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made unique by the presence of five hundred saffron-robed bhikkhus who represented the Way of the Buddha. In addition to the traditional
brahmana prayers and recitations, sutras of the Way were chanted. The bhikkhus chanted the Four Noble Truths, the Sutra on
Impermanence, the Sutra on Fire, the Sutra on Dependent Co-arising, and the Three Refuges. They chanted in the tongue of Magadhi,
which was spoken by all the peoples east of the Ganga.
The Buddha slowly circled the funeral pyre three times. Before he lit the funeral pyre, he said, “Birth, old age, sickness, and death occur
in the life of all persons. We should reflect on birth, old age, sickness, and death every day in order to prevent ourselves from becoming lost
in desires and in order to be able to create a life filled with peace, joy, and contentment. A person who has attained the Way looks on birth,
old age, sickness, and death with equanimity. The true nature of all dharmas is that there is neither birth nor death, neither production nor
destruction, neither increasing nor decreasing.”
Once lit, flames consumed the pyre. The sound of gongs and drums intertwined with chanting. The people of Kapilavatthu attended in
great numbers to see the Buddha light the king’s funeral pyre.
After Mahanama’s coronation, the Buddha remained in Kapilavatthu for three months. One day Mahapajapati Gotami visited him at
Nigrodha Park. She offered a number of robes and also requested to be ordained as a nun. She said, “If you will allow women to be
ordained, many will benefit. Among our clan, many princes have left home to become your disciples. Many of them had wives. Now their
wives desire to study the Dharma as nuns. I want to be ordained myself. It would bring me great joy. This has been my sole desire since the
king died.”
The Buddha was silent for a long moment before he said, “It is not possible.”
Lady Pajapati pleaded, “I know this is a difficult issue for you. If you accept women into the sangha you will be met with protest and
resistance from society. But I do not believe you are afraid of such reactions.”
Again the Buddha was silent. He said, “In Rajagaha, there are also a number of women who want to be ordained, but I don’t believe it is
the right time yet. Conditions are not yet ripe to accept women in the sangha.”
Gotami pleaded three times with him, but his answer remained the same. Deeply disappointed, she departed. When she returned to the
palace she told Yasodhara of the Buddha’s response.
A few days later, the Buddha returned to Vesali. After his departure, Gotami gathered all the women who wished to be ordained. They
included a number of young women who had never been married. All the women belonged to the Sakya clan. She told them, “I know
beyond a doubt that in the Way of Awakening, all people are equal. Everyone has the capacity to be enlightened and liberated. The
Buddha has said so himself. He has accepted untouchables into the sangha. There is no reason he should not accept women. We are full
persons too. We can attain enlightenment and liberation. There is no reason to regard women as inferior.
“I suggest we shave our heads, get rid of our fine clothes and jewels, put on the yellow robes of bhikkhus, and walk barefoot to Vesali
where we will ask to be ordained. In this way we will prove to the Buddha and everyone else that we are capable of living simply and
practicing the Way. We will walk hundreds of miles and beg for our food. This is the only hope we have to be accepted into the sangha.”
All the women agreed with Gotami. They saw in her a true leader. Yasodhara smiled. She had long appreciated Gotami’s strong will.
Gotami was not one to be stopped by any obstacle, as proved by her years of working on behalf of the poor with Yasodhara. The women
agreed on a day to put their plan into action.
Gotami said to Yasodhara, “Gopa, it would be best if you didn’t come with us this time. Things may go more smoothly. When we have
succeeded, there will be plenty of time for you to follow.”
Yasodhara smiled in understanding.