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भिक्खुनी

Bhikkhunī

Nun / Female monastic

比丘尼

beginnerMonastic & Textual (僧典)

Grammar 語法

feminine noun (ī-stem): feminine of bhikkhu

Definition 釋義

An ordained Theravāda nun — one who has received full ordination and lives according to the 311 rules of the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha. The order of bhikkhunīs was founded by Mahāpajāpati Gotamī (the Buddha's aunt and stepmother) after the Buddha agreed, at Ānanda's request, to allow women full ordination. The bhikkhunī order had declined and disappeared in Theravāda countries but has been revived in modern times, particularly in Sri Lanka and the West, with considerable controversy regarding valid ordination lineages.

Canonical Example 典籍例句

Bhikkhunī saṅghassa upasampadā.

The full ordination of the order of nuns.

Source: Vinaya Cullavagga X (Bhikkhunīkkhandhaka)