Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c25.41

c25.41

Some of these *Therīs*, when they advanced in spirituality, did not give themselves wholly to the subjective, meditative life in cloistered seclusion, but took an honourable share in social service and missionary work for their faith. The most renowned of such women leaders was Paṭāchārā, the bereaved mother, who was sought for solace by other 500 bereaved mothers. As these 500 nuns under their head were taking their daily meal, a wretched woman approached them for alms, a homeless, childless widow disowned by her people for her infectious disease. Immediately, the Sisters of Mercy "the saviours and good shepherds of the heedless and the lost," adopted her as one of their own. Some of them are mentioned as being successful speakers and preachers. There was Sukkā, to hear whom speak the people would flock out of the city and not feel tired of listening to her. It will thus be apparent from these examples that the Buddhist Convents opened out to the women opportunities for education and self-culture and varied spheres of social service in which they made themselves the equals of men, supplementing their work in the spread of their faith [C. A. Foley's article in the *Ninth Oriental Congress Report*, Vol. i, pp. 340 f.].