First Buddhist Women Songs And Stories from the Therigatha

"First Buddhist Women is a readable, contemporary translation of and commentary on the enlightenment verses of the first female disciples of the Buddha. Through the study of the Therigatha, the earliest-known collection of women's religious poetry, the book explores Buddhism's 2,600-year-long liberal attitude toward women. Utilizing commentary and storytelling, author Susan Murcott traces the journey of wives, mothers, teachers, courtesans, prostitutes, and wanderers who became leaders in the Buddhist community, acquiring roles that even today are rarely filled by women in other, patriarchal religions.Murcott, Susan is the author of 'First Buddhist Women Songs And Stories from the Therigatha', published 2006 under ISBN 9781888375541 and ISBN 188837554X.