Arahat Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna, a Dhamma preacher par excellence

by Premasara Epasinghe

During the period of Padumuttara Buddha about 100,000 aeons ago, Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna was born as a housemaid in the city of Hansawathie. She used to listen to sermons of the Buddha when she accompanied her mistress. One day she saw a Bhikkhuni being elevated to the rank of the best preacher. She felt very happy and desired to achieve the prestigious title as an enlightened Bhikkhuni, in the distant future. The maid offered food to the Bhikkhus. One day she offered herbal juice to the chief disciple elder, Sujatha. Due to the meritorious acts she performed during several "Buddha periods," she joined the Bhikkhuni Order.

A modern day Bhikkhuni

She was again born during Siddhartha Gautama Buddha era, as a charming pretty princess, in the city of Rajagaha. At that time, Bimbisara was the King. A very close friend and associate of Bimbisara, named Prince Visakha married her.

On the very first day meeting Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, the Prince Visakha, became a stream enterer - first of the four stages towards the realisation of liberation, leading to Arahatship. Then, he reached once - returner (Sakudagami) and non-returner (Anagami). When Visakha returned to the palace, Princess Dhammadinna, noticed a big difference in her husband.

He ignored her. At night they slept separately. Dhammadinna questioned about his strange behaviour, Visakha explained "Dear Dhammadinna, princess, I have reached a higher state mentally by listening to the Buddha." When Dhammadinna worshipped Visakha and asked him "Can women listen to the Buddha and attain this state. Prince Visakha said, "You too can achieve it." Then Dhammadinna replied "O Prince, in that case, I wish to enter the Order of the Bhikkhunis and join the Bhikkhuni Order.

The Prince informed King Bimbisara and she was taken in a palanquin, accompanied by all relations. She stayed in the temple and received her ordination. She meditated. As she concentrated well, she was able to destroy all cankers and attain noble enlightenment.

She returned to the temple. The Enlightened Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna delivered a sermon, emphasising the transient nature of life. Prince Visakha heard from his relations and friends about Dhammadinna's achievement, visited her, and worshipped her. Visakha, realised that she was fully qualified in attaining full liberation, Arahatship.

The Enlightened One, praised Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna stating that she is wise, efficient, proficient and excellent in doctrinal knowledge. The Buddha praised her sermon Cullavedalla. The significance of the sermon was that it was the only sermon, that the Buddha totally accepted delivered by a Bhikkhuni. A few days later the Buddha praised the efficiency of Dhammadinna as a preacher and elevated her to the rank of the Best Bhikkhuni Preacher. Her efficient preaching helped many Bhikkhunis to improve their knowledge of the doctrine and to gain the bliss of Nibbana.