Exploring the role of Bhikkhunῑ in the saṁgha in Gangetic Valley: An Analysis of the Buddhist Literature from fifth century BCE to first century CE

Abstract

The Gangetic valley was a vital place to study different religious cults. Because most of the literature is compiled in this region, the literature was related to different religions and cults. It gives information regarding social structure, gender community, and other valuable information. We can see different attitudes of this literature from a women’s perspective. It shows positive and sometimes negative attitudes of women. This paper throws light on specific regions in the Gangetic Valley of women’s condition in literature. We will see Buddhist literature's historical and social condition between the fifth century BCE to sixth century CE. It will also see that what was the contribution Bhikkhunῑ in the Buddhist text? Which type of Buddhist literature was compiled by Buddhist women? This paper shows how Buddhist texts changed their attitude towards women and who complied different text periods after Buddha Mahāparinibbāṇa. We will also see society’s attitude towards women who entered the Buddhist monasteries. And, we will see what was women’s (who joined in Buddhist monasteries) attitude towards society.