Buddhamitra
Encyclopedia
Buddhamitra was born around 90 and lived in the Kushan Empire
. She entered into the Sangha
and became a Buddhist Nun
(though historical records do not tell us if she did this as a child or after the death of her husband). Though her life before becoming a nun is not recorded in historical records, she is noted in several important historical records. Not only did she give the epithet of being familiar with the threefold knowledge of Buddhism (the Tripitaka
) but she received donations from a powerful ruler, the Satrap
of Mathura, who was subordinate to the Kushan Emperors. Buddhamitra lived at the time of the 4th Buddhist Council and it is likely given her political connections and learning that she was involved. She is a remarkable figure, because despite living in a partriarchal society
she has left a mark in history where many male kings have been entirely forgotten.
Kushan Empire
The Kushan Empire originally formed in the early 1st century AD under Kujula Kadphises in the territories of ancient Bactria on either side of the middle course of the Oxus in what is now northern Afghanistan, Pakistan, and southern Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.During the 1st and early 2nd centuries...
. She entered into the Sangha
Sangha
Sangha is a word in Pali or Sanskrit that can be translated roughly as "association" or "assembly," "company" or "community" with common goal, vision or purpose...
and became a Buddhist Nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
(though historical records do not tell us if she did this as a child or after the death of her husband). Though her life before becoming a nun is not recorded in historical records, she is noted in several important historical records. Not only did she give the epithet of being familiar with the threefold knowledge of Buddhism (the Tripitaka
Tripiṭaka
' is a traditional term used by various Buddhist sects to describe their various canons of scriptures. As the name suggests, a traditionally contains three "baskets" of teachings: a , a and an .-The three categories:Tripitaka is the three main categories of texts that make up the...
) but she received donations from a powerful ruler, the Satrap
Satrap
Satrap was the name given to the governors of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as the Sassanid Empire and the Hellenistic empires....
of Mathura, who was subordinate to the Kushan Emperors. Buddhamitra lived at the time of the 4th Buddhist Council and it is likely given her political connections and learning that she was involved. She is a remarkable figure, because despite living in a partriarchal society
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a social system in which the role of the male as the primary authority figure is central to social organization, and where fathers hold authority over women, children, and property. It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege, and entails female subordination...
she has left a mark in history where many male kings have been entirely forgotten.