Question

Who amongst the following persuaded the Buddha to admit women in the Sangha ?

• A. Mahapajapati Gotami
• B. Rahul
• C. Anda
• D. Pun

Hint:

Remember the distinct division of roles in this landmark event: Applicant: Mahapajapati Gotami $\rightarrow$ Intermediary Persuader: Anda
$\dowrrow$
Resulted in the creation of the Bhikkhuni Sangha at Vaishali.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The Buddhist *Sangha* (mostic order) was initially composed entirely of male monks (*bhikkhus*). The expansion of this institution to accommodate female ascetics (*bhikkhunis*) represented a major sociological milestone in early Buddhist history, accomplished through deliberate interl dialogue.

Step 1: Examining the historical sequence of events at Vaishali.
Following the death of the Buddha's father, King Suddhoda, the Buddha's foster mother and materl aunt, Mahapajapati Gotami, sought to renounce secular life and join the mostic order. She approached the Buddha while he was staying at the Mahava mostery in Vaishali, requesting the creation of a female order. The Buddha initially refused her request multiple times.

Step 2: Alyzing the role played by Anda.
Seeing Mahapajapati Gotami weeping outside the mostery with swollen feet and dust-covered clothes, Anda, the Buddha's persol attendant and closest disciple, decided to advocate on her behalf.
• Anda systematically reasoned with the Buddha, asking directly whether women were spiritually capable of achieving enlightenment (*Arhatship*) if they followed the mostic path.
• The Buddha explicitly confirmed that women possessed the absolute spiritual capacity to realize the highest stages of liberation.
• Relying on this core philosophical truth, Anda pleaded that since Mahapajapati Gotami had nursed the Buddha during his infancy, she deserved the opportunity to find refuge in the Dhamma.
• Convinced by Anda's logical and emotiol appeal, the Buddha relented and formally granted women permission to enter the Sangha, provided they adhered to eight strict discipliry rules (*Garudhamma*).

Step 3: Distinguishing between characters.

• (A) Mahapajapati Gotami was the person who desired entry and subsequently became the very first Buddhist nun (*bhikkhuni*), but she did not do the direct theological persuasion.
• (B) Rahul was the biological son of Gautama Buddha and a member of the Sangha, but played no role in this governce dispute.
• (D) Pun was an early female disciple and nun, famous for her spiritual verses preserved in the *Therigatha*, but she did not lead this debate. Therefore, Anda was the individual who directly persuaded the Buddha.