![Women in Buddhism: Questions & Answers](images/women-q&a_title.gif)
![Question:](images/women-question_title.gif)
Is
it true that if a person is enlightened, she must be ordained
within 7 days?
![Answer:](images/women-answer_title.gif)
In the Pali Tripitaka there was a case of a man who was enlightened
but could not find the robes and the bowl as required for ordination
within 7 days. He died of an accident.
In Thailand,
even if we have no women ordained as bhikkhunis, mae jis are
considered leading a celibate life and hence should be included.
It is explained that the enlightened mind is too subtle to remain
in a coarse physical body of a layperson; hence ordination is
required to prepare the body to help maintain the subtlety of
the mind.
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