Read the passage and answer the question: The Therigatha This unique Buddhist text, part of the Sutta Pitaka, is a collection of verses composed by bhikkhunis. It provides an insight into women's social and spiritual experiences. Punna, a desi or slave woman, went to the river each morning to fetch water for her master's household. There she would daily see a Brahmana performing bathing rituals. One morning she spoke to him. The following are verses composed by Punna, recording her conversation with the Brahmana: I am a water carrier: (Though) your limbs shake with the bitter cold? Punna said: |
First woman to be ordained as a 'bhikkhuni': |
Mahapajapati Gotami Queen Kamlavati Punna Ananda |
Mahapajapati Gotami |
The correct answer is Option (1) → Mahapajapati Gotami Initially, the sangha comprised only men, but eventually, the admission of women followed. According to Buddhist scriptures, Ananda, a close disciple of the Buddha, played a crucial role in facilitating this change, persuading the Buddha to admit women into the sangha. Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha's foster mother, held the distinction of being the first woman to receive ordination as a bhikkhuni. |