The Buddha describes the foremost of his bhikkhunī disciples in various categories.

PTS 1.25

AN 1.235–247 Pañcama Etadagga vagga - The Chapter on the Foremost (Fifth)

1.235

“Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, mama sāvikānaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ rattaññūnaṁ yadidaṁ mahāpajāpatigotamī.

“The foremost of my bhikkhunī disciples in experience is Mahāpajāpati Gotamī.

1.236

… Mahāpaññānaṁ yadidaṁ khemā.

among those with great wisdom is Khemā.

1.237

… Iddhimantīnaṁ yadidaṁ uppalavaṇṇā.

among those with psychic powers is Uppalavaṇṇā.

1.238

… Vinayadharānaṁ yadidaṁ paṭācārā.

among those who are expert in Vinaya is Paṭācārā.

1.239

… Dhammakathikānaṁ yadidaṁ dhammadinnā.

among those who speak on the Dhamma is Dhammadinnā.

1.240

… Jhāyīnaṁ yadidaṁ nandā.

among those who practice meditation is Nandā.

1.241

… Āraddhavīriyānaṁ yadidaṁ soṇā.

among those with energy aroused, and resolute is Soṇā.

1.242

… Dibbacakkhukānaṁ yadidaṁ bakulā.

among those with divine eye is Bakulā.

1.243

… Khippābhiññānaṁ yadidaṁ bhaddā kuṇḍalakesā.

among those who quickly attain direct knowledge is Bhaddā Kuṇḍalakesā.

1.244

… Pubbenivāsaṁ anussarantīnaṁ yadidaṁ bhaddā kāpilānī.

among those who recollect their past lives is Bhaddā Kāpilānī.

1.245

… Mahābhiññāpattānaṁ yadidaṁ bhaddakaccānā.

among those who have attained great direct knowledge is Bhadda Kaccānā.

1.246

… Lūkhacīvaradharānaṁ yadidaṁ kisāgotamī.

among those who wear coarse robes is Kisāgotamī.

1.247

… Saddhādhimuttānaṁ yadidaṁ siṅgālakamātā”ti.

among those unwavering in confidence is Siṅgālakamātā.”

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Direct knowledge

Direct knowledge

A deep, firsthand realization or knowing that arises from personal experience, not from study or conceptual understanding; it is an immediate, unmediated apprehension of truth.

Also known as: experiential understanding, direct experience
Pāli: abhiñña
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Psychic power

Psychic power

Supernormal capacities resulting from a practice of collectedness rooted in aspiration, determination, purification of mind, and investigation of phenomena.

Also known as: supernormal abilities, psychic ability, spiritual power
Pāli: iddhi, iddhimant
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on October 26, 2026

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