t for the sake of performing the "rites of theancestors". This also meant that daughters became quite as good as sons. It was possible, in the early Buddhist period for a girl to remain unmarried, and yet unabused. Shecould be contented at her home and adequately occupied in caring for her parents, youngerbrothers and sisters. She could even be the owner of great possessions. The Buddha did not attach greater importance to the birth of a son. On one occasion when KingKosala was with the Buddha, news was brought to the King of the birth of a daughter to him.Expecting a son, the King was displeased. Noticing this, the Buddha paid a glowing tribute towomen, delineating their virtues in the following manner: "Some women are indeed better (than men). Bring her up, O Lord of men.There are women who are wise, virtuous, who have high regard formother-in-law, and who are chaste. To such noble wife may be born a valiantson, a Lord of Realms, who will rule a kingdom."The Buddha opened the gates for the full participation of women in the field of religion by makingthem eligible for admission into the Bhikkhuni Sangha - the Order of Nuns. This opened newavenues of culture, social services and opportunities for public life to women It led implicitly tothe recognition of their importance to society, and in doing so enhanced the status of womenAlthough there were some caustic comments m in the Tripitaka about women's wiles and behanour, f Buddha also mentioned in the Samyatta Nikaya manY their redeeming features. It wassaid that under ce circumstances women are considered wiser an d discerning than men, and thatthey are also consul f capable of attaining perfection or sainthood treading the Noble Eight foldPath. Although. so we filed sound unpleasant, through careful observation, we find that what theBuddha said about women still holds good today. Thus, in revealing the nature of women, - as the, when King Kosala found that he had a daughter Instead of...
