“First lady” teacher of world - Mahaprajapati.

In the fifth year after the enlightenment, while the Buddha was staying in a monastery near vaishali, He received a message that His father was seriously ill. Without delay, He returned to kapilavastu with his disciples.
At his father’s deathbed, the Buddha preached a sermon on the impermanence of all things. At the end of the sermon. He said, “There is nothing to fear, father. Your virtue is pure and your mind is without evil. Remember the Teaching and calm your mind.” Hearing the Buddha’s assurance, the king passed away in peace, having become an Arhat.
After attending the funeral of His father, the Buddha stayed on in the banyan grove. It was during this time that His aunt, Mahaprajapati, decided to became a nun. The Buddha declined her request and returned to vaishali. Undeterred, Mahaprajapati cut her hair, put on a yellow robe, then accompanied by Yashodhara and other Shakyan woman, walked to vaishali. The long journey caused their feet to swell. Looking weary and with their clothes covered with dust, they finally arrived at the monastery where the Buddha was preaching. It was Ananda who saw them in such a sorry state. Seeing their determination to join the order, he asked the Buddha whether woman were capable of leading a holy life and becoming Arhats when they renounced the world and practiced the teaching. The Buddha asserted that they could. Ananda pointed out that in that case, they should be allowed to join the order. Mahaprajapati and her companions were then ordained and so the order of Nuns was formed.
She was responsible for the establishment of the order of Nuns.

Ref. by Buddhism for beginners, Kmspks monastery, Singapore.

For more information about woman’s Dhamma education please read “Woman in Buddhist literature”, “Vinaypitaka” and “Therigatha”.

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