The great theris.

The Theris, or First Nuns, have long been a mystery to Buddhist women. They stand like a lovely mountain range covered in mist, not visible but their presence is felt. As Buddhism has met the modern world, more and more women are practicing. So also are women taking great responsibility as the heads of monasteries, as dharma teachers, and as scholars. And many of us wish to know and express our gratitude to our women ancestors.

It is our generation that more is being learned about the women who joined the Buddha's Sangha 2500 years ago. Their presence in early Buddhism created a revolution in social values that only now is beginning to come to fruition in our modern cultures.

I am a western woman, a dharma teacher, and the Abbot of a monastery in the United States. I came to Thailand in February, 2002, to attend the Ariyavinaya meeting inspired by the Thai social activist Sulak Sivaraksa. Prior to my journey to Thailand, I had learned about a brave woman and scholar who had been recently ordained as a Samaneri (novice nun) by bhikkhunis in Sri Lanka. Her name was Samaneri Dhammananda. This was the first such ordination of a woman in Thailand in 1000 years as the nun's line had died out a millenium ago. I asked one of the conference coordinators if I could possibly stay with the Samaneri after the meeting. I wanted to meet this courageous person, to practice with her friends, and learn more about her journey.

I met the Samaneri at the meeting and was very moved by her presence. She spoke with profound conviction about the importance of allowing women to become fully ordained. After the meeting, I made my way to her nunnery to take a deep retreat. While there, we discovered we had much in common. We took refuge in each other, as I was weary from many problems in my country and community, and she was weary from the active resistance to her ordination. We realized that we both felt quite isolated, had few peer accessible to us, and we gave each other great support as we explored ways in which we could renew ourselves and as well continue our work in and for the world.

As I began to learn more about the situation in Thailand as well as other parts of Asia concerning the rights of women in the Buddhist community, I began to think about the icons of Buddhism that reflect our values. I realized that there were few images of women, especially in Southeast Asia. At that time, I knew of no statues of Mahapajapati, the Buddha's stepmother who bravely became the first nun.

I was to learn from Samaneri Dhammananda that in fact there was a small temple in the middle of Bangkok where there was a collection of statues of the first nuns. She had never visited the temple, and we both decided this was the time for such a visit. But before we went, we stopped by a sculpture studio to explore commissioning a statue of Mahapajapati, if that seemed appropriate.

We made our way to Wat Rajnaddarama, and found the guard who open this sanctuary for us. This title temple was built by King Rama III for his niece on the occasion of his birthday. On entering the temple, we stood in front of the most wondrous sight of 53 theris, each uniquely carved. At the head of this retinue of diverse beauty was a larger statue of Mahapajapati. This was an overwhelming and beautiful sight for us, one that moved us to tears.

The two of us then traveled back to the sculpture studio and met with the artist. We were very excited about the project. So much of our work in the world has been about inspiring women. We realized that the creation of the statue might be a benefit to those who practice deeply and are supported by inspiration from the feminine, particularly the courageous nuns of the time of the Buddha.

We wanted Mahapajapati's face to be mature. After all she become a nun when she was nearly 60, and she had endured much suffering, We also wanted her hand gestures to reflect the interconnected aspects of courageous and generous action and profound contemplation. So her right hand is in the mudra of giving no fear, and her left hand is in the mudra of meditation. We wanted her robes alive, soft and realistic and the contours' of her body to reflect her motherly qualities. We wanted the sculpture to be in the Gandharan style as we felt that this period of sculpture rediated compassion, beauty and reality. In the light of the recent war in Afghanistan the problems in Pakistan, and the destruction of so much Buddhist history, I am happy that we have decided on this style.

It has been more than a year since we began this project. It has taken time to help the sculptor to mature her face and refine the details of her hands, body, an robes. Fortunately, Bhikkhuni Dhammananda (as my good friend is now fully ordained) has been the guide through this long process. She sent me photos along the way so I could make recommendations. And now, I learn that Mahapajapati is there in our midst.

She will be sent from Thailand to Upaya by shipping company with in assistance of Bhikkhuni Dhammananda, and her supporters. We will open her eyes during the large women's retreat at the end of July when women from all over the world gather to renew their commitment to social action and health.

I am so grateful to have had this precious opportunity to be part of seeing the birth of Mahapajapati in our time. May she guide us all home, as she guided her sisters and friends 2500 years ago.