Hi,
 

> Accepting female monastics was something very bold or revolutionary of the Buddha, and none of his contemporaries is known to have done the same.<

 
I beg to differ. Unfortunately, it's a myth propagated by many Buddhists. Jains already had Nuns' Order before Buddha.(Padmanabh S. Jaini, Gender and Salvation Jaina Debates on the Spiritual Liberation of Women)
 
 
Best wishes,
Rahula






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