Difference between revisions of "Nun"
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[[File:Nuns.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Nuns.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | A [[nun]] (bhikkhuṇī) is a woman who has renounced ordinary {{Wiki|society}} to [[live]] a celibate [[monastic]] [[life]]. The contemporary terms ‘{{Wiki|female}} [[monk]]’ or ‘{{Wiki|female}} | + | A [[nun]] (bhikkhuṇī) is a woman who has renounced ordinary {{Wiki|society}} to [[live]] a [[celibate]] [[monastic]] [[life]]. The contemporary terms ‘{{Wiki|female}} [[monk]]’ or ‘{{Wiki|female}} [[priest]]’ are misnomers. [[Nuns]] are the second of the four members of the [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|community}} ([[parisā]]), the others {{Wiki|being}} [[monks]], lay men and lay women. To be properly [[ordained]], a [[nun]] must be [[ordained]] first by a quorum of [[monks]] and then a second [[time]] by a quorum of [[nuns]]. Some [[nuns]] in the [[scriptures]] are described as {{Wiki|being}} learned ([[bahussuta]]), eloquent ([[bhāṇika]]), confident ([[visārada]]) and [[outstanding]] at [[teaching]] the [[Dhamma]] ([[paṭṭha dhammaṃ kattaṃ katuṃ]], Vin.IV,290). |
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At the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]] [[nuns]] were usually addressed both by other [[nuns]] and by [[lay people]] as ‘[[noble lady]]’ ([[ayye]]). [[Monks]] would usually address them as ‘[[sister]]’ ([[bhaginī]]). | At the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]] [[nuns]] were usually addressed both by other [[nuns]] and by [[lay people]] as ‘[[noble lady]]’ ([[ayye]]). [[Monks]] would usually address them as ‘[[sister]]’ ([[bhaginī]]). | ||
| − | In [[Theravāda]] lands, the nun’s [[lineage]] [[died]] out around the turn of the first millennium and {{Wiki|traditionalists}} do not believe that it can or should be revived because there are no [[nuns]] to ordain new [[nuns]]. However, the [[nuns]]’ [[lineage]] continues in most [[Mahāyāna]] countries, and in places like {{Wiki|Taiwan}}, [[nuns]] are a dynamic and respected presence within the [[Buddhist]] community. See [[Household Life]] and [[Mahā Pajāpatī Gotamī]]. | + | |
| + | In [[Theravāda]] lands, the [[nun’s]] [[lineage]] [[died]] out around the turn of the first millennium and {{Wiki|traditionalists}} do not believe that it can or should be revived because there are no [[nuns]] to ordain new [[nuns]]. However, the [[nuns]]’ [[lineage]] continues in most [[Mahāyāna]] countries, and in places like {{Wiki|Taiwan}}, [[nuns]] are a dynamic and respected presence within the [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|community}}. See [[Household Life]] and [[Mahā Pajāpatī Gotamī]]. | ||
Women Under Primitive [[Buddhism]], I. B. Horner, 1990. | Women Under Primitive [[Buddhism]], I. B. Horner, 1990. | ||
Revision as of 19:14, 23 January 2015
A nun (bhikkhuṇī) is a woman who has renounced ordinary society to live a celibate monastic life. The contemporary terms ‘female monk’ or ‘female priest’ are misnomers. Nuns are the second of the four members of the Buddhist community (parisā), the others being monks, lay men and lay women. To be properly ordained, a nun must be ordained first by a quorum of monks and then a second time by a quorum of nuns. Some nuns in the scriptures are described as being learned (bahussuta), eloquent (bhāṇika), confident (visārada) and outstanding at teaching the Dhamma (paṭṭha dhammaṃ kattaṃ katuṃ, Vin.IV,290).
At the time of the Buddha nuns were usually addressed both by other nuns and by lay people as ‘noble lady’ (ayye). Monks would usually address them as ‘sister’ (bhaginī).
In Theravāda lands, the nun’s lineage died out around the turn of the first millennium and traditionalists do not believe that it can or should be revived because there are no nuns to ordain new nuns. However, the nuns’ lineage continues in most Mahāyāna countries, and in places like Taiwan, nuns are a dynamic and respected presence within the Buddhist community. See Household Life and Mahā Pajāpatī Gotamī.
Women Under Primitive Buddhism, I. B. Horner, 1990.
