While the Buddha eventually permitted women to ordain it was a radical experiment for its time and the bhikkhuni Sangha were required to accept many extra conditions. Today in some societies, ordained and lay women still struggle to be fully recognised as spiritual leaders above the authority of men and it is still somewhat contested as to whether women can attain enlightenment in a female body. As part of International Women’s Day celebrations (March 8), I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to some of our very wonderful historical and contemporary Buddhist women.

In the Soma Sutta the bhiksuni Soma is addressed by the evil god Mara:

“That state’s very challenging; it’s for the sages to attain.
It’s not possible for a woman, with her two-fingered wisdom.”

Soma responds to Mara’s taunt:
“What difference does womanhood make when the mind is serene,
and knowledge is present as you rightly discern the Dhamma.
Surely someone who might think: ‘I am woman’, or ‘I am man’, or ‘I am’ anything at all,
is fit for Mara to address.”

At this response, Mara disappears.

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