Binara Poya: A momentous day for women during the Buddha’s time
Today, September 7, is Binara Full Moon Poya – a very important poya for Buddhists, particularly women. This poya falls between the months of July and October when Upasampada bhikkhus and bhikkhunis (monks and nuns) observe the vassana (rainy season) staying indoors for three months.
The most important event that took place on Binara Poya during the life of Gauthama Buddha was the ordination of women as bhikkhunis. It was not easy for women to achieve this status in traditional Indian society, as women faced discrimination and were marginalised due to the patriarchal system. Maha Pajapathi Gothami, the Buddha’s aunt and later stepmother, approached the Buddha on three occasions and requested to be ordained as a bhikkhuni but the Buddha rejected her requests. Finally after the intervention of Ananda Maha Thera, the Buddha agreed to the ordination of women as bhikkhunis but on eight special conditions mentioned as Ashta Garudharma. Pajapathi Gothami agreed to observe these rules and she along with 500 Sakyan ladies was ordained as bhikkhunis on a Binara Poya.
Bhikkhuni Elpitiye Dhammabhashini: Performs Bodhi Pooja on Poya days and on request by people for special occasions
When Buddhism was flourishing in India, Emperor Ashoka sent emissaries to nine countries. To Sri Lanka, he sent Arahant Mahinda Thera his own son, and later when there was a need to establish a bhikkhuni sasana, his daughter Sanghamitta arrived with a sapling of the Bodhi tree.
The bhikkhuni sasana flourished in Sri Lanka for some time but saw a gradual decline due to wars, foreign invasions and breaches of the rules by the bhikkhunis. However, after many centuries, prominent women in the country worked to revive the bhikkhuni sasana. However when women were ordained they were addressed as ‘Sil Matha’ or ‘Mehenin’ and not as bhikkhunis.
When the Sunday Times visited the Dhamma Vivekaramaya in Lewella, Kandy earlier this week, we met bhikkhuni Elpitiye Dhammabhashini. She was trained in the Dhamma and all forms of meditation at Nihada Arana Bhavana Centre in Nillamba, which is one of the centres belonging to the Subhodarama Temple in Peradeniya.
Explaining her interest, she said, “Mage mamala dennek mahana wela. Matath hithuna mahana wenna.” (Two of my uncles are monks. I too wished to be ordained). On November 29, 2020 at the age of 34, she was ordained as a samaneri (novice).
She has not visited her home in Galle since her ordination, preferring to be alone, meditating in peace to achieve her goal. For the community she conducts Buddhist programmes, also teaching the Dhamma to students and adults. We saw students from the nearby Tikiri Montessori school who had come to listen to her talk on the importance of showing kindness to others, which topic was selected mainly for their understanding.
On Poya days she conducts Bodhi Pooja and if there are other special occasions or requests from people, she performs Bodhi pooja. Pregnant mothers come and request that she chant pirith for the birth of a healthy child. “Sometimes people come with their domestic and personal problems to which I have to find answers,” she said.
The recent landmark decision by the Supreme Court regarding bhikkhunis’ right to a National Identity Card (NIC) with the proper designation bhikkhuni and not as ‘Sil Matha’ (Sil Matha observes 8 or 10 precepts and has not received full ordination) affirmed the equal status of bhikkhunis with bhikkhus.
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