Download Therigatha – Verses of Exultation, Composed by Women swimming

Therigatha – Verses of Exultation, Composed by Women swimming against
the stream.
Abstract:
Therigatha is regarded as the only Canonical text in the world's religions that is
ascribed to female authorship. The term theri signifies ''Women elders'' Or ''
Women who are matured in knowledge'' On that account ''The therigatha'' are the
poems of the wise women of early Buddhism. Solitary illustrations of authoritative
religious women can be located in Western Judeo Christian tradition at a later
period. It is interesting to note that although the text called ''The acts of Thecla''
which is originated in an early period of Christian history claims female
authorship, it isn't recognized as a part of the Canon.
The tradition of Bhakti poetry that was popular in Maharashtra, Karnataka and
Rajasthan in the medieval age of India Produced isolated examples, such as
kannada saint poet, Mahadevi akka, maharashtrian Varkari Poetess Jana Bai and
aristocratic hindu Mystic singer and devotee of Lord Krishna, Mirabai. Hence it is
significant that the earliest lyrical outbursts of women poets are the Buddhist nuns.
Here it is proposed to review these representational lyrical ballards expressed by
Buddhist nuns and to analyze their capability of providing mirror images of Indian
society in the 6th Century B.C.
[The complete article appeared in Ratananjali –Felicitation volume Published
by Toronto Mahavihara, Ontaro, Canada, 2010]