Female Disciples of Lord Buddha

Buddha Shakyamuni, attacked by the maras, under the Bodhi Tree

Buddhism is one of the few spiritual beliefs that do not discriminate women. As His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa said in one of his teachings, "The Buddha explained very clearly that all beings, irregardless of male or female, have the potential to attain Buddhahood. They all possess the primordial Buddha nature, and therefore they deserve equal chance to enlightenment."

Here are the short stories of a few selected women disciples of Lord Buddha. Their life stories, though took place 2,500 years ago, still set a positive example for all female practitioners who aspire to attain Buddhahood.

Maha Pajapati Gotami begging permission for women to be admitted into the order