Buddhism is a religion that originated in India over 2,500 years ago, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. Since its inception, Buddhism has spread across many parts of the world and has evolved into various schools of thought and traditions. A common question that arises within the Buddhist community and beyond is whether Buddhism allows female monks. This question touches on various aspects of Buddhist teachings, history, and the role of women in monastic life.
In this article, we will explore the history, teachings, and contemporary practices of Buddhism regarding female monks. We will examine the role of women in early Buddhism, the challenges female monks face today, and the developments that have allowed for female monks in various Buddhist traditions. We will also discuss the importance of gender equality in Buddhism, the different Buddhist sects, and how they approach the issue of female monasticism.
Early Buddhism and Female Monks
The Role of Women in Early Buddhist Monasticism
In the early days of Buddhism, the Buddha established a monastic community known as the Sangha, which consisted of both male and female monks. However, while the Buddha allowed women to join the Sangha and follow the path of enlightenment, he imposed certain rules and restrictions on female monastics.
The most significant historical account of female monks in Buddhism can be found in the Pali Canon, which is a collection of scriptures that form the foundation of Theravada Buddhism. According to the Pali Canon, the Buddha initially hesitated to ordain women as monks. He was concerned that their inclusion in the Sangha might lead to challenges in maintaining discipline and the purity of the monastic order.
Despite these concerns, the Buddha eventually allowed women to become nuns, but only after his aunt and foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, requested permission to be ordained. This event is recorded in the “Therigatha,” a collection of poems written by early female monks. The Buddha agreed to Mahapajapati’s request and laid down additional rules, known as the “Eight Heavy Rules” (Garudhammas), which specifically applied to female monks.
The Eight Heavy Rules
The Eight Heavy Rules were a set of guidelines that female monks had to follow in addition to the basic monastic rules shared by both male and female monks. These rules were designed to reflect the Buddha’s concerns about the potential challenges that female monks might face in a male-dominated monastic community. The rules include:
A female monk must always respect a male monk, regardless of the monk’s age or seniority.
A female monk must live in a community where there are male monks.
A female monk must ask a male monk for permission to perform certain rituals or tasks.
A female monk must undergo a probationary period of two years before being fully ordained.
A female monk is not allowed to ordain a male monk.
A female monk must show humility in her relationship with male monks and always defer to them.
A female monk must not live in isolation or without the guidance of a male monk.
A female monk must be subservient to male monks in all matters of discipline and conduct.
While these rules were established in early Buddhism, they also highlight the limitations imposed on women in the monastic community. The presence of these rules, especially the emphasis on female monks’ subordination to male monks, has led to debates about the role of women in Buddhism and whether these rules were truly in line with the Buddha’s original teachings.
Female Monks in Different Buddhist Traditions
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism, and it remains the most prominent school of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. In Theravada countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar, the ordination of female monks is a controversial issue.
In traditional Theravada Buddhism, the ordination of women as full monks is not recognized. Although women can become nuns (bhikkhuni) and live a monastic life, they do not receive the same status as male monks. In some countries like Sri Lanka, the bhikkhuni ordination line was discontinued for centuries, and women could not become fully ordained monks.
However, in recent decades, efforts have been made to revive the bhikkhuni ordination in Theravada Buddhism. Some female monks in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other Theravada countries have been advocating for the recognition of female monks as equal to their male counterparts. These efforts have faced resistance from conservative Buddhist monks who argue that the ordination of female monks goes against the teachings of the Buddha and the traditional rules established for women in the monastic community.
Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism is another major branch of Buddhism, and it is more widely practiced in East Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. In Mahayana Buddhism, the role of women in monastic life is somewhat different from that in Theravada Buddhism.
In many Mahayana countries, female monks are more widely accepted, and some Mahayana traditions recognize female monks as equal to male monks in terms of spiritual practice and ordination. For example, in China, the ordination of female monks is accepted, and women can receive the full monastic vows, becoming bhiksuni (female monks). In Japan, women can also be ordained as monks, although there are some traditions that restrict women from holding higher positions in the Buddhist clergy.
One key difference between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism is that Mahayana teachings emphasize the idea of the Bodhisattva path, where both men and women can aspire to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. This approach has contributed to a greater acceptance of female monastics within the Mahayana tradition, as it emphasizes equality and compassion for all beings, regardless of gender.
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism, which is part of the Vajrayana tradition, has its own unique perspective on female monastics. Historically, women in Tibet have faced many challenges in terms of religious leadership, and the ordination of female monks has been a contentious issue.
In Tibet, the highest level of monastic ordination is not typically open to women. However, Tibetan Buddhism has long allowed women to become nuns and live a monastic life. While nuns in Tibetan Buddhism are generally not allowed to become full-fledged monks (bhikkhus), there are exceptions. For instance, in some Tibetan Buddhist lineages, nuns can receive the full vows and are referred to as bhiksuni.
In recent years, the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders have advocated for the ordination of women as bhiksunis, especially in the West. Tibetan Buddhists in countries like the United States and Europe have established monastic communities where women can receive full ordination and live as female monks. These efforts are seen as a significant step toward gender equality in Tibetan Buddhism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Buddhism does allow female monks, but the path to full ordination has not always been clear or open to women. The history of female monasticism in Buddhism is complex, with varying practices and interpretations across different Buddhist traditions. While early Buddhism imposed certain restrictions on female monks, contemporary Buddhist communities are working toward greater gender equality, and female monks are increasingly recognized and respected in many parts of the Buddhist world.
The inclusion of women in the monastic community is not only a matter of tradition but also a reflection of the values of compassion, equality, and respect for all beings that are central to the teachings of the Buddha. As the role of women in Buddhism continues to evolve, it is clear that female monks will play an important part in the future of the Buddhist faith.
