Known Nun Disciples of the Buddha

(100+ disciples)

Pi Suttapiaka

This is a list of the nun disciples of the Buddha as found in the Suttapiaka and its commentaries. The attempt is made to be comprehensive, but
given such a large number it is possible one or two have been overlooked, and I will update when I get additions/corrections, etc. This list for now
covers the nuns named in the Pi Suttapiaka, I would like to add in names from the Vinaya, and from other traditions, but will need help to get
that work done. I will add them in as and when I can.

The references are to the Chaha Sagyana edition of the Tipiaka as this is still the most easily accessible edition of the texts. The numbering
here should be the same in other editions, but there may be small variations occasionally.

The order is based roughly on information levels: first come the thirteen chief disciples, about which we have a lot of information in various
canonical sources and commentaries; next come the Apadna stories in the order that they appear in that collection; then the Thergth in the
order they appear. There are then a couple of references to nuns named seperately in the Dhammapadahakatha.

Key and References

AN (e.g. 1.14.5.1) = Aguttaranikya and Commentary (e.g. Book of the Ones, Section 14, Chapter 5, First Sutta.)
Ap (e.g. 2.7) = Ther-Apadna and Ther-Apadnadpan (e.g. Book Two, Section Seven.)
Th (e.g. 6.6) = Thergth and Commentary (e.g. Book of Six Verses, Sixth Section.)
Dhp-A (e.g. 391) = Dhammapada Commentary (e.g. to verse 391.)
Ja-A = Jtaka Commentary by Jtaka number (numbering differs in the last ten [538-547] from PTS).
JNid p.15 = Jtakanidna page 15.
IDs = identified with a character in the story, cf. here means compare the story as it is similar in many respects to a story about this nun.
Other = Materials not found in the preceding (e.g. MN 142) = Majjhimanikya and Commentary (e.g. to Sutta 142.)
D = Dgha; M = Majjhima; S = Sayutta; A = Aguttara; Sn = Suttanipta; Bv = Buddhavasa

nandajoti Bhikkhu,
October, 2014
Known Nun Disciples of the Buddha - 2


AN

Ap Th Dhp-A Ja-A Other
Mahpajpat Gotam 1.14.5.1
8.51-3
2.7 6.6 391 IDs: 222, 281, 358,
(cf. 547)
MN 142
MN 146
Khem 1.14.5.2
2.12.2
4.176
8.97
2.8 6.3 347, 403 JNid p.15, also v. 78
IDs: 354, 397, 534, 539,
(cf. 547)
SN 44.1
Bv 25.19
Uppalava 1.14.5.3
2.12.2
4.176

2.9 11.1 69 (181) JNid p.15, also v. 78
IDs: 15, 16, 29, 66, 88, 276, 354, 382, 392,
397, 408, 414, 442, 488, 501, 511, 513, 521,
527, 535, 538, 539, 540, 542, 543, 546,
(cf. 547)
SN 1.5.5
Bv 25.19
Pacr 1.14.5.4 2.10 5.10 113,
288-9
(cf. 4) (cf. 547) (cf. 301) MA 36
Dhammadinn 1.14.5.5 3.3 1.12
(cf.
Thg 6)
421 (cf. 547) MN 44
Nand 1.14.5.6 3.5 150 SnA 1.11
Bahuputtik So 1.14.5.7 3.6 5.8 115
Sakul 1.14.5.8 3.4 5.7
Bhadd Kualakes 1.14.5.9 3.1 5.9 102-3 (cf. 301)
Bhadd Kpiln 1.14.5.10 3.7 4.1 IDs: 509, 540
Bhadd Kaccn
Rhulamt
Yasodhar
1.14.5.11 3.8 JNid 54, 58
IDs: 11, 95, 194, 201, 276, 281, 292, 328, 397,
408, 411, 416, 421, 424, 434, 443, 451, 458,
459, 461, 485, 506, 509, 513, 525, 531, 539,
542, 546, 547
(cf. 281)
DA.ii.422
Kisgotam 1.14.5.12 3.2 10.1 114, 395 ID 438 SN 1.5.3
Siglamtu 1.14.5.13 4.4



Known Nun Disciples of the Buddha - 3

AN

Ap Th Dhp-A Ja-A Other
Sumedh 1.1 15.1
Mekhaldyik 1.2
Maapadyik 1.3
Sakamanatth 1.4
Naamlik 1.5
Ekapiaptadyik 1.6
Kaacchubhikkhdyik 1.7
Sattuppalamlik 1.8
Pacadpik 1.9
Udakadyik 1.10
Ekposathik 2.1
Saalapupphik 2.2
Modakadyik 2.3
Eksanadyik 2.4
Pacadpadyik 2.5
Naamlik 2.6
Yasodhar-pamukha-
dasa-bhikkhun-sahassa
3.9
Yasodhar-pamukha-
ahrasa-bhikkhun-sahassa
3.10
Yasavat-pamukha-
ahrasa-bhikkhun-sahassa
4.1
Catursti-bhikkhun-
sahassa
4.2
Uppaladyik 4.3
Sukk 4.5
Abhirpanand 4.6 2.1
Ahaksi 4.7 2.4
Puik 4.8
Ambapli 4.9 13.1
Pesal 4.10

Known Nun Disciples of the Buddha - 4

AN

Ap Th Dhp-A Ja-A Other
Aatar 1.1
Aatar 5.1
Aatartiss 1.5
Anopam 6.5
Apar-uttam 3.3
Aparsm 3.1
Abhayamtu 2.8
Abhay 2.9
avik SN 1.5.1
Isids 15.1
Uttam 3.2
Uttar 1.15
Uttar 7.1
Uttar 148
Upacl 7.3 SN 1.5.7
Upasam 1.10
Ubbir 3.5
Gutt 6.7
Cand 5.12
Cp 13.3
Cl 7.2 SN 1.5.6
Citt 2.5
Jent 2.2
Tiss 1.4
Tisamatt 5.11
Dantik 3.4
Dhamm 1.17
Dhr 1.6
Nanduttar 5.5
Pacasatamatt 6.1
Pu 1.3
Pu 12.1
Known Nun Disciples of the Buddha - 5

AN

Ap Th Dhp-A Ja-A Other
Bhadr 1.9
Mitt 1.8
Mitt 2.7
Mittk 5.6
Mutt 1.2
Mutt 1.11
Mettik 2.6
Rohin 13.2
Vahamtu 9.1
Vajir SN 1.5.10
Vseh 6.2
Vijay 6.8 SN 1.5.4
Vimal 5.2
Viskh 1.13
Vr 1.7
Vuhapabbajitasuman 1.16
Sagh 1.18
Sm 2.10
Sspacl 8.1 SN 1.5.8
Sh 5.3
Sukk 3.6
Sujt 6.4
Sundar 13.4
Sundarnand 5.4
Subhkammradhtu 13.5
Subhjvakambavanik 14.1
Suman 1.14
Sumagalamt 2.3
Sel 3.7 SN 1.5.9
Som 3.8 SN 1.5.2


Known Nun Disciples of the Buddha - 6

AN

Ap Th Dhp-A Ja-A Other
Anoj 79
Cr 181