Gotami grew up in poor circumstances. Her family was impoverished. She was skinny and haggard (kisā) and so took on the name ‘Kisāgotami’. As a result of these circumstances, it was hard for Kisāgotami to find a husband. She felt a deep sense of dejection because of this. One day a rich merchant took Kisāgotami [...]
Archive for the ‘Order of Nuns’ Category
Kisāgotami and the Mustard Seed
Posted in Bhikkhu Bodhi, Disciples of the Buddha, Life of Buddha, Order of Nuns, Pāli Canon on February 16, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Bhaddā Kundalakesā and Sāriputta’s Question
Posted in Bhikkhu Bodhi, Disciples of the Buddha, Order of Nuns, Pāli Canon on February 3, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Bhaddā was also known as ‘Kundalakesā’ (or curly-hair) because after her hair was ripped out at the roots as part of her ordination into the Jains it grew back curly. She became a Jain because she had no desire for lay life. Sensual pleasures and possessions meant nothing to her anymore. But Bhaddā was not [...]
Showing Us What Is Possible
Posted in Disciples of the Buddha, Order of Nuns, Practice on December 20, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Recently in Colorado Springs, a lay woman ordained as an Anagarika under Bhikkhuni Ajahn Thanasanti. I was fortunate enough to be there for the ceremony. Having practiced with this group on and off since I arrived in Colorado, this was a wonderfully joyous occasion for us all. But the real joy and gift is to [...]
Mahāpajāpatī and the Order of Nuns
Posted in Life of Buddha, Order of Nuns, Pāli Canon, Schumann on March 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
After the death of Suddhodana, the Buddha’s father, the Buddha returned to Kapilavatthu. At this time, Mahāpajāpatī, the Buddha’s stepmother, approached him with a question that was found to be unwelcome and irksome. Mahāpajāpatī asked if women too could take up the homeless life and follow the Dharma proclaimed by the Enlightened One. The Buddha [...]
Life of the Buddha
Posted in Decision to Teach, Life of Buddha, Order of Nuns on February 18, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
In the temples of the Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom, the following gatha is recited after lunch: Buddha was born in the Lumbini Garden, He attained Enlightenment at Bodh Ghaya, He set in motion the wheel of Dharma at Sarnath, He entered Parinirvana at Kusinara. I am reminded of this gatha as I begin my [...]
