On Women as Teachers in Early Buddhism
Dhammadinna and Khema
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/bsrv.v27i1.17Keywords:
Buddhist women, Buddhist nuns, Dhammadinnā, and KhemāAbstract
The present article investigates two prominent bhikkhunis, Dhammadinna and Khema, who were renowned for their preaching abilities in the time of the Buddha. It focuses on two texts of the Sutta-pitaka, the Culavedalla-sutta and the Khema-sutta, and demonstrates how and why these texts were among the most authoritative in providing a measure for spiritual leadership among bhikkhunis in early Buddhism. Among women who taught the Dhamma, Dhammadinna and Khema attract attention because the texts show them even teaching male listeners of high status. The examples of female leadership presented here challenge any view that throws doubt on the spiritual capability of women and may be used as models by contemporary Buddhist nuns.
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