Bhikkhuni Khema:
The first and wisest chief disciple
By Premasara EPASINGHE
"My wish is to become an awakened bhikkhuni." This was a wish made by
a domestic about hundred-thousand aeons ago. She was residing in the
city of Hansavati, during the time of Padumuttara Buddha. She was a poor
woman who was the sole bread-winner of the family. She was keen on
becoming a bhikkhuni during the time of Padumuttara Buddha. However, the
circumstances did not allow her to be a bhikkhuni.
One day, she saw Sujata, chief disciple of Padumuttara Buddha in his
begging rounds in the city. She had some sweets and gladly offered them
to the chief bhikkhuni Sujata. She was feeling extremely happy and
thought that she must offer alms to the bhikkhuni again. Although she
was a domestic, she was a beautiful woman who had long curly hair. As
she did not have money to buy the stuff to prepare alms, she went to a
hairdresser and sold her beautiful long hair. With the money, she
prepared alms to the chief bhikkhuni Sujata.
Due to the meritorious acts she performed during Padumuttara Buddha's
era, after her death, during Vipassi Buddha's time, she was born as a
princess. She entered the Order of the Bhikkhunis and was reputed as a
fine preacher. Then, again during the time Buddha Konagama, she was born
as a princess. Joining hands with her devoted friends, they built a
monastery and donated it to the Buddha.
In her Samsaric journey, she was again born as the eldest daughter of
Gamani, ruler of the Kingdom of Kasi. Her main ambition was to become
the chief bhikkhuni to a future Buddha, and also the wisest in the order
of the Bhikkhunis. This was her ambition.
During the Gautama Buddha's period, the bhikkhu order had its own
chief disciples. They were Sariputta and Moggallana. With the dawn of
Gautama Buddha era, Gamani's daughter was born again as Princess Khema
and became the chief consort of Magadha ruler Bimbisara. Bimbisara was
one of the chief devotees of Gautama Buddha. He was the builder of the
Bamboo Grove Monastery. He was tortured and put to death by his own son
Ajasatta.
Bimbisara could not escape from a previous Karma or a sin he did in
one of his past births. He was a king in his past life. One day, the
king went on deer hunting to Vipula Mountains in India. The king saw an
ascetic and he chased and killed him.
The ascetic before he died cursed him. "Today, you killed me. In my
next birth I will destroy you". It is said that the ascetic was born as
Ajasatta who killed King Bimbisara in the Gautama Buddha era.
Queen Khema was very conscious of her beauty. Although she was
listening to a sermon, she disliked the Buddha at the beginning as He
mentioned that life was impermanent and it would decay. Khema saw a
lovely maiden, close to The Buddha fanning Him.
The divine maiden was prettier than her. With the Buddha's power,
only the King and Queen Khema saw the maiden who fanned the Buddha.
Gradually her beauty faded away and she became an old woman and fainted.
Queen Khema then realised that life was impermanent and transient.
After listening to the Buddha's sermon Khema decided to join the Order
of Bhikkhunis.
It was Prince Siddhartha's foster mother Maha Prajapati Gotami, who
established the Bhikkhuni Order.
The Buddha with His far-seeing wisdom saw the dangers in having two
orders - bhikkhu and bhikkhuni Sasana at one and the same time. However,
He later granted permission for the establishment of the Order of
Bhikkhunis, under certain rules and regulations. It was known as the
"Eight Garudhamma":
? A bhikkhuni, who is even 100 years old should salute and honour a
Bhikkhu.
? A bhikkuni should not spend a retreat (Vas) in a place where there
are no bhikkhus.
? A bhikkhuni should ask Bhikkhus the time of "Uposatha" which means,
Full Moon and New Moon days when Bhikkhus assemble to recite the
fundamental rules.
? The Pavarana (formal termination of the retreat or rainy season)
should be held in the presence of both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.
? A bhikkhuni who has committed a major offence should apologise
(Manatta) in the presence of bhikkhus and bhikkhunis (Manatta means a
form of disciplinary action).
? A novice bhikkhuni (Sikkamana) having trained in the six rules for
two years, should receive the Higher Ordination, from both Bhikkhus and
Bhikkhunis.
? A Bhikkhuni should never abuse a Bhikkhu.
? Bhikkhnis should not give admonition to Bhikkhus, but Bhikkhus
should admonish bhikkhunis. Bhikkhuni Khema agreed to follow the above
rules and regulations - the set of disciplinary code to the letter
"Garudhamma".
She was very intelligent. Listening to a single sermon of the
Enlightened One, she attained the Bliss of Arahatship.The red letter day
dawned for Bhikkhuni Khema. It was a wish that she wanted to achieve in
her Sansaric journey, beginning from Buddha Padumuttara period.
Accomplishing her ambition, the Blessed One - Gautama Buddha elevated
Khema to the rank of the "First chief disciple of the Order of the
Bhikkhunis" at a large assembly.
She was conferred the title "Wisest bhikkhuni." Khema became one of
the 13 great bhikkhuni's in the Buddhist Order.
"One day when Khema was meditating seated in a beautiful, pleasant
environment, God Mara approached her in the guise of a handsome youth
and requested her to enjoy life, as she is very pretty and charming.
Khema recognised Mara. She explained that life was impermanent. She told
Mara that the body was subject to decay, illness and death.
|