Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings

Question:

According to Buddhist texts, whose mediation made the entry of women in Buddhist 'sangha' possible?

Options:

Mahaprajapati Gotami

Punna

Ananda

Asoka

Correct Answer:

Ananda

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) → Ananda

According to Buddhist texts, Ananda's mediation made the entry of women in Buddhist 'sangha' possible.

Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted. According to Buddhist texts, this was made possible through the mediation of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s dearest disciples, who persuaded him to allow women into the sangha. The Buddha’s foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. Many women who entered the sangha became teachers of dhamma and went on to become theris, or respected women who had attained liberation.