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Grammatical Analysis
Bhikkhunī: [f.] Fully ordained Buddhist nun; almswoman. Feminine form of bhikkhu, derived from the root bhikkh (to beg, to ask for alms).
Orthodox Definition
A Bhikkhunī is a fully ordained female monastic in the Buddhist tradition. To achieve this status, a woman must undergo a rigorous dual-ordination process (ubhatosaṅgha-upasampadā): first receiving ordination from a quorum of Bhikkhunīs, and then receiving it again from a quorum of Bhikkhus.
A Theravāda Bhikkhunī is bound by 311 Pātimokkha rules, compared to the 227 rules for monks. Furthermore, at the inception of the order, Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī (the Buddha’s foster mother) had to accept the Eight Heavy Rules (Garudhamma) to establish the order, structurally placing the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha in a position of respect toward the Bhikkhu Saṅgha, regardless of seniority.
Despite these structural differences in Vinaya, doctrinally, the capacity of a Bhikkhunī to attain Arahatship and full liberation is absolutely identical to that of a Bhikkhu.
The rules are quite restrictive, and a bhikkhunī commits a saṅghādisesa rule requiring two weeks probation if she merely travels or sleeps alone.
Quote
691. ‘‘yā pana bhikkhunī ekā vā gāmantaraṃ gaccheyya, ekā vā nadīpāraṃ gaccheyya, ekā vā rattiṃ vippavaseyya, ekā vā gaṇamhā ohīyeyya, ayampi bhikkhunī paṭhamāpattikaṃ dhammaṃ āpannā nissāraṇīyaṃ saṅghādisesa’’nti.
“Whatever bhikkhuni goes to a village alone, or crosses a river alone, or spends a night alone away from her companions, or lags behind alone from her group, this bhikkhuni also has fallen into the first offense, a Saṅghādisesa requiring rehabilitation.”— Pācittiyapāḷi, Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, Saṅghādisesa 3
Textual References
- Vinaya: Pācittiyapāḷi (Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, Saṅghādisesa 3) – The rule detailing the saṅghādisesa offense for a bhikkhunī who travels, crosses a river, spends the night, or lags behind a group alone.
- Vinaya: Cūḷavagga (Bhikkhunīkhandhaka) – The historical account of Ānanda’s intercession and the founding of the nun’s order.
- Canonical: Therīgāthā – The verses of the elder nuns, testifying to their supreme spiritual attainments.
- Commentary: Samantapāsādikā – The detailed legal framework governing the dual-ordination process.