Gotami Cuts Her Hair

The First Buddhist Nun Stands Her Ground

The third time the Buddha refused Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī’s request to be ordained, she cut off her hair to demonstrate her determination to study The Way. After Ananda interceded on her behalf, she became the first Buddhist nun. Painting by Marcia Lieberman; follow her on Instagram: @marcia1ieberman.

Mahāpajāpatī’s awakening verse as translated by Susan Murcott:

Homage to you Buddha, best of all creatures, who set me and many other people from pain. . . I have been mother, son, father, brother, grandmother; knowing nothing of the truth I journeyed on. . . .But I have seen the Blessed One; this is my last body, and I will not go from birth to birth again. . . Maya gave birth to Gautama for the sake of us all. She has driven back the pain of the sick and dying.

To read more about the Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī, see my previous SparkZen post:

[The Sunday Spark will return on May 8th. Thank you for your continued support and interest. Bows, Rev. Shoren Heather]