Maha Prajapati Gothami, pioneer of the Bhikkhuni Sasana

by Premasara EPASINGHE

This year's Binara Poya dawns on Wednesday, September, 22. The most significant event of the Purapasalosvaka Full Moon Day, was the establishment of the Bhikkhuni Sasana, order of the Bhikkhunis. The foremost nuns of the Bhikkhuni order was Maha Prajapati Gothami. She was the foster-mother of Prince Siddhartha - Gautama Buddha. She belonged to the royalty. Her father was Suprabuddha, the king of the Koliya clan. Gothami's elder sister was Princess Mahamaya.

According to Buddhist literature, Maha Prajapati Gothami realised her life-long ambition of becoming the foremost Bhikkhuni of the Bhikkhuni Order, through determination, perseverance, commitment and performing meritorious deeds for many hundred thousand aeons-kalpas.

Not only Prajapati Gothami, we all travel in this Samsaric journey for many Aeons.

Padumuttara Buddha

As Buddhists we believe that if we refrain from doing evil, do good deeds and cleanse our minds, will help achieve the ultimate goal-attaining the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

The Maha Prajapati Gothami's life story is fascinating. It is a role model for women-folk.

During Padumuttara Buddha's era, a hundred thousand aeons-ago Gothami was born as a daughter of a powerful minister who met Padumuttara Buddha quite often with his daughter, and listened to His sermons. One particular day, after the sermon, the Padumuttara Buddha appointed his foster-mother as the head of the order of Bhikkhunis. This moving scene had an impact on Gothami who made her resolve, "May, I become a chief nun-foremost nun of a future Buddha.

Kassapa Buddha's period

During the period of Kassapa Buddha, she was born to a farmer family and became wife of a Vassal. During the Vas season five "Paccekha Buddhas or "silent Buddhas" came to the village. As the wife of the chief Vassal she provided alms, and other items for the five Paccekha Buddhas and gained merit.

Gauthama Buddha's period

In her next birth, the wife of the vassal, was born a pretty divine princess, due to the merits she acquired, in the city of Devadaha in India during the time of Gautama Buddha. Her father was Suprabuddha, the king of Koliya Kingdom. Her elder sister Mahamaya married Sakyan king Suddhodana. The Koliya King named his second daughter Prajapati, the "Leader of many".

Foster-Mother to Prince Siddhartha

Queen Mahamaya was the chief consort of King Suddhodana of Kapilavastu. She gave birth to Prince Siddhartha, the Buddha Aspirant. Tragedy struck. Queen Mahamaya passed away, seven days, after his birth and was born as Matrudivyaraja" in Thusitha heaven. Prajapati took care of Prince Siddhartha. Princess Prajapati thus became the "foster-mother of Siddhartha. She was fond of cute little Prince Siddhartha.

After Prince Siddhartha left the palace to attain Buddhahood, Prajapati Gothami had to take care of Princess Yasodhara and also look into the needs of Prince Rahula.

Gothami gave alms to the Buddha and the Maha Sangha and listened to many sermons delivered by Him and attained Sotapanna stream entrant. Her ambition was to enter the Order. Prajapati with five-hundred wives of the princes sought the permission through Ananda Thera to establish a Bhikkhuni Order. The Buddha refused but she succeeded in her last attempt.

Eight Garudharma - Eight noble rules

"Ananda, I will grant permission for Prajapati, to establish the Bhikkhuni order provided she agrees to follow the following "Garudharma", the Eight Noble Rules.

* A bhikkhuni who has even completed 100 years of higher ordination should worship a Bhikkhu who received higher ordination, the same day. Bhikkhunis should live in areas where Bhikkhus reside. They should receive doctrinal advice from bhikkhus fortnightly.

* After the rainy retreat, vas season, a bhikkhuni should practise the precepts in front of bhikkhus.

* A Bhikkhuni who committed a wrong should declare it before the Order of Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis. She should follow their advice for a fortnight.

* Before receiving Higher Ordination, the Novice should observe the six Precepts for more than two years.

*A Bhikkhuni should not use rough words on a Bhikkhu.

*A Bhikkhuni should respect and follow the advice of a Bhikkhu.

Gothami assured Ananda Thera that the Bhikkhunis gladly accepted the Eightfold Noble Rules, the Garudharma.

She was in cloud nine. Over 501 Bhikkhunis went to the Buddha's monastery. The Chief Bhikkhuni, Maha Prajapati Gothami and others listened to a sermon on Nandakovada, delivered by Bhikkhu Nandaka.

Bhikkhuni Maha Prajapati Gothami passed away at the age of 120. It is said that on the day of her passing away there was an unnatural phenomenon, the earth quaked with thunder and lightning for a few minutes.

Buddha attends funeral

Prior to bhikkhuni Maha Prajapati's death she visited the Buddha to bid 'Goodbye" and thank Him. When she rose to depart the Buddha and His disciples followed her due to sheer respect.

In the history of Buddhism, this was the first instance that the Buddha followed or walked behind another person to pay His respects.

According to Buddhist literature, Maha Prajapati Gothami and her 500 Bhikkhunis passed away on the same day.

God Visvakarama, decorated palanquins and placed their dead bodies in it to be taken to the cemetery.

Biggest funeral ceremony

The Bhikkhunis funeral was supposed to be the biggest ceremony in Jambudeepa, India.

This was the first time that the Buddha participate in a funeral. The Buddha with His two Chiefs Sariputta and Moggallana and Ven. Ananda Thera walked in the funeral procession.

The Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, royalty and ministers followed.

The King lit the pyres. The bodies of 500 Bhikkhunis burnt, but a few bones of Bhikkhunis of Maha Prajapati Gothami's remained like tiny parts in the funeral pyre. Ven. Ananda Thera handed over the ashes and the remains of tiny bones in a bowl to the Buddha.

The Buddha said, "Oh! Bhikkhu, Great Bhikkhuni Maha Prajapati passed away. Realise the impermanence of life, strive hard to attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.