Today is Binara Full Moon Poya Day:

Inauguration of the Bhikkhuni Order

by Nivanthi THILAKARATHNE

Maha Prajapathi Gothami asks the Buddha for permission to form the Bhikkhuni Order

When Queen Mahamaya died seven days after the birth of Prince Siddhartha, Maha Prajapathi Gothami, her sister, became his stepmother. When the Buddha was at Nigrodharama in Kapilavasthu, Maha Prajapathi Gothami met Him and sought to enter the Order. But the Buddha's response was negative.

Although she made the request thrice to enter the Order, it was turned down by the Buddha. However, she did not give up her endeavour.

After the Buddha went to Vishalapura and started residing at Kootagarasala during the fifth Vas season, Maha Prajapathi Gothami with 500 other women, the wives of princes, having shaved their heads and wearing yellow robes, visited Ananda Thera and asked his help to obtain the Buddha's permission for them to enter the Order. Due to the intervention of Ananda Thera, the Buddha granted permission to Maha Prajapathi Gothami and the 500 Sakya women to enter the Order. Permission was granted on a Binara Full Moon Poya Day.

Eight conditions

On entering the Order of the Bhikkhunis, they had to adhere to eight conditions known as Ashta Garu Dharma:

1. Even a Bhikkhuni who had obtained the Higher Ordination a hundred years ago should get up from her seat and pay due respect to a Bhikkhu who had obtained Higher Ordination on that very day.

2. A bhikkhuni should not observe rain retreat (Vas) at a temple where there are no Bhikkhus.

3. Every fortnight, Bhikkhunis should take advice regarding the 'Poya Kamma' from Bhikkhus.

4. Bhikkhunis should end their rain retreat in front of both Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis.

5. A Bhikkhuni who committed a wrong act should perform duties for six months and look after Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis.

6. A Bhikkhuni should spend a training period for one year to obtain Higher Ordination in the midst of Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis.

7. A Bhikkhuni should not insult a Bhikkhu under any circumstances.

8. Bhikkhunis should not advise Bhikkhus but Bhikkhus are allowed to advise Bhikkunis.

Bhikkhuni Order

After Maha Prajapathi Gothami and the other Sakyan women accepted the eight conditions, the Bhikkhuni Order was established on a Binara Full Moon Poya Day. The Buddha was the only religious leader who paved the way for women to enter the Order.

The rainy season begins from Esala (July) and continues till Nikini and Binara (August and September).

Therefore, Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis live in their temples, engaged in meditation and delivering sermons.

The Binara Full Moon Poya Day is important for us because the annual festival of Mangala Maha Seya at Seruwawila is held on this day. The dagaba was built by King Kavantissa.

The annual festival of Girihanduseya is also held on the Binara Poya Day. After Enlightment, the Buddha was spending the seventh week under the Rajayathana Kiripalu tree.

Girihanduseya

Thapassu and Bhalluka, who were brothers and merchants, offered alms to the Buddha. When they asked something sacred to worship, the Buddha gave them His hair relics.

Thapassu and Bhalluka came to Sri Lanka with the relics and enshrined them at Girihanduseya in the Eastern Province. Therefore, the Binara Full Moon Poya Day is an important day for Sri Lankans.