Sasson’s new book is a retelling of the story of the women’s request for ordination. Inspired by the Therigatha and building on years of research and experience in the field, Sasson follows Vimala, Patachara, Bhadda Kundalakesa, and many others as they walk through the forest to request full access to the tradition. The Buddha’s response to this request is famously complicated; he eventually accepts women into the Order, but specific and controversial conditions are attached. Sasson invites us to think about who these first Buddhist women might have been, what they might have hoped to achieve, and what these conditions might have meant to them thereafter. By shaping her research into a story, Sasson invites readers to imagine a world that continues to inspire and complicate Buddhist narrative to this day.

Introduction -- Many Years Later: Vimala Remembers -- 1. The Buddha Said No -- 2. Vimala's Story Begins -- 3. The Leap -- 4. The Gathering -- 5. The Past Comes Charging In Many Years Later: Vimala and Darshani -- 6. The Walking Begins -- 7. Patachara -- 8. Beads and Mirrors -- 9. The Long Road -- 10. Flying Horses -- 11. The Flying Sage -- 12. River Mud -- 13. Vesali -- 14. Hollowed-Out Mess -- 15. The Great Woman Tree -- 16. Bhadda Kundalakesa -- 17. Muttering and Mad -- 18. Motherhood Lost and Found -- 19. Ananda -- 20. The Eight Heavies -- Many Years Later: The Great Immensity -- Notes -- Study Questions -- Bibliography -- Acknowledgments.