Yasodara, the role model for women

by Premasara Epasinghe

During the Buddha's time, over 2,500 years ago, women occupied a very servile place in the Indian society. For many years even before the advent of Buddhism, Brahamin hegemony was so dominant that the entire country was in their iron grip and women were reduced to a very low position.

When King Kosala was in the company of the Buddha, one of his ministers broke the news that his Queen Mallika was blessed with a daughter. The King was distraught. Then the Buddha told him, "Do not be perturbed or upset. A female child may prove even better if she grows up wise and virtuous." In Buddhism, gender difference is no impediment to the attainment of Nibbana.

Princess Yasodhara was the beloved wife of Prince Siddhartha. For thousands of years, she perfected her wish to be the wife of the future Buddha aspirant. She completed the Dasa Paramita in her past births.

Birth

Yasodara was born to King Supprabuddha and Queen Amita on the same day Prince Siddhartha was born at Lumbini Park. Yasodhara's father was Prince Siddhartha's mother's brother. They were cousins. Yasodhara was a beautiful princess. She was so beautiful that she was known as 'Bimba' (gold image). Eventually Yasodhara became the consort of Prince Siddhartha.

The royal couple had three palaces, Ramya, Suyramya and Subha. One wonders at times, how Prince Siddhartha, who lived with so much of luxury had the will power to leave such a beautiful wife and a sweet little baby Rahula at the age of 29. He possessed a strong will power. He sacrificed all his luxuries to achieve the ultimate goal in bliss of Nibbana.

Prince Yasodhara lived an exemplary life. On a Medin Full Moon Poya Day, the Buddha visited Kimbulwathpura and called on Yasodhara. She offered alms to the Buddha. After the Buddha instructed Sariputta and Kassapa to ordain Rahula, Yasodhara too joined the Bhikkhuni Sasana.

Bhikkhuni

As a Bhikkhuni Yasodhara meditated and within a short time attained Nibbana. In the history of Buddhist order only four people achieved the greatness and efficiency in four forms of analytical knowledge. They were Ven. Sariputta, Moggallana, Bakkula and Bhikkhuni Yasodhara. The Buddha elevated Yasodhara to the rank of the foremost of Bhkkhunis with great efficiency in the four analytical, knowledge. When Yasodhara turned 78, she realised that some of the very senior Bhikkhunis and Bhikkhus had passed away and decided to meet Buddha and expressed that the time was ripe for her to depart from the world.

Yasodhara recited many verses praising the Buddha in front of the congregaton and walked back to her monastery. Bhikkhuni Yasodhara sat in meditation and passed away peacefully.

Yasodhara is a role model to all women.