Assistant Professor, Department of History, DCAC College, University of Delhi
[Article History: Received: 06 Feb 2024. Revised: 10 Feb 2024. Accepted: 18 Feb 2024. Published: 22 Feb 2024]
Abstract
The Therīgāthā, a collection of poems from the ninth book of the Khuddaka Nikāya, offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of early Buddhist nuns (bhikkhunis). These 73 poems, spanning 522 stanzas, unveil compelling narratives of women who navigated the constraints of a patriarchal society to embrace a path of religious life. Beyond mere struggles and triumphs, the Therīgāthā presents a unique lens through which to explore counter-resistance to deeply embedded cultural norms and the construction of alternative power structures within a nascent religious order.
Positioned within the context of early Buddhism’s evolving relationship with gender, the Therīgāthā provides crucial insights into the radical act of choosing a celibate life. This decision transcended the procreative expectations imposed on women by societal norms, offering a potent challenge to the existing social order. Furthermore, religious life presented a space for these marginalised women to articulate their own experiences, express agency, and contribute to the shaping of their communities.
However, the voices of these women have long been obscured by the androcentric tendencies of early Buddhist textual traditions. Employing feminist critical hermeneutics, this research seeks to reclaim and amplify the narratives of the Therīgāthā nuns. By critically examining the social and historical context in which these poems were composed, we can begin to reconstruct their lived experiences and contributions to the evolving Buddhist landscape.
Ultimately, the Therīgāthā stands as a testament to women’s resilience, agency, and transformative power within early Buddhist communities. By excavating their voices and re-examining their historical significance, we can enrich our understanding of early Buddhism and contribute to a more inclusive and nuanced narrative of human history.
Keywords: Therīgāthā, Bhikkhunis, Early Buddhism, Feminist Critical Hermeneutics, Gender, and Religious Resistance