__________ was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni in the Buddhism.

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

SSC CGL 2023 Tier-I Official Paper (Held On: 18 Jul 2023 Shift 3)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Mahaprajapati Gotami

Key Points

Mahapajapati Gotami:-
- Buddha’s foster mother Mahaprajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni.
- Mahapajapati Gotami was the foster-mother, step-mother, and maternal aunt (mother's sister) of the Buddha.
- In the Buddhist tradition, she was the first woman to seek ordination for women, which she did from Gautama Buddha directly, and she became the first bhikkhuni (Buddhist nun).
- Tradition says Maya and Mahapajapati Gotami were Koliyan princess and sisters of Suppabuddha.
- Mahapajapati was both the Buddha's maternal aunt and adoptive mother, raising him after her sister Maya, the Buddha's birth mother died.
- She was considered the kindest mother who raised Siddhartha as her own child.

Additional Information

Dhammananda Bhikkhuni:-
- Her birth name is Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, is a prominent figure in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.
- She was born in Thailand in 1944 and is known for her significant contributions to the ordination and recognition of women as fully ordained Buddhist monastics (bhikkhunis) in the Theravada tradition.
Sujata:-
- She is also known as Sujata Kheema, is a figure from Buddhist tradition who played a significant role in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha.
- Sujata's story is often referenced in Buddhist texts and teachings, illustrating moments of compassion, generosity, and the path to enlightenment.
Sanghamitta:-
- She was a historical figure in Buddhism who played a crucial role in the spread and establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka during the ancient times.
- She was the daughter of Emperor Ashoka, one of the most renowned rulers of the Maurya Empire in India.
- Sanghamitta is particularly known for her efforts in introducing the Theravada Buddhist monastic tradition to Sri Lanka and for her contribution to the propagation of Buddhism in the region.