Origins & Early Life

Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī (Sanskrit: महाप्रजापती गौतमी; Pali: Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī) or simply Prajāpatī was the foster-mother, step-mother and maternal aunt (mother's sister) of the Buddha. Therefore, based on the Therī-apadāna (Mahāpajāpatigotamī-therīapadāna, Thi Ap 17), Gotamī is referred to by the title "Mother of the Buddha" (Pali: Buddhamātā). In Buddhist tradition, she was the first woman to seek ordination for women, which she did from Siddhartha Gautama directly, and she became the first bhikṣuṇī (Buddhist nun). Gotamī's story was widely distributed, with multiple versions existing.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

It is recorded in the various surviving Vinaya traditions, including the Pali Canon and Sarvastivada and Mulasarvastivada versions. In the Pali Canon, her request for ordination is detailed in the Anguttara Nikaya. The stories of her past lives are included in the Therīgāthā, Theri-apadāna and Jataka. In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha bestows a prophecy upon Mahāprajāpatī that in the distant alternate timeline on future, she will become a buddha named Sarvasattvapriyadarśana. According to the Theri-apadāna...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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