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| Saturday, 2 October 2004 |
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Buddhist women and Higher Ordination by H.M. Nemsiri Mutukumara Women of Sri Lanka are confronted with a serious challenge from within and outside. Certain groups representing foreign Non-Governmental organisations are trying to capitalise the innocence of our females - particularly the Buddhists. Others - those within are trying to prey on the innocent ignorance of even the absence of priests in the dispensation of Sakyamuni Gotama, the Buddha, by those who have assumed leadership in society. This threatening challenge has to be fearlessly met by the Buddhist women, sooner or later, sooner the better. Otherwise this situation will snowball into a formidable canker that is capable of destroying the vitality of the Buddhist way of life. Those keenly interested in joining the order of Buddhist Nuns as Dasasilavantis or Samaneris will be in a dilemma. Nowhere in the Theravada countries, the Upasampada or Higher Ordination for Buddhist women exist. In Sri Lanka, there was none to espouse the cause of the Bhikkhuni Sangha order after King Vijayabahu I. This pathetic situation had taken place despite the fact that Bhikkhuni Devasra, a Sinhala Bhikkhuni had visited China in the fourth century (According to the Gregorian Calendar) and established the Theravada Bhikkuni Sangha Order. At that time China was a Buddhist country. Chinese rulers supported Buddha Sasana with their support and mass backing Buddhism flourished everywhere in the sprawling landmass. Due to foreign invasions Buddha Sasana disappeared, the Viharas and Dagabas deserted and libraries neglected totally. A few remaining Bhikkhus and Bhikkunis took whatever manuscripts they could carry in their patra - the alms bowl and the robes and went into jungle. In recent times, internal conflicts, revolutions like the cultural revolution during the time of Chairman Mao Tse Tung Bhikkhunis and Bhikkus were forced into slave labour camps. Those who refused to obey the commissar were beheaded. After many centuries, China is today seeking the support of Sri Lanka to re-establish Theravada Buddha Sasana in that country. None of the Theravada countries accept the possibility of giving Upasampada or Higher Ordination to women. Nepal, the Birthplace of Bodhisatta - the Buddha-to-be, forbade Buddhist Nuns wearing the Theravada robe. Mahanyana Vietnam The Therawada Bhikkhus in predominantly Mahanyana Vietnam, the first batch of Buddhist Nuns who were ordained in Theravada tradition in the year 2544 in the Buddhist era (2000) say they will not go against the tradition of the country. The Viharadhipati of a Vihara in Myanmar, the Buddhist land of Highly disciplined Bhikkus Sangha - has advised a Samaneri that in Myanmar cannot entertain the new fad of Buddhist women. A Senior Bhikkhu in Bangladesh at a conference held in Delhi in India in February 2004, has reprimanded the Nuns who were draped in Theravada robe. Women can aspire to receive only Atthanga Sila - Eight Precepts - in the Buddhist Kingdom of Thailand. Due to this kind of situation not a single follower of the Ambedkar Movement in India has chosen to become a Buddhist Nun. The world knows, how millions of people left their kovils and pusaris and embraced the Buddha Dhamma from the Most Venerable Professor Dr. Hammalava Saddhatissa Maha Nayaka Thera. The Most Venerable Sadhatissa Mahanayaka Thera advised Buddhist women not to steal the Theravada robe. When Upasampada is not in existence in Theravada, anyone donning the Theravada robe commits theft. He made this public statement at a Buddhist conference held at Ranmutugala, Kadawatha. As I said before, Buddhist women have to solve this issue soon before it is too late. Any Sri Lanka woman or anybody from any other country are welcome to enter the Order of Buddhist Nuns in the Mahayana Nunnery in Kaushing in Taiwan. Before entering the Nunnery the aspirant should wear the Mahayana robe - the dark brown dress. Having become a Mahayana Bhikkuni, is it possible for her to discard the Mahayana Nuns robe and drape the Theravada robe? This is the question at issue. Dr. Kusuma Dewendra - a learned Buddhist lady, proficient in Pali - knows all the details of these ceremonies. There are two options for the Buddhist women to take. Both these options, once taken Buddhist women will enhance their prestige beyond the shores of Lanka. Besides, they will definitely kindle the enthusiasm of women in the Northern and Eastern provinces and those in the Hill Country. Plantation sector joining the mainstream of Buddhism to lead a free and prosperous life in the dispensation of Sakyamuni Buddha in Sri Lanka. |
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