"Vegetarian Women"- the fore runners of Taiwan's bhiksuni Taiwan's bhiksuni have today become the focus of attention in other Buddhist countries, however the initiation of bhiksuni in Taiwan only began just over 50 years ago. Before orthodox Buddhism came to Taiwan "Vegetarian Religion," a cross between Buddhism and Taoism, was popular. What exactly was "Vegetarian Religion?" In the past what role did it play in society?

During the Qing dynasty the Imperial court dictated that only women over the age of 40 could become nuns, a rule that was intended to control the number of nuns and to prevent female distraction affecting the discipline of monks. At that time there was no place of learning in Taiwan that trained bhiksuni. Women wishing to become bhiksuni had to go to China to be ordained. As a result, a kind of substitute nun arose in society-the "Vegetarian Women." To this day older people still habitually call Buddhist temples "Vegetarian Halls" and call monks and nuns "Vegetarians" in Taiwanese dialect. The reason for this is that, in the days before an orthodox bhiksuni ordination system came to Taiwan, Taiwan's Buddhist nuns were mainly these "Vegetarian Women."

Women's refuge

Chiang Tsan-teng, a scholar who has studied the history of Buddhism in Taiwan for many years, said that "Vegetarian Religion" is a combination of Buddhism and Taoism, with a mixture of doctrines and a very strong folk flavor. "Vegetarian Women" were a kind of nun who kept their hair and were vegetarian. Nunneries were all privately built. In society at that time, if the families of high officials or wealthy families had a widow or spinster, to avoid any problems that might arise from having a single woman around they would often invest in building a nunnery as a home for the women of the family in old age and also provide shelter to other females in a similar situation.

In addition, some poor and sick girls would be sent to the "Vegetarian Hall" to become nuns with the hope that Buddha would protect them and that they would grow up healthy. It can be said that at that time these nunneries played a role as shelters for unfortunate women. Most of the women belonged to society's weaker groups and their aim in becoming "Vegetarian Women" was to lead a peaceful life. Although their numbers were significant, they were a silent social group.

During the period of Japanese colonial rule of Taiwan, Taiwan's Buddhist monks were mostly "Vegetarian Men." According to a report on religions in Taiwan prepared by the colonial government at the time, there were 700 monks in Taiwan and just 100 or so of these were based in temples. The others were both monks and Taoist priests. In comparison at the time "Vegetarian friends" numbered over 8600, illustrating the popularity of "Vegetarian Religion" in society.

Generations initiated together

In 1949 when the KMT government retreated to Taiwan, mainland China's bhiksu began to transform this Taiwan-style Buddhism. In 1953 many "Vegetarian Women" shaved off their hair and began ordination under the guidance of monks from mainland China. What was once the biggest place of Buddhist worship in Southern Taiwan, the Long Hu Nunnery, in Ta Kang Mountain, Ah-lien Rural Township, Kaushiung County, saw a peculiar situation arise which saw three generations of "Vegetarian Women" (a more experienced one, her disciples and the disciples' disciples) ordained together. The conservative image of temples or place of worship where "Vegetarian Women" became bhiksuni is very different to that of the Buddhist nunneries of today.

Although Lung Hu Nunnery houses over 100 bhiksuni, not a single one was visible when we visited. All afternoon there were only three worshippers. Under the blazing sun the only movement was the lazy motion of a cat. The director of guests made announcements over the loud speaker several times but there was still no response. One reason was that, apart from eating and working, the nuns have to chant sutras and pray to Buddha five times every day. Head bhiksuni, Yin Wu, says that "we are very conservative here. It is very old-fashioned." A young bkiksuni feels that, although the temple can't provide an opportunity for higher level study, "it is very peaceful here."

In actual fact, apart from the modern nunneries and well-known bhiksuni that appear in the media, there are still traditional nunneries that do not hold Buddhism camps, gatherings or enjoy appearing in the media. In these, the bhiksuni spend their time working in the fields, harvesting lychees and living self-sufficiently, away from the bustle of modern life.

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In a Hsichih nunnery the media-shy bhiksuni work in the fields. In Taiwan the inhabitants of most nunneries lead tranquil lives. (photo by Pu Hua-chih)

Because their own countries don't have a bhiksuni system, nuns from Indi a, Sri Lanka and Nepal have come to Taiwan to be ordained.

In a Hsichih nunnery the media-shy bhiksuni work in the fields. In Taiwan the inhabitants of most nunneries lead tranquil lives. （photo by Pu Hua- chin）