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BOOK REVIEWS | EASTERN HORIZON 61

BOOK REVIEWS

The 21 female characters in the book includes 13
bhikkhunis who were praised by the Buddha for being
foremost practitioners. They include Gotami, the
first nun; Khema, regarded as the foremost of those
nuns who are wise and intelligent; Uppalavanna,
the foremost of nuns who excel in psychic powers;
Kisagotami, foremost of nuns who undertake ascetic
practices; Vijaya, foremost of nuns who attained the
four analytical knowledge; Cala, an outstanding nun
who dispatched Mara; Upacala, foremost of nuns who
Bhikkhu Anālayo. Daughters of the Buddha. Teachings delights in empty and secluded places, not in being
by Ancient Indian Women. Wisdom: USA. 2022. pp 274. among people; Sisupacala, the nun who was able to
Hardcover. US$34.95 www.wisdom.com engage Mara; Vira, another nun who was able to engage
Mara; Sela, another nun who engaged and defeated
It’s a common perception that the earliest textual Mara; Soma, foremost of nuns who have compassion
records don’t contain many, if any, teachings by the for living beings that have not yet reached the path;
Buddha’s female disciples; yet, this is not the case. In Alavika, another nun who engaged and defeated Mara;
fact, the earliest discourses record a range of teachings Dhammadina, foremost of nuns who analyse the
from Buddhist women, lay and monastic. Unfortunately, meaning and widely discourse on divisions and parts of
their important contributions have so far not received the Dhamma; Kajanjala, an outstanding nun who taught
the attention they deserve. the Dhamma; Sona, foremost of nuns who overcome
outside practitioners and establish them in the right
In Daughters of the Buddha, esteemed scholar-monk teaching; Bhadda Kaccana, foremost of nuns who have
Bhikkhu Analayo examines the accounts of the first irreversibly attained liberation by confidence; Bhadda
female disciples in the canonical scripture, taking the Kapilani, foremost of nuns who recollect their own past
reader back to the earliest period in the history of lives for innumerable aeons;
Buddhism that can still be accessed today. He dedicates
each of the twenty-one chapters in the volume to Analayo also featured four prominent female lay
an individual and remarkable woman, sharing her disciples. There is Queen Mallika, foremost of female
particular insights and teachings with the reader. Both lay disciples who have reverence for the Buddha;
nuns and laywomen are featured in these pages, and Nakulamata, foremost in trustworthiness; Nandamata,
their diversity of voices and richness of thought will foremost in guarding their actions; and Khujjuttara,
serve as instruction and encouragement for modern foremost in wisdom. EH
scholars and practitioners alike.