Who among the following were referred to as the ‘Theris’ in ancient India?
Respected women
Elder nuns in Buddhism
Women denied the Bhikkhuni status
Women expelled from the Buddhist Sangha
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Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2023
In ancient Indian Buddhism, the term ‘Theri’ (Pali) or ‘Sthavira’ (Sanskrit) referred to an elder or respected member of the monastic community. Specifically, ‘Theri’ was used for senior nuns who had achieved a certain level of spiritual development and seniority within the Bhikkhuni Sangha (the order of Buddhist nuns). The Therigatha, a collection of verses by early Buddhist nuns, provides insights into the lives and experiences of these ‘Theris’.