Sasson's new book is a retelling of the story of the women's request for ordination. Inspired 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; he eventually accepts women into the Order, but specific and controversial conditions are attached. Sasson invites us to think about who these first Buddhist women might have been, what they might have 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.

Vanessa R. Sasson is Professor of Religious Studies at Marianopolis College.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Introduction [+]1-6

Story One

Many Years Later: Vimala Remembers the Gathering Women [+]7-13

Chapter 1

The Buddha Said No [+]14-20

Chapter 2

Vimala's Story Begins [+]21-32

Chapter 3

The Leap [+]33-36

Chapter 4

The Gathering [+]37-44

Chapter 5

The Past Comes Charging In [+]45-51

Story Two

Many Years Later: Vimala and Darshani [+]52-54

Chapter 6

The Walking Begins [+]55-66

Chapter 7

Patachara [+]67-71

Chapter 8

Beads and Mirrors [+]72-82

Chapter 9

The Long Road [+]83-90

Chapter 10

Flying Horses [+]91-100

Chapter 11

The Flying Sage [+]101-108

Chapter 12

River Mud [+]109-118

Chapter 13

Vesali [+]119-126

Chapter 14

Hollowed-Out Mess [+]127-134

Chapter 15

The Great Woman Tree [+]135-142

Chapter 16

Bhadda Kundalakesa [+]143-154

Chapter 17

Muttering and Mad [+]155-163

Chapter 18

Motherhood Lost and Found [+]164-177

Chapter 19

Ananda [+]178-187

Chapter 20

The Eight Heavies [+]188-204

Story Three

Many Years Later: The Great Immensity [+]205-210

End Matter

Notes [+]211-264

Study Questions265-266

Bibliography267-277

Acknowledgements279-280