Cover; Original Title; Title; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Editors' Preface; Preface; Introduction; The Therīgāthā: Text and Context; Chapter I: The Language of Liberation; Liberation Refrains; Distinctions Between the Texts; A Difference of Perspective; Chapter II: Looking Backward: Attitudes Towards Renunciation; The Way They Were; Breaking Free: Going Forth to the Homeless Life; Reflections on the Good Life; Chapter III: Looking Inward: Attitudes Towards the Body; A Buddhist Lesson in Anatomy; The Body Beautiful; Looking at the Doctrine as a Mirror
Chapter IV: Looking Outward: Attitudes Towards the EnvironmentThe Environment as Setting and Symbol; Tree Meditations; Envisioning the Environment; Chapter V: Struggle for Liberation in the Therīgāthā; Models of Liberation; The Question of Female Authorship; Women's Struggle for Liberation; Appendices:; A Technical Terms for Liberation; B Tables of Liberated Therīs and Theras; C Images of the Environment; D Settings of Liberated Therīs and Theras; Notes; Bibliography; Glossary; Index
Summary
A detailed exploration of the quest for liberation on the part of the early bhikkunis. Only text in the Buddhist tradition of known female authorship. Important to anyone investigating women's own perspective on their religion. Also provides a clear statement about how renunciants understand nibbana
