Maha Prajapati Gotami, the first Bhikkuni of the Buddha Sasana

by Premasara EPASINGHE

More than a thousand aeons-(kalpas) ago, during the time of Padumuttara, Buddha; she was born as a daughter of a minister. She visited Buddha Padumuttara, accompanying her father. During one of her visits, she witnessed Buddha Padumuttara appointing his foster-mother as the Chief Bhikkuni of the Order. She approached the Buddha Padumuttara and made a firm resolve to be a Chief Bhikkuni in the future.

This was the beginning of a long journey in Samsara for the Foremost Bhikkuni in Buddhism, the Great Enlightened Bhikkhuni Maha Prajapati Gotami.

In her Samsaric Journey, for many aeons, she collected more merit. During Buddha Kashyapas era, she became the wife of the Chief Vassal - a man who fights for the remain loyal to a king or lord. In this birth, she fulfilled a requirement of "Five Silent Buddhas," providing them with food and constructing temples for them to reside in. The meritorious act enabled the Paccheka Buddhas or Silent Buddhas to spend the rainy season in the temples constructed by her.

The story of Maha Prajapati Gotami is like a beautiful fairytale. In her next life, she was born as a charming and pretty princess in the city of Devadaha during the time of our Blessed One, Gautama Buddha. Her beloved father was Suppabuddha of the Koliya clan. Her elder sister was Princess Mahamaya. The learned Brahmin astrologers named her as Prajapati Gotami.

The King of Kapilavastu Suddhodana married Princess Mahamaya who, after 12 years, gave birth to Prince Siddhartha - the Buddha Aspirant. Princess Prajapati gave birth to Prince Nanda. As Queen Mahamaya died seven days after baby Siddhartha's birth, Prajapati Gotami became his foster-mother or stepmother. Her own son, Nanda and Prince Siddhartha grew up together in the palace. They were playmates.

Sad occasion

Prince Siddhartha married a beautiful Princess like a divine damsel, Yasodhara who later gave birth to Prince Rahula. Buddhist texts record that on the eventful day that Rahula was born, Prince Siddhartha left the palace and began his ascetic life in search of the Bliss of Nirvana.

It was a sad occasion for all at the palace. The great lady Gotami consoled her daughter-in-law, Yasodhara and looked after the little one, Rahula.

The days rolled by. Prince Siddhartha, who was born on 623 BC, attained Buddhahood on 588 BC on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.

The Awakened One, later arrived at Kapilavastupura to see His kith and kin. Gotami, gladly arranged alms for the Gautama Buddha, her stepson, and the retinue of monks. After listening to a sermon delivered by the Awakened and Enlightened Gautama Buddha, queen Gotami attained the first step, the Bliss of Sotapanna or a Stream Entrant on her way to attain the Bliss of Nibbana.

After five years, war broke out between the clans Koliya and Sakya. The Blessed One, who always stood for peace, preached the evils of war and the virtues of amity and settled the dispute. Through Gautama Buddha's compassion, kindness and peace were ushered. After listening to a sermon delivered by the Buddha, the 500 young men who were in the battlefield entered the Order and became Bhikkhus.

In the meantime, the 500 wives kindly requested Queen Gotami, and sought the Buddha's permission to enter the Order to become Bhikkunis. The Buddha did not adhere to their request. After the demise of King Suddhodana, Queen Prajapati Gotami and the 500 wives left the palace, clad in yellow robes with shaven heads and travelled a long distance from Kapilavastu to Vesali. As they were not used to walking such a long distance without slippers, their feet were bleeding and sore. While they were near the gate, the Buddha's attendant Ananda Thera met this delegation of women, led by Prajapati Gotami. She saluted Ananda Thera with devotion.

Ven Ananda Thera met the Buddha. The request for them to enter the Order was turned down.

It was a big disappointment. However, they were determined. After several appeals by Prajapati Gotami through Ananda Thera, the Blessed One finally granted permission provided the womenfolk are agreeable to accept the Eightfold Noble Precepts called Astagaru Dhamma. 'Prajapati Gotami and the 500 women gladly accepted the Astagaru Dhamma and thus the Bhikkuni Sasana - Order of the Nuns was established.

