34 Pao-hsien, Rector and Rule

high-definition creative commons posters based on Kathryn Ann Tsai’s translation of Pi-chiu-ni chuan entitled, Lives of the Nuns.

A biographical account of the Buddhist nun Pao-hsien (401–477), focusing on her life, spiritual development, and influence during the Sung dynasty. The text details her decision to enter monastic life at age 16 after a period of extreme austerity during her mother’s mourning and notes her rigorous practice of meditation and monastic observance. A significant portion of the text addresses the controversy surrounding the validity of the full monastic obligation for Chinese nuns, which was debated because the initial transmission of the rules was considered incomplete by some. Pao-hsien played a crucial role when she and other nuns ultimately received the full monastic obligation from a delegation including nuns from Sri Lanka. The text concludes by noting her respected position as an administrator and her ability to settle disputes, confirming her high regard within the Buddhist community until her death at age seventy-seven.

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