Female Ordination and the Buddha’s Dispensation with a Critical Analysis of <em>Brahmacariya</em> Practice

When the Buddha permitted women to join the monastic community, he predicted that the Buddha’s dispensation (Buddhasāsana) would last only a thousand years due to their ordination. Many scholars dispute this claim. Bhikkhu Anālayo, for example, argues against the Cullavaggapāḷi’s prediction of decline, suggesting it has not materialized, and he explores the impact of the Bhikkhuṇī Order on the dispensation’s longevity. This article investigates how female ordination affects the dispensation and critically analyzes the practice of brahmacariya (celibacy). It utilizes both primary and secondary sources for a thorough critique of existing scholarly views and a detailed examination of brahmacariya within canonical and commentarial texts. The analysis suggests that while female ordination might not cause the complete disappearance of the Buddhasāsana, it could influence the dynamics between monks and nuns, potentially leading to a decline in brahmacariya and spiritual progress within monastic life. Thus, the article supports Bhikkhu Anālayo’s view that the issue lies more with the practice of brahmacariya and spiritual advancement rather than the overall longevity of the dispensation.