Theos-Talk Archives (November 1996 Message tl00397)

Message text written by INTERNET:theos-l@vnet.net
>e this request with tears, and he answered:

    "Enough, lady.  Do not make this request."

So wandering and teaching he came to Vaishali, and Prajapati with shorn hair
and yellow robes, followed by many of the Shakya ladies, journeyed there on
foot and waited in the porch of the Pagoda Hall, very sorrowful.  There the
beloved disciple Ananda, cousin of the Buddha, met them and seeing their
feet cut and bleeding from travel, and their faces covered with dust and
tears, asked the reason.  Having heard all he went to the Buddha and
besought for these women and was refused.  Again and yet again he
besought--in vain.  But pity urged Ananda to perserverance, and he said:

    "Lord, if women retire to the homeless life, is it possible for them to
attain Arahatship [the higher consciousness]?  Escaping from sorrow can they
reach this?"

And he in who is all truth answered:

    "They can attain."

Then Ananda gladdened (his name means Joy), and he said:

    "Then let the Blessed One think of the Lady Prajapati!  She is sister to
the mother of the Blessed One, and at her breast he was nourished.  Let them
be admitted.  If they can thus end sorrow, should it not be permitted?"

And the Buddha answered:

    "I cannot refuse.  If they will accept eight weighty rules in addition
to those accepted by the Order and will be subject to the Order it shall be
reckoned to them for ordination."

Keith:  Dear Kym:  I am confused by this post and you are probably by most of
mine.  Why did the women affect Buddha's religion enduring?  I assume you are of
the female persuasion as I am, but you probably have female genitalia which I
don't.  But what differences does that make.  Spirituality doen't need genetalia
to endure or even be COOL!

a realy COOL nasaste
Keith Price