A Bhikṣuṇī (Sanskrit) , Bhikkuṇī (Pāli) or 比丘尼(Chinese characters) is a fully ordained female Buddhist monastic. Male monastics are called Bhikkhus. Both Bhikkunis and Bhikkhus live by the vinaya. Bhikkhunis hold 311 vows. Bhikkhuni orders enjoy a broad basis in Mahayana countries like Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan. The Sanskrit language ( , ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 22 official languages of India. ... Pāli is a Middle Indo-Aryan dialect or prakrit. ... 漢字 / 汉字 Chinese character in Hànzì, kanji, hanja, Hán Tá»±. A Chinese character (Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , pinyin: Hànzì) is a logogram used in writing Chinese, Japanese, sometimes Korean, and formerly also Vietnamese. ... A replica of an ancient statue of Gautama Buddha, found in Sarnath, near Varanasi. ... Monasticism (from Greek: monachos—a solitary person) is the religious practice of renouncing all worldly pursuits in order to fully devote ones life to spiritual work. ... A Buddhist Monk in Sri Lanka In Pāli, a bhikkhu (male) or bhikkhuni (female) is a fully ordained Buddhist monk. ... The Vinaya (a word in Pali as well as in Sanskrit, with literal meaning discipline) is the textual framework for the Buddhist monastic community, or sangha. ... Relief image of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin from Mt. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 or ì¡°ì„ , see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ...

The lineage of bhikkhunis was originally created by the Buddha after being requested to do so by his foster-mother Mahapajapati Gotami, and the bhikkhuni order spread to many countries.

Bhikkhunis in Theravada

The traditional appearance of bhikkhunis is nearly identical to that of male monks, including a shaved head and saffron robes in Theravada tradition. White or pink robes are worn by Theravada women who are not fully ordained. In Thailand, Bhikkhunis are referred to as "Ayya," a veneration. Ajahn, which means teacher, is another veneration, which a Bhikkhuni (or [Bhikkhu] or samaneri) teacher of 10 or more rains retreats (vassas) is often called. Ayya Vaikundar was the Manu avathar (to born as a human being) of Lord Narayana according to Akilattirattu Ammanai the holy script of Ayyavazhi religion. ... Ajahn (Thai: อาจารย์) is teacher in the Thai language; it is derived from the (Pali) word ācārya. ... A samaneri (pali language) is novice nun, who lives according to the ten precepts. ... Vassa (Thai พรรษา, pansa or phansaa), also called Rains Retreat, is the traditional retreat during the rainy season lasting for three lunar months from July to October. ...

In the Theravada tradition, many believe that the bhikkhuni lineage became extinct in the 11th century, after which no new bhikkhunis could be ordained since there were no bhikhunis left to give ordination. For this reason, some members of the Theravada bhikkhu Sangha deem fully ordained bhikkhunis as "untrue."^{[citation needed]} Other members support the ordination of woman as bhikkhunis^{[citation needed]}. Theravada (Pāli: theravāda; Sanskrit: sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and continental Southeast Asia (parts of southwest China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... A Buddhist Monk in Sri Lanka In Pāli, a bhikkhu (male) or bhikkhuni (female) is a fully ordained Buddhist monk. ... Sangha is a word in Pali or Sanskrit that can be translated roughly as association or assembly. It is commonly used in several senses to refer to Buddhist or Jain groups. ...

In Thailand, Voramai Kabilsingh helped begin a movement to allow ordination of women. Voramai Kabilsingh received the eight precepts of the Thai female renunciant (mae chi) from Phra Pronmuni of Wat Bovoranives. Her example eventually caused a number of young women to also seek ordination, donning yellow robes, and founding the first Thai monastery for Buddhist women. Mae Ji (sometimes transliterated Mae Chi) are Buddhist laywomen in Thailand who occupy a position somewhere between that of an ordinary lay follower and an ordained monk. ... Monastery of St. ...

In Indo-China Theravada tradition, many women continue to follow the spirit and often the letter of the bhikkhuni order's vows, as dedicated practitioners even though they are not allowed to ordain. They are considered mae chis, laywomen or “semi-ordained,” since they are not officially recognized by the Theravada Sangha. These women attempt to lead a life following the teachings of the Buddha. They observe 8-10 precepts, but do not follow exactly the same codes as ordained Buddhist monks. They receive popular recognition for their role but not official endorsement or (generally) educational support.

Bhikkhunis is Mahayana

In Japan, fully ordained women are usually called "尼さん(ama-san)." Some younger Japaneses are not familiar with the word "比丘尼(bhikkuṇī)." The most famous bhikkuṇī alive (as of 2006) in Japan is Jakucho Setouchi. But, the legendary bhikkuṇī in medeival Japan, 八百比丘尼(yao-bhikkuṇī), was believed to be a witch and is said to have lived more than 800 years ("yao" means "800"). Jakucho Setouchi (瀬戸内 寂聴 Setouchi Jakuchō, May 15, 1922 - ) is the name of the Buddhist nun, writer and activist formally known as Harumi Setouchi (瀬戸内 晴美). Biography Setouchi was born in Tokushima in 1922. ... This article is part of the Witchcraft series. ...

See also

• Buddhism
• Nuns
• International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha
• Sangha
• World Buddhist Sangha Council

A replica of an ancient statue of Gautama Buddha, found in Sarnath, near Varanasi. ... In general, a nun is a female ascetic who chooses to voluntarily leave the world and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent. ... Sangha is a word in Pali or Sanskrit that can be translated roughly as association or assembly. It is commonly used in several senses to refer to Buddhist or Jain groups. ...

External links

• The Bhikkhunis' Code of Discipline (Bhikkhuni Patimokkha) Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
• Buddhist Monastic Code II: Bhikkhunis
• the website of Santi Forest Monastery contains several (ancient and modern) texts on the role and ordination of women in Buddhism.

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