Astagaru Dhamma

What were these Astagarudhamma?

(1) A Bhikkuni (Nun), who has completed even hundred years of Higher Ordination should worship a Bhikkhu who received the Higher Ordination even on the very same day.

(2) A Bhikkuni should not live in a lonely place where there are no Bhikkhus for her to receive advice from.

(3) Once every 14 days, a Bhikkuni should receive doctrinal advice from the Bhikkhus.

(4) A Bhikkuni after her 'Rainy Retreat (Vas season), should receive the appropriate completing precepts and absolve herself before other nuns and monks of the Order.

(5) A Bhikkhuni who committed a sin or fault should declare Her Error, before the Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis. For 14 days or a forthnight, she should follow their advice.

(6) A novice nun, before Higher Ordination, should observe the six precepts, for two years. She should receive Higher Ordination twofold (Sagha), from nuns or monks with Higher Ordination.

(7) A bhikkhuni should never use rough words or obscene language or insult bhikkhus.

(8) A bhikkhuni should always respect the advice given by a bhikkhu.

After the official acceptance of the Astagaru Dhamma - the Eight Noble Rules, the Bhikkuni Sasane was established.

Prajapati Gotami, after meditating, attained Noble-Enlightenment and also the Three Higher Knowledge and six great Psychic Powers. As the Buddha directed Ven. Nandaka Thera to address the 500 Bhikkhunis, they listened to the Nandkovada Sermon. They too attained the Bliss of Nibbana, the total extinction of desire and suffering.

The Licchevi Kings constructed nunneries. Princess Yasodhara and Nanda arrived with more women and they too entered the Order of the Bhikkhunis.

One day, when Prajapati Gotami visited the Assembly Hall of the Blessed One, the Buddha addressed them and elevated her to the 'Foremost Rank or Position of the Order of Bhikkunis'.

In his address, the Buddha stressed that it was her earnest wish for millions of aeons Kalpa to gain this prestigious position.

According to Buddhist history and tradition, Prajapti Gotami lived a complete life. During the period as the Chief Bhikkhuni, she propagated the Buddha Dhamma and when she reached the 'Prime Age' of 120 years, she passed away.

Courtesy call

Before her death, she paid a 'courtesy call' to bid goodbye to her foster son - Siddhartha Gautama. It was a truly sentimental moment. The great Bhikkhuni, who established the Bhikkuni Sasana, Order of the Bhikkunis, worshipped the Buddha for the last time and sprang to the sky with her psychic powers and vanished. She attained the fourth Meditative Absorption, Chatutthadhyana and passed away to Nibbana.

As Prajapati Gotami departed, the Buddha paid his highest respect by attending the funeral of this great Bhikkhuni. The Blessed One walked behind the funeral procession, along with Sariputta and Moggallana, the two chief disciples of the Bhikkhu Sasana or Sangha Sasana. The chief disciple monk too participated in this funeral. It was said to be the biggest funeral ever, during the period of the Buddha.

The Licchavi rulers, princes and ministers constructed the funeral pyre and a State funeral was accorded to the Great Enlightened Nun Maha Prajapati Gotami.

The Licchavi kings lit the funeral pyre. After the body was completely burnt, her bones remained like tiny beautiful pearls. The Dharmabandagarika, the attendant of Gautama Buddha, Ven Ananda collected the bone relics into Gotami's Bowl, and presented them to the Blessed One.

It was a very touching and sad moment to many. The Great Communicator, Gautama Buddha addressed the monks and expressed His sentiments thus:

"The strong branch of a massive tree broke away. The main tree remains, leaving the Order of the Bhikkhunia.

She was wise, clever,full of determination with a strong will, Without any doubt, Maha Prajapati Gotami was certainly foremost of all Bhikkhunis. Dear bhikkhus, realise the impermanence of life. Strive hard to achieve your ultimate goal in enlightenment."