Indian Antiquary Vol 57

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 83

APRIL, 1928)
BUDDHIST WOMEN
BUDDHIST WOMEN. BY DR. BIMALA CHURN LAW, M.A., B.L, PE D.
(Continued from page 54.) Uttard came of a certain clansmen's family at Såvatthi. When grown up she heard Patåcårå preach the Norm. She became a believer, entered the Order and became an arhat. (Th. Commy, pp. 161-162.)
Ottari was a theri who was 120 years old. She went to beg for alms. Once, while going for alms, she met the Buddha on the way and when going to salute him, she fell down. The Buddha delivered a sermon to her, and she having attained the first stage of sanctification died. (D.C., vol. III, p. 110.)
Khuijuttara was the maid servant of Sâmâvati, queen of King Udena of Kosambi. Her daily duty was to buy flowers from Sumaņa, a garland-maker for eight kahá panas. Once the Buddha together with the bhikkhusamgha was invited to take meals in Sumaņa's house. Khujjuttard waited on her and heard the sermon delivered by the Buddha. She obtained sotâ pattiphalam after hearing the sermon. In former days she used to steal four kaha panas out of eight kahá panas given to her by her mistress for buying flowers. After having obtained sotápattiphalam she brought flowers to the value of eight kahá panas. She confessed her guilt when asked why she brought such a large quantity of flowers. She told Samavati that she had acquired knowledge and came to realise that stealing things is a sin committed by a person who listened to the Buddha's sermon. Sâmâvati after listening to the dhamma repeated by her obtained sotápattiphalań. She was well versed in Tripitaka. (D.C., I, pp. 208 f.)
Dinnd was an updsikå of the Buddha. She was the queen of King Uggasena. A king pro. mised to the deity of a nigrodha tree that he would worship the deity with the blood of one hundred kings of Jambudîpa if he got the throne after his father's death. He then defeated all the kings gradually and went to worship the deity, but the deity, seeing that many kings would be killed, being compassionate to them, refused his worship on the ground that the queen of King Uggasena whom he had defeated was not brought. The king had her brought, and she preached a sermon on the avoidance of life-slaughter in their presence. The deity approved and the king refrained from life-slaughter, and released the defeated and captured kings, who praised Dinnå for this act. It was due to her that so many kings were saved. (D.C., II, p. 15 f.)
Sond came of a clansmen's family at Savatthi. In course of time, after marriage, she became the mother of ten sons and was known as Bahuputtika. The Dhamma pada Commy. says that she had seven sons and seven daughters (D.C., II, pp. 276--278). On her husband renouncing the world she divided all her riches equally between her sons. In a very short time her sons and daughters-in-law ceased to show respect. She then entered the Order of the bhikkhunis and began to practise insight strenuously in her old age. The master gave her suitable instructions. Sonâ Bhikkhuni then attained arhatship. (Th. Commy,, 95.) She occupied the foremost place among the bhikkhunis, making great exertion (Manorathapurani, 218-219; cf. A.N., I, 125).
Bhadda Kundala kesd came of the family of a banker at Rajagaha. When grown up, she one day saw Satthuka, the purohita's son, being led to execution by the city guard. She fell in love with him at first sight. She resolved to die if she did not get him. Her father heard of this and got Satthuka released by bribing the guard heavily. Satthuka was brought to Bhadda, who, decked in jewels, waited upon him. He saw her jewels and coveted them. He told Bhaddá to get ready an offering to be given to the cliff deity. Bhadda did 80. She adorned herself with all her jewels and accompanied her husband to the precipice with an offering. On reaching the top of the precipice, Satthuka told her to put off all her ornaments which he had come there to take. In vain Bhadda pleaded that she herself and all her ornaments belonged to him. Satthuka did not take any notice of her pleadings. He wanted all her ornaments. Bhadda then prayed for an embrace with all her jewels on.