Dimitry,

The account of the inception of the Bhikkhu.nii Order is given is the Vinaya at
Cullavagga X. The exact reference is V 2:255:

"Since, Aananda, women have gone forth...the Holy Life will not last long, the True
Dharma will endure for only 500 years."

It is no fault of the women. When oil is near fire, the fire will burn on, even burn
bigger. Then again, some fire will burn without oil, consuming other kinds of fuel.

The Buddha conceded to Aananda's argument that women, too, can realize Sainthood, and
as such are just as eligible as men to join the Order. This is the first and only
case where a religious founder admits "defeat" to a follower's argument in deciding a
major modification in his movement. It clearly shows the Buddha's human and
compassionate side.

P.

Dimitry Ivakhnenko wrote:

> Hi Pali friends,
>
> I have read somewhere that after first nins have been ordained and
> bhikkhuni (nuns) sangha has been established, Buddha told that his
> teaching would now be preserved not for 1000, but for 500 years.
>
> Can anyone please tell where this sutta can be found?
>
> Metta,
> Dimitry
>
>
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