Tathālokā Therī

February 4, 2026

Original post in Thai from Dao Siam

This post is part of a series: #HerStoryOurStory: Inscribed

• Part 1: "The Gift of Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā"

• Part 2: Making Visible the Invisible

• Part 3: You made yourself a bridge

• Part 4: "The Gift of Bhikkhunī Suriyā"

• Part 5: "The Gift of Bhikkhunī Nāgilā" at Bharhut Stupa

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The Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh, built during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, was originally named Cetiyagiri. It was the place where Prince Mahinda, Emperor Ashoka's son, resided before traveling to share the Buddha's Teachings in Sri Lanka. The Pāli-text Samantapasādikā Vinaya commentary details that Prince Mahinda and his group waited before traveling because, through their spiritual insight, they perceived that then-King Mutasiva, the father of King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka, lacked the disposition for Dhamma and was not ready to receive Buddhist teachings. Even if they went, he would not be able to understand the teachings or develop faith. Therefore, they waited at Cetiya, residing at this location, until King Mutasiva passed away and his son ascended the throne, before leading the group to Sri Lanka.

Sanchi was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989. This Buddhist site contains numerous inscriptions of donors, including bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, upāsakas, upāsikās, merchants, and even kings, all of whom participated in its construction.

Some stone slabs are still lying on the ground in the grassy area, not yet preserved (as the one shown here). The inscription, written in Dhammalipi, more commonly known as Brahmi script, in Prakrit, the common local language, reads:

𑀥𑀫𑀤𑀺𑀦𑀸𑀬𑀪𑀺𑀔𑀸𑀡𑀺𑀬𑀸𑀤𑀸𑀦𑀁

Dhammadinaya Bhikkhuniya Danam

Meaning: "The donation of the bhikkhunī (female monastic) named Dhammadinnā."

The patron who built this section of the wall around the Sanchi stupa was the bhikkhuni Dhammadinnā (or supporters dedicated to her). Surveys of the inscriptions here have revealed the names of 84 bhikkhunis who contributed to the construction, including this one.

There were many bhikkhus and bhikkhunis after the time of the Buddha who did not participate in leading recitations at Buddhist councils or write any treatise or commentaries that have been preserved, so their names do not appear in the textual history of Buddhism. However, they sponsored the creation of ancient artifacts in various places, as in this case. Their inscriptions confirm their real existence in history (in this case, herstory).

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English translation adapted from Google Translate based on the much appreciated original in Thai by Dao Siam.