Bhikkhunis

Bhikkhuni is the term used for a fully ordained female monastic in Buddhism, equivalent to a bhikkhu for men. Bhikkhunis take vows and live according to the Vinaya, the monastic disciplinary code, and they participate in meditation, study, and community life. They typically belong to a monastic community or reside in monasteries and sometimes engage in teaching, charitable work, and social service.

Historically, the bhikkhuni order traces its origin to Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha’s aunt, who requested full ordination for women and established a female monastic sangha with the Buddha’s consent. In the early centuries this order existed in various Buddhist communities, but in many Theravada regions it declined or disappeared by the medieval period. In East Asian Mahayana cultures, the bhikshuni lineage has continued under the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya and remains active in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Buddhism. In Theravada contexts, modern revival efforts began in the late 20th century and have been subject to debate and differing levels of recognition across communities and countries.

Today bhikkhunis can be found in several countries, especially where the Dharmaguptaka lineage is accepted or where modern revival efforts have established monasteries and programs for female ordination. They may lead communities, teach meditation and doctrine, and participate in academic and interfaith activities. In some traditions, full ordination for women remains contested, while others recognize and support bhikkhuni practice as an integral part of the Buddhist monastic tradition.