of the self." Even though a man conquers ten thousand men in battle, he who conquers but himself is the greatest of conquerors" taught the Buddha in 'Dhammapada'.

We, his followers today believe that he is the greatest of all conquerors. If a human being has the ability to conquer himself/herself, that is what matters, not that person's gender.

" When one's mind is well concentrated and wisdom never fails, does the fact of being a woman make any difference?", one of the Bhikkunis during the Buddha's time asked Mara when 'he' looked down upon women saying ' No woman with the two finger wisdom could ever hope to reach those heights which are attained only by the sages'.

Such was the prevailing attitude towards women during the Buddha's time. But despite all that the Buddha allowed women to enter the Holy Order and Binara Full Moon Poya day which falls on September 26 within the period of Vas marks the inauguration of the Order of Bhikkhunis with the ordination of Queen Maha Prajapathi along with five hundred Sakyan ladies.

Maha Prajapathi Gothami was Prince Siddartha's maternal aunt and was also his foster mother. Binara is considered an important month also because it was during such a month that the Buddha had visited Thavuthisa heaven to preach Abhidhamma to his mother(Mathru Divya Raja) and celestial multitude.

Inauguration of the Order of Bhikkuni

After listening to 'Kalaha Vivada sutta' which the Buddha preached on the bank of the Rohini River, about five hundred princes joined the 'Sasana'. After the death of King Suddodhana, Maha Prajapathi Gothami went to see the Buddha by foot along with the wives of those five hundred princes and sought his permission to become a Bhikkuni.

But the Buddha rejected her permission thrice. Determined to become a Bhikkuni, Maha Prajapathi Gothami then visited Venerable Ananda Thera and sought his help.

After listening to her, Venerable Ananda Thera decided to talk to the Buddha on behalf of her.

The Buddha laid eight major conditions (Ashta Garu Dharma) for the female to enter the Holy order of Nuns and Maha Prajapathi Gothami was allowed to become the first Bhikkuni only if she was willing to accept them. Since she was willing to abide by Ashta Garu Karma, she could get the Bhikkuni Sasana established. At the beginning there were five hundred Bhikkunis in the Bhikkuni Sasana.

The eight major conditions

* A Bhikkuni has to worship a day old Higher Ordained Bhikkhu even if she was 100 years old in higher ordination. She should get up from her seat and show her due respects to the Bhikkhus who observe the major percepts.

* A Bhikkuni should not observe the rainy seasonal precepts in an area where there are no Bhikkhus.

* Every fortnight a Bhikkuni has to request for 'Pohoya kamma' from the Bhikkus. She has to know the time she should obtain advice from the Bhikkhus.

* When a Bhikkhu concludes her rainy seasonal precepts observation, she has to do it in front of both Bhikkunis and Bhikkus.

* A Bhikkuni who has committed a major mistake should confess it in the presence of both Bhikkunis and Bhikkus.

* A Bhikkuni has to undergo two years as a special trainee and then become a higher ordained Bhikkuni in the presence of both Bhikkus and Bhikkunis.

* A Bikkuni should not scold a Bhikkhu under any circumstances.

* A Bikkuni should not advice Bikkhus, but Bikkhu should advise Bhikkunis.

Though one may feel that these eight conditions are meant to degrade women (the writer too feels so in a way!), the Buddha has emphasized that these rules are there for their own good.

Anyway the Buddha was the first religious leader who gave this religious freedom to women. During the time of the Buddha ,the position of women to in society had been very low and his decision to allow women to enter the Holy Order had been extremely radical for the times. By allowing women enter the Order, women could show the world that they also can attain Arhathhood.

Thus after the Order was established Princess Yasodara too became a Bhikkuni. Bhikkuni Khema and Uppalawanna were appointed as the chief female disciples of the Buddha.

Demise of Maha Prajapathi Gothami

A few days before her demise at the age of hundred and twenty , Maha Prajapathi Therani went to pay homage to the Buddha who was then at Kootagara hall in Vishala Nuwara. She then talked to him with utmost respect. This is how the Buddhist Literature 'quotes' her words.

" Though I am your foster mother you are the one who taught me Dhamma. It is because of you that I could enter the Bhikkuni Sasana. Though titles such as 'mother of king" and 'Queen' are not rare, it is extremely difficult to be known as 'the mother of the Buddha' (Buddha Matha)."

In order to respect her the Buddha followed her upto the main entrance of Kootagara hall.

As mentioned earlier it was in the month of Binara that the Buddha arrived in Thavuthisa heaven.

The main intention of his visit was to preach Abhidhamma to Mathru Divya Raja. As the Buddhist Literature reveals the Budha stayed there for three months preaching them Abhidhamma on relevant occasions.

Thus it is with great respect that all Buddhists particularly Bhikkunis commemorate Binara Full Moon Poya day. The Buddha's message is for all irrespective of his/her religion as it is nothing but the Noble Truth.

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