The gathering : a story of the first Buddhist women
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The gathering : a story of the first Buddhist women
Equinox, 2023
- : hardback
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [267]-277)
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Sasson's new book is a retelling of the story of the women's request for ordination. Inspired in particular by the Therigatha and building on years of research and experience in the field, Sasson follows Vimala, Patachara, Bhadda Kundalakesa, and many others as they walk through the forest to request full access to the tradition. The Buddha's response to this request is famously complicated and multi-faceted; he eventually accepts women into the Order, but attaches specific and controversial conditions (garudhammas). Sasson invites us to think about who these first Buddhist women might have been, what they hoped to achieve, and what these conditions might have meant to them thereafter. By shaping her research into a story, Sasson invites readers to imagine a world that continues to inspire and complicate Buddhist narrative to this day.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Many Years Later: Vimala Remembers
Chapter 1: The Buddha Said No
Chapter 2: Vimala’s Story Begins
Chapter 3: The Leap
Chapter 4: The Gathering
Chapter 5: The Past Comes Charging In
Many Years Later: Vimala and Darshani
Chapter 6: The Walking Begins
Chapter 7: Patachara
Chapter 8: Beads and Mirrors
Chapter 9: The Long Road
Chapter 10: Flying Horses
Chapter 11: The Flying Sage
Chapter 12: River Mud
Chapter 13: Vesali
Chapter 14: Hollowed-Out Mess
Chapter 15: The Great Woman Tree
Chapter 16: Bhadda Kundalakesa
Chapter 17: Muttering and Mad
Chapter 18: Motherhood Lost and Found
Chapter 19: Ananda
Chapter 20: The Eight Heavies
Many Years Later: The Great Immensity
Study Questions
by "Nielsen BookData"