Bhikkhunī

A bhikkhunī is a fully ordained Buddhist nun. These women belong to the monastic community known as the sangha. They live according to the Vinaya, which is a collection of monastic rules and ethical precepts. The specific number of rules depends on the Buddhist school being followed. For example, the Theravada school prescribes 311 rules for nuns. The Dharmaguptaka school uses 348 rules. The Mulasarvastivada school follows 364 rules.

The process of becoming a bhikkhunī involves several distinct stages. Initially, a person may take refuge vows as a layperson. In some traditions, such as Tibetan Buddhism, a woman might first take the renunciate vows of rabtu jungwa, or rab-jung. This is followed by the getsulma, or novice, ordination vows. In many lineages, a candidate must then serve a two-year period as a śikṣamāṇā, which is a probationary nun. This specific period ensures that the candidate is not pregnant before proceeding. Finally, the candidate undergoes two higher ordinations, known as upasampada. One ordination is performed by a quorum of bhikkhunīs, and the second is performed by a quorum of bhikkhus.

According to the Buddhist Canon, women are capable of reaching the highest levels of spiritual attainment. The scriptures state that women can achieve all four stages of enlightenment, including nirvana. This is a unique aspect of Buddhism compared to other Indian religions. In the Mahayana tradition, the Lotus Sutra describes 6,000 bhikkhunī arhants. These women received predictions of bodhisattvahood and future buddhahood from Gautama Buddha.

The history of the bhikkhunī order begins with the Buddha himself. The order was established five years after the bhikkhu, or monk, order was created. It was founded at the request of Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha's aunt and foster-mother. She became the first ordained bhikkhunī. Many notable women in history joined this order. For instance, Yasodharā, the former wife of the Buddha, became a bhikkhunī and an arahant. Queen Khema also became a bhikkhunī and was known as a foremost disciple.

There are complex historical discussions regarding the rules governing nuns. One set of rules is called the Eight Garudhammas. These rules mandate that the bhikkhunī order be subordinate to the bhikkhu order. Some scholars, such as Bhikkhu Bodhi, suggest these rules may have been added later. They point to textual problems that cast doubt on the historical accuracy of their origin. Some researchers believe these rules were added to protect women in ancient Indian society. In that era, women without husbands often faced great insecurity.

In some regions, the lineage of female monastics had to be restarted. This occurred in places where the tradition had died out due to various hardships. In Tibetan Buddhism, the lineage was officially recommenced in Bhutan on June 23, 2022. During this event, 144 nuns received full ordination. Most of these women were Bhutanese. This marked a significant moment in the modern history of Bhutanese Buddhism.

Modern Buddhist groups have also developed new ways to practice monastic life. The Order of Interbeing was established in 1964 by Thích Nhất Hạnh. This community follows fourteen specific precepts. These act as bodhisattva vows for both monks and nuns. In the Plum Village movement, bhikkhunīs use a Revised Pratimoksha. This set of 348 rules was released in 2003. It was designed to address challenges brought by modern society. This approach focuses on compassion and right view rather than the Eight Garudhammas.