HistoryAncient India: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings

In Buddhism, who was the first woman to be ordained as a ‘bhikkhuni’?

In Buddhism, who was the first woman to be ordained as a ‘bhikkhuni’?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Mahapajapati Gotami

At first only men were admitted into the Buddhist sangha. Later women were also admitted, through the help of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s dearest disciples. Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha’s foster mother, was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni, a Buddhist nun.

Note: A same/similar question was asked in CUET (UG) in the papers below.

2026	2025	2024	2023	2022
11-05 S1 13-05 S1*	–	18-05 S1*	05-06 S3* 09-06 S1* 18-06 S3*	–

* A similar question.

NCERT (2025-26): “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.…”