Tathālokā Therī

February 6, 2026

"The Dhamma Donation of Bhikkhuni Devakutta"

Original post in Hindi by Rakeshh Y. Gajbhiye

Rakeshh Y Gajbhiye writes:

"People going up and down the steps of the #sanchistupa unknowingly touch it, but they don't notice that an inscription is carved there. This inscription is in the Pali language, in the Dhammalipi script [more commonly known as 'Brahmi'], and is inscribed in a single line. It reads:

𑀤𑁂𑀯𑀕𑀼𑀢𑀸𑀬𑀪𑀺𑀔𑀼𑀡𑀺𑀬𑀸𑀤𑀸𑀦𑀁

In Pali:

Devakuttāya bhikkhuniyā dānaṁ

Its meaning is:

"The donation of Bhikkhuni Devakutta" (Devagupta in Hindi).

"This donation is related to the pillars of the steps of the Sanchi Stupa. This donation made by Bhikkhuni Devakutta/Devagupta dates back to approximately 2300 years ago. Although so much time has passed, her name is still clearly visible still to us, the people in this era.

"Heartfelt appreciation (anumodana) for this meritorious donation of Bhikkhuni Devakutta/Devagupta."

✍️✍️✍️ Rakeshh Y Gajbhiye

with 'anumodana' and thanks to Dao Siam for the original post

(English translation by Google Translate)

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*Why "Making Visible the Invisible"?

(1) I was recollecting a book title.

(2) Seeing the Dhamma is like this.

1. The book title: "Rediscovering the Invisible Believers" is the subtitle of Garima Kaushik's 2016-2018 book 'Women and Monastic Buddhism in Early South Asia, ' a book of analytical archeology, that analyzes the lived culture of women in early Indian Buddhism 'on the ground,' as expressed in the archeological landscape. The book sets forth, evaluates and interprets archaeological, epigraphic, and literary records highlighting women as active agents—whether as patrons, monastics, or upāsikā practitioners.

Agency and Visibility: As in its meaningful subtitle, the book aims to "rediscover" the often-hidden, "invisible" historical records of women in Indian Buddhist traditions.

2. The Dhamma is 'apparent here and now,' for 'those with little dust in their eyes.' It points out what is visible if we look and see. But the world is dusty, and the are 'polite' cultures of not seeing and not recognizing what might otherwise be apparent. And when apparent and seen clearly is meaningful to us. Meaningful such that we are motivated to take action: to live differently. When we live differently, see differently, think differently, speak differently - this is meaningful to others as well. The Dhamma is like this: like a lamp illuminating what was hidden. Like turning upright what had been overturned. Empowering. A matter for rejoicing and gladness indeed.

✍️ Tathālokā Therī at Dhammadharini, with appreciation

blessing the Blessed One, and all those who have given so much for heart and life energy, care and resources, to leave the visible signs of the Dhamma for us - for those with eyes to see.