a son - the Buddha pointed out notonly their weaknesses but also their potential The Buddha clearly showed that women are capable of understanding His teachings and also topractice them to some degree of spiritual attainment. This Is clearly indicated by the advice thatthe Buddha gave to different women on different occasions and circumstances. The Buddhataught the lesson of impermanence to the vain and beauty- conscious Khema. Khema was thebeautiful consort of King Bimbisara. She was at first reluctant to see the Buddha because she hadheard that the Buddha used to refer to external beauty in disparaging terms. One day, she paid acasual visit to the monastery ust to enjoy the scenery of the place. Gradually, she was at firstreluctant to see to the hall where the Buddha was preaching. Buddha, through the use of His psychic powers read her thoughts and created a vision of a younglady Standing In front of her. Khema was admiring her beauty the Buddha transformed the created beauty from to middle age and subsequently to old age, till itY fell on the ground with broken teeth, gray hair and tinkled skin This transformation caused Khema to n e the vanity of external beauty and toappreciate the c fleeting nature of life. She then pondered: Has such a body come to be Wreckedlike that? Then so will my body also.' this realization she subsequently attained Arahatship andwith the King's consent, she entered the Order of Bhikkhuni. To women who were undulyemotional and grief- striker on the loss of their beloved ones, the Buddha spoke on theinevitability of death as enunciated in the Four Noble Truths. He also quoted various parables toemphasize His point. Thus, to Visakha, a deeply emotional and affectionate grandmother who hadlost her granddaughter; the Buddha spoke as follows: "From affection springs grief, From affection springs fear, For one who iswholly free from affection, There is no grief, much less fear."The establishment of the Bhikkhun...
