Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings

Question:

Who persuaded Buddha to allow women into the sangha?

Options:

Ajatasattu

Makkhali Gosala

Mahapajapati Gotami

Ananda

Correct Answer:

Ananda

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (4) → Ananda

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.