Who was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Buddha’s foster mother
The Buddha’s foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni, after Ananda persuaded the Buddha to admit women into the sangha.
NCERT (2026-27): “6. Followers of the Buddha … 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.…” |