Khemā
Khema was a prominent bhikkhuni (nun) and one of the chief female disciples of the Buddha, renowned for her wisdom. She was born into royalty, married King Bimbisara of Magadha, and attained enlightenment as a laywoman before entering monastic life. The Buddha declared her foremost among his female disciples in wisdom, a rare distinction highlighting her spiritual attainment and teaching prowess.
Key Facts
- ›Khema was a chief female disciple of the Buddha, recognized for her exceptional wisdom.
- ›She was born a princess in the ancient Kingdom of Madra and married King Bimbisara of Magadha.
- ›Khema attained enlightenment as a laywoman while listening to the Buddha's teachings, a rare occurrence.
- ›After her enlightenment, she became a bhikkhuni (nun) and was declared by the Buddha to be foremost in wisdom among his female disciples.
- ›She famously debated King Pasenadi on the existence of the Buddha after death in the Khema Sutta.
- ›Her spiritual attainment is seen as a testament to the inclusive nature of the Buddha's teachings, accessible to all regardless of gender or social status.
Important Relationships
- Gautama Buddha
- King Bimbisara
- Uppalavanna
- Sariputta
- King Pasenadi
Khema Sutta
Sagala, Kingdom of Madra, Kingdom of Magadha, Sialkot
Gautama Buddha
Pali
Bhikkhuni Vows
About Khemā
Khema
Khema was a prominent Buddhist bhikkhuni (nun) and one of the chief female disciples of the Buddha, Gautama. She is recognized as the first of the Buddha's two principal female disciples, alongside Uppalavanna.
Life and Historical Context
Born into the royal family of the ancient Kingdom of Madra, Khema was renowned for her immense beauty. She married King Bimbisara of the ancient Indian kingdom of Magadha and became one of his chief royal consorts. Initially resistant to visiting the Buddha due to her vanity, she was eventually enticed by her husband's poetic descriptions of the Buddha's monastery. During her visit, the Buddha used his psychic powers to reveal the impermanence of beauty by showing her an illusion of a woman aging and dying before her eyes. This profound experience led Khema to attain stream-entry, a foundational level of enlightenment, and subsequently arahantship after further teachings on attachment to worldly desires.
Spiritual Attainment and Role
Following her enlightenment as a laywoman, a rare feat, Khema entered the monastic life as a bhikkhuni. The Buddha declared her his female disciple foremost in wisdom, a distinction shared in spirit by her male counterpart, Sariputta. She is known for her intellectual prowess and spiritual insight, notably in the Khema Sutta, where she debated King Pasenadi on the existence of the Buddha after death, providing an answer that the Buddha himself later affirmed. Khema's teachings and leadership skills were highly valued, and she served as a model for other nuns.
Legacy
Khema's spiritual mastery and her ability to teach powerful kings like Pasenadi highlight the respect she commanded and the potential for women to achieve the highest spiritual development within Buddhism. Her story, particularly her swift attainment of arahantship and her prominent role as a chief disciple, underscores the inclusiveness of the Buddha's teachings, which were accessible to individuals of all backgrounds and genders. She is mentioned in texts such as the Anguttara Nikaya and the Therigatha, solidifying her place as an accomplished and respected figure in Buddhist tradition.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Khema?
Khema was a highly realized Buddhist bhikkhuni (nun) and one of the foremost female disciples of the Buddha, Gautama. She is particularly celebrated for her profound wisdom and spiritual insight.
What was Khema's social background?
Khema was born into a royal family in the ancient Kingdom of Madra and later became a chief consort to King Bimbisara of the Kingdom of Magadha. Despite her royal status and beauty, she pursued a spiritual path.
How did Khema meet the Buddha?
King Bimbisara, her husband, enticed Khema to visit the Buddha by employing poets to sing of the monastery's beauty. Initially reluctant due to her attachment to her own beauty, she was drawn by curiosity and ultimately encountered the Buddha.
What is significant about Khema attaining enlightenment as a laywoman?
It is considered a rare feat in Buddhist texts for someone to attain enlightenment before officially joining the monastic order. Khema achieved this while listening to the Buddha's sermon, demonstrating the power of his teachings.
What does it mean that Khema was the Buddha's foremost female disciple in wisdom?
This designation signifies that among all the women who followed the Buddha, Khema was considered to possess the greatest insight and understanding of the Dhamma. The Buddha himself recognized and proclaimed this distinction.
What is the Khema Sutta?
The Khema Sutta records a significant discourse where Khema expertly explains the unfathomable nature of the Buddha after death to King Pasenadi. Her wisdom in this exchange was so profound that the Buddha himself confirmed her teachings.
Related Buddhists
Śāriputra
Śāriputra was one of the foremost chief disciples of the Buddha, renowned for his exceptional wisdom and his pivotal role in the development of Buddhist doctrine, particularly the Abhidharma. He is considered the first of the Buddha's two principal male disciples and is often depicted in Buddhist art and texts as a key figure in the Sangha, known for his strict adherence to monastic rules and his teaching ability.
Kisā Gautamī
Kisā Gautamī was a devoted follower of the Buddha whose profound grief over the death of her only child led her to seek his help. Her story illustrates the Buddha's teachings on impermanence and the universality of death, ultimately leading her to achieve enlightenment and become a respected bhikkhuni (nun). She is particularly remembered for her advanced spiritual realization and her appointment as foremost in discipline among nuns.
Sundarī Nandā
Sundarī Nandā was a princess of the Shakya clan and the half-sister of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Renowned for her beauty and grace, she later became a nun and attained enlightenment, becoming recognized as foremost among bhikkhunis in the practice of jhana (meditative absorption). Her life story highlights themes of impermanence and the path to spiritual liberation within early Buddhism.