Bhikshuni, Bhikṣuṇī: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Bhikshuni means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Bhikṣuṇī can be transliterated into English as Bhiksuni or Bhikshuni, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
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In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Bhikṣuṇī (भिक्षुणी) is a Sanskrit word referring to a Buddhist female nun. The male monk is called a bhikkhu.
India history and geography
Bhikṣuṇī.—(EI 25; CII 3; LL), feminine form of Bhikṣu; ‘a Buddhist nun’; also called Śākya-bhikṣuṇī. Note: bhikṣuṇī is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Bhikṣuṇī (भिक्षुणी).—(= Pali bhikkhunī), nun: common every-where, e.g. Mahāvyutpatti 8447—8; 8718; Lalitavistara 89.7; 161.9; Mahāvastu iii.49.10 ff.; Divyāvadāna 160.7; 202.14; 552.8 ff.; Avadāna-śataka ii.11.2 ff.; Bhikṣuṇī-karmavācanā 3a.1 etc.
Bhikṣuṇī (भिक्षुणी):—[from bhikṣ] f. a Buddhist female mendicant or nun, [Lalita-vistara; Divyāvadāna] ([Monier-Williams’ Buddhism 86]).
Bhikṣuṇī (भिक्षुणी):—(von bhikṣu) f. eine buddhistische Bettlerin [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 112.] [Vyutpatti oder Mahāvyutpatti 194. 203.] [Burnouf 278.] [Rgva tch’er rol pa 94. 157] (die ed. Calc. an beiden Stellen bhikṣukī). dūṣaka [Vyutpatti oder Mahāvyutpatti 204.] Eine aus dem Pāli in’s Sanskrit zurückgeführte Form.
Bhikṣuṇī (भिक्षुणी):—f. eine buddhistische Bettlerin.
Bhikṣunī (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 出家 [chū jiā]: “renounce the secular life”.
2) Bhikṣuṇī (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 薰女 [xūn nǚ]: “nun”.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Bhikṣuṇi (ಭಿಕ್ಷುಣಿ):—[noun] a Buddhist nun.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Bhikṣuṇī (भिक्षुणी):—n. fem. a mendicant or beggar;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+0): Bhikshuni-sangha, Bhikshunika, Bhikshunikarmavacana, Bhikshunikhanda, Bhikshunipratisamyukta, Bhikshunisamvara, Bhikshunivinaya, Bhikshunivinayavibhanga.
Full-text (+353): Cudabhikshuni, Bi qiu ni, Bhikshunivinaya, Bi chu ni, Bhikshunikhanda, Bhikshuni-sangha, Bhikshunipratisamyukta, Bhikshunisamvara, Ni jian du, Bi qiu ni jie, Bhikshunivinayavibhanga, Utpalavarna, Mahaprajapati, Xun nu, Chu jin nu, Gen ben shuo yi qie you bu bi chu ni pi na ye, Avrita, Nuni, Qi shi nu, Bi hu ni.
Relevant text
Search found 44 books and stories containing Bhikshuni, Bhikṣuṇī, Bhiksuni, Bhikṣuṇi, Bhiksunis, Bhikṣunī; (plurals include: Bhikshunis, Bhikṣuṇīs, Bhiksunis, Bhikṣuṇis, Bhiksunises, Bhikṣunīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Living Vinaya in the United States: Emerging Female Monastic Sanghas in the West < [Volume 10, Issue 4 (2019)]
Equality of Access? Chinese Women Practicing Chan and Transnational... < [Volume 13, Issue 1 (2022)]
When Mahāyāna Meets Theravāda < [Volume 13, Issue 7 (2022)]
Taisho: Chinese Buddhist Canon
Chapter 127: The Bhikshunis' Inquiry about Her Past Life < [Part 190 - The Abhinishkramana-sutra]
Sutta 43: [0100a12] The story of the Bhikshuni Manifesting Transformations < [Part 154 - Jataka stories (translated by Dharmaraksha)]
Sutta 1: The Nirvana of Mahaprajapati Gautami < [Part 125 - Ekottara-Agama (Numbered Discourses)]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Chapter VII - The Four Assemblies
Part 3 - Morality of the śikṣamāṇā < [Section II.2 - Morality of the monastic or pravrajita]
Part 4 - Morality of the bhikṣuṇī < [Section II.2 - Morality of the monastic or pravrajita]
Avatamsaka Sutra (flower adornment sutra)—Preface
Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English) (by Hsuan Hua)
A beneficial reliance for living beings < [Chapter 3 - The Spiritual Mantra]
Ananda requests abou the seven destinies (and separation from them) < [Chapter 4 - The Seven Destinies]
The dharma bliss experienced by the great assembly < [Chapter 9 - Exhortation to Propagate the Sutra]
Informal Education of Sanskrit in Kerala (by Jayasree M.)
7. The Gurukula Education in Itihasas and Puranas < [Chapter 1 - Sanskrit Education in Historical Perspective]