In today’s world, where the role of women in spiritual traditions is being continually explored and redefined, the Therigatha stands out as a timeless and powerful reminder: women were not just present at the dawn of Buddhism — they were awakened, wise, and fearless.

The Therigatha, meaning “Verses of the Elder Nuns,” is one of the earliest collections of women’s literature in the world. It offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the spiritual experiences of women who lived over 2,500 years ago, during the time of the Buddha. These verses, composed in Pāli, contain the personal reflections of enlightened Buddhist nuns — known as therīs — many of whom came from all walks of life: queens, courtesans, mothers, widows, and wandering ascetics.

In this article, we will explore the Therigatha in depth: its history, structure, themes, and teachings. More importantly, we’ll reflect on what it offers us today — especially for women and anyone walking the path of liberation.

📖 What Is the Therigatha?

An Ancient Collection of Sacred Poetry

The Therigatha is part of the Khuddaka Nikāya, the “Minor Collection” of the Pāli Canon in Theravāda Buddhism. Believed to have been compiled several centuries BCE, this text contains over 70 poems composed by 73 elder nuns, expressing their journey from suffering and bondage to freedom and enlightenment.

Each poem is a personal testimony — raw, concise, profound. They are not theoretical discourses but lived experiences turned into verse. The power of the Therigatha lies not only in its spiritual insight but also in its poetic beauty and emotional honesty.

Historical Context

The Therigatha originates in a time when women’s voices were rarely recorded or preserved. In ancient Indian society, women were often expected to remain in domestic roles. Yet in the Buddha’s sangha, many women found liberation — not just from suffering, but from social conventions, gender roles, and attachment.

This makes the Therigatha not only a religious text but also a historical and feminist milestone — offering the earliest known record of women’s spiritual autobiographies.

☸️ Key Themes and Teachings from the Therigatha

1. The Universal Nature of Suffering

Many verses begin by recounting the pain of loss — of husbands, children, youth, or social status. These women knew grief intimately. Some were widows, some betrayed, others worn down by the endless cycles of birth and death.

“So many times I’ve given birth,
Countless sons I’ve carried.
But now, at last,
I’ve laid the burden down.”
(Therigatha 127, Cittā Therī)

This kind of raw honesty reminds us: suffering is not limited to monks or kings, men or women. It is a shared human experience — and the first noble truth.

2. The Power of Renunciation

Many therīs left behind wealth, family, and status to enter the homeless life. Their verses show the transformative courage required to renounce worldly life, especially for women in that era.

“My hair shorn, wearing the patchwork robe,
I sit under the shade of a tree.
No longer afraid,
I dwell in freedom.”
(Therigatha 16, Mutta Therī)

This renunciation was not seen as loss, but as freedom — from craving, sorrow, and roles that no longer served their path.

3. Awakening Through Insight and Mindfulness

The Therigatha makes it clear: awakening is possible for anyone who sees clearly. These women didn’t rely on intellectual analysis but on direct experience of impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-self.

“Gone is the darkness,
The lamp of wisdom burns.
Through mindfulness,
I saw the body as it truly is.”
(Therigatha 5, Bhaddā Kāpilānī)

This points to the heart of the Buddha’s path — insight (vipassanā) into the nature of reality.

4. Empowerment and Liberation for Women

In verse after verse, these nuns affirm their spiritual power — often in contrast to societal expectations. Some directly address the constraints placed on women and reject them.

“Woman or man — what does it matter?
If the mind is trained,
Wisdom arises,
And liberation is near.”
(Therigatha 11, Soma Therī)

These declarations carry boldness and clarity. They do not ask for permission. They assert the truth.

5. Gratitude Toward the Buddha

While the verses are deeply personal, many end with heartfelt reverence for the Buddha — the teacher who opened the path for them.

“Blessed is the One who showed me the way,
Who lifted the veil from my eyes.
Because of him,
I walk free.”
(Therigatha 23, Dhammadinnā Therī)

Their gratitude reflects the central role the Buddha played in offering an inclusive path — one that even those on the margins of society could tread.

🪷 Why the Therigatha Still Matters Today

Reclaiming Forgotten Voices

In many spiritual traditions, women’s stories have been minimized or erased. The Therigatha brings those voices back — unfiltered, wise, and filled with human complexity. Reading it today helps rebalance the historical narrative of Buddhism and spirituality.

A Mirror for Modern Women (and Men)

The struggles these therīs faced — grief, social pressure, identity — remain profoundly relatable. Whether you’re navigating motherhood, aging, burnout, or a crisis of purpose, their poems offer solace and strength.

Their words remind us: awakening is not for the elite, or the perfect. It’s for anyone willing to see clearly and let go.

A Source of Meditative Contemplation

Because the verses are short and dense with meaning, the Therigatha lends itself well to daily contemplation. Reading a verse each morning can be like receiving a gentle teaching — one that bypasses the intellect and speaks to the heart.

🧘 How to Apply the Therigatha’s Wisdom in Daily Life

1. Read One Verse at a Time — Slowly

Rather than rushing through the text, take a single verse and sit with it. Reflect on how it touches your own life. Ask:

Let the poem be your mirror.

2. Journal Your Reflections

Write down what arises after reading a verse. This could be memories, questions, insights, or resistance. Journaling can help integrate the teachings more deeply and personalize them.

3. Use the Verses in Meditation

Before sitting in meditation, recite a short verse. Let it inform your sitting — especially if it deals with impermanence, craving, or mindfulness. These verses can serve as anchors for inquiry.

4. Share the Stories

Introduce the Therigatha to others — especially women who may not know that such early female wisdom exists. These stories can empower others to claim their own voice and path.

✨ Strengths and Challenges of the Therigatha

Strengths

Considerations

For deeper understanding, it’s helpful to read versions with commentary, such as Bhikkhu Bodhi’s translation or the version in “The First Free Women” (by Matty Weingast).

🔗 Your Journey Through This Book Begins Here

The Therigatha is not just a book — it is a doorway into a lineage of fierce, wise, and awakened women. These elder nuns — often dismissed or forgotten in mainstream Buddhist history — speak with a voice that transcends time. They are your companions, your foremothers, your spiritual sisters.

To read their words is to be reminded that awakening is not about being anyone else — it’s about being fully yourself, seeing clearly, and walking courageously toward freedom.

“The path is open.
No need for ornaments.
The heart, when free,
Shines brighter than gold.”
(Inspired by Therigatha 112)

If this book speaks to you, consider reading it one verse at a time — perhaps as part of a morning ritual. Pair it with silent reflection or gentle breathing. Let their voices echo within your own.

And if you’d like a companion text, try:
The First Buddhist Women: Translations and Commentary on the Therigatha by Susan Murcott — a gentle, insightful introduction.