The Gathering

A Story of the First Buddhist Women

by Vanessa R. Sasson

Book cover: The Gathering

Extent: 290 pages

Publisher: Equinox Publishing

Subjects: Buddhist Studies

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(June 2023)

ISBN: 9781800503403

6.14 x 9.21 inches

Price: $25.00

In stock

Hardback (Published)

(June 2023)

ISBN: 9781800503397

6.14 x 9.21 inches

Price: $100.00

In stock

Sasson’s new book is a retelling of the story of the women’s request for ordination. Inspired in particular by the Therigatha and building on years of research and experience in the field, Sasson follows Vimala, Patachara, Bhadda Kundalakesa, and many others as they walk through the forest to request full access to the tradition. The Buddha’s response to this request is famously complicated and multi-faceted; he eventually accepts women into the Order, but attaches specific and controversial conditions (garudhammas). Sasson invites us to think about who these first Buddhist women might have been, what they hoped to achieve, and what these conditions might have meant to them thereafter. By shaping her research into a story, Sasson invites readers to imagine a world that continues to inspire and complicate Buddhist narrative to this day.

Introduction Story One Many Years Later: Vimala Remembers Chapter 1 The Buddha Said No Chapter 2 Vimala's Story Begins Chapter 3 The Leap Chapter 4 The Gathering Chapter 5 The Past Comes Charging In Story Two Many Years Later: Vimala and Darshani Chapter 6 The Walking Begins Chapter 7 Patachara Chapter 8 Beads and Mirrors Chapter 9 The Long Road Chapter 10 Flying Horses Chapter 11 The Flying Sage Chapter 12 River Mud Chapter 13 Vesali Chapter 14 Hollowed-Out Mess Chapter 15 The Great Woman Tree Chapter 16 Bhadda Kundalakesa Chapter 17 Muttering and Mad Chapter 18 Motherhood Lost and Found Chapter 19 Ananda Chapter 20 The Eight Heavies Story Three Many Years Later
The Great Immensity End Matter Notes Study Questions Bibliography Acknowledgements, Introduction Story One Many Years Later: Vimala Remembers Chapter 1 The Buddha Said No Chapter 2 Vimala's Story Begins Chapter 3 The Leap Chapter 4 The Gathering Chapter 5 The Past Comes Charging In Story Two Many Years Later: Vimala and Darshani Chapter 6 The Walking Begins Chapter 7 Patachara Chapter 8 Beads and Mirrors Chapter 9 The Long Road Chapter 10 Flying Horses Chapter 11 The Flying Sage Chapter 12 River Mud Chapter 13 Vesali Chapter 14 Hollowed-Out Mess Chapter 15 The Great Woman Tree Chapter 16 Bhadda Kundalakesa Chapter 17 Muttering and Mad Chapter 18 Motherhood Lost and Found Chapter 19 Ananda Chapter 20 The Eight Heavies Story Three Many Years Later
The Great Immensity End Matter Notes Study Questions Bibliography Acknowledgements

  • By (author) Vanessa R. Sasson