Buddhism, a religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, is often thought of as a path of peace, mindfulness, and liberation from suffering. One question that many people have is whether women can become Buddhist monks. In this article, we will explore this question in depth, discussing the historical context, the role of women in Buddhism, the different schools of thought within Buddhist traditions, and the current situation regarding women in monastic life.
The Role of Women in Early Buddhism
In the early days of Buddhism, women were not always accepted into the monastic community. When the Buddha first began teaching, the monastic order (Sangha) was composed solely of men. However, Buddha’s aunt and foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami, sought permission from the Buddha to become a nun. At first, the Buddha was reluctant to allow women to join the Sangha. However, after much persuasion from Mahapajapati, he finally relented, establishing a separate order for women called the Bhikkhuni Sangha.
The Bhikkhuni Sangha was similar to the Bhikkhu Sangha (the order of male monks), but there were certain additional rules and restrictions placed on nuns. These rules were known as the “Eight Heavy Rules” (Garudhammas), which made the position of a female monk subordinate to male monks. Despite these restrictions, Mahapajapati Gotami became the first woman to be ordained as a nun in Buddhism.
The Eight Heavy Rules (Garudhammas)
The Garudhammas were a set of rules that applied specifically to female monastics, designed to regulate their behavior and position within the Sangha. Some of these rules were:
Nuns must pay respect to monks
A nun must always show respect to a monk, even if the monk is younger or lower in seniority than she is.
Nuns must seek approval from monks for ordination
A woman could only be ordained as a nun after being approved by the male monks.
Nuns must be subordinate to monks
Even in matters of monastic discipline, a nun’s authority was considered subordinate to that of a monk.
Nuns must be supervised by monks
Nuns were often required to follow the leadership and guidance of male monks, rather than being independent.
The establishment of these rules was controversial and created tension between the male and female monastics. However, despite these rules, many women chose to ordain as nuns and contributed greatly to the spread of Buddhism.
The Role of Women in Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism is one of the oldest schools of Buddhism and is practiced primarily in Southeast Asia, including countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia. In Theravada countries, the Bhikkhuni Sangha was historically suppressed. After centuries of neglect, female ordination in Theravada Buddhism was virtually nonexistent by the 12th century.
In recent decades, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in female ordination. Some Buddhist countries, like Sri Lanka, have seen the revival of the Bhikkhuni Sangha, with women once again being ordained as nuns. In Thailand, a group of female monastics has been working to establish a legitimate Bhikkhuni Sangha, but the Thai government and Sangha (the religious authority) have been slow to recognize these ordinations.
Despite these efforts, the recognition of female monks remains a contentious issue in Theravada Buddhism. Many conservative factions within the tradition still believe that women cannot attain the full ordination status that men hold, arguing that the Buddha’s original teachings should not be altered.
The Role of Women in Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism is the largest school of Buddhism and is practiced primarily in East Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. In Mahayana Buddhism, the status of women has generally been more inclusive, and female ordination has been more widely accepted.
In China, female ordination flourished, and Buddhist women were often highly respected. Some of the most famous Buddhist nuns in history, such as the Chinese nun Zongze, have been venerated for their deep spiritual practice and leadership. In Japan, the Soto Zen and Rinzai traditions have recognized female ordination, allowing women to become fully ordained monks (known as bhikkhuni or simply monks). However, in certain sects, such as the Tendai tradition, there are still debates about the full inclusion of women in monastic life.
Mahayana Buddhism also places strong emphasis on the Bodhisattva path, where men and women alike can aspire to become Bodhisattvas—beings who have attained enlightenment but choose to remain in the world to help others. This idea of universal compassion and enlightenment allows for a more inclusive view of women in Buddhism.
The Status of Women in Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism, another major school of Buddhism, has a complex view of women’s roles. Historically, women in Tibetan Buddhism have been allowed to become nuns, but the paths to full ordination have often been restricted. Tibetan Buddhist nuns do not always receive the same level of recognition and respect as monks.
In the past, there was little opportunity for Tibetan nuns to achieve the highest levels of learning and spiritual realization. However, over the last few decades, there has been significant progress. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has been a strong proponent of female empowerment within the tradition. He has supported the idea of women attaining the highest level of ordination and has expressed his wish to see women fully recognized in Tibetan Buddhism.
In 2016, the Dalai Lama acknowledged that the Bhikkhuni Sangha should be revived in Tibetan Buddhism, with the possibility for women to receive the same recognition and ordination as male monks. This has been a groundbreaking development in Tibetan Buddhism, where the concept of full ordination for women was previously not practiced.
Can Women Be Buddhist Monks Today?
The answer to this question depends largely on the Buddhist tradition and the country in question.
In Theravada Buddhism, full ordination for women remains rare, and women cannot become fully ordained monks in many countries, including Thailand and Burma. However, there has been growing support for female ordination, particularly in Sri Lanka, where women can now receive full ordination as nuns.
In Mahayana Buddhism, women have been more widely accepted as monks, and full ordination is more common. In Tibetan Buddhism, there has been a shift toward recognizing women in monastic life, and the possibility of full ordination for women has been slowly gaining support, especially under the guidance of leaders like the Dalai Lama.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, women can be Buddhist monks. While historically their role has been restricted, particularly in Theravada Buddhism, there has been significant progress in recent years. Mahayana Buddhism has been more inclusive of female ordination, and Tibetan Buddhism is beginning to recognize the need for full ordination for women.
As Buddhist societies evolve and become more open-minded, it is likely that women will continue to find a greater place in monastic life. This would not only benefit women but also contribute to the richness and diversity of the Buddhist tradition, allowing both male and female practitioners to work together toward the common goal of enlightenment.
