Let's hear it for the early Buddhist women! Mahajapapati was the first Buddhist nun and leader of the women's ordained sangha, and her two chief disciples were Khema and Uppalavanna. Maitrisiddhi explores some challenging material - and also very inspiring texts around the beginning of the bhikkhuni sangha. Talk also features Mara - the embodiment of everything that holds us back. How do we free ourselves from his insidious whispers? Talk given at Tiratanaloka 'Daughters of the Buddha' weekend. Unfortunately Maitrisiddhi's introductory talk was not recorded. Let's hear it for the early Buddhist women! Mahajapapati was the first Buddhist nun and leader of the women's ordained sangha, and her two chief disciples were Khema and Uppalavanna. Maitrisiddhi explores some challenging material - and also very inspiring texts around the beginning of the bhikkhuni sangha. Talk also features Mara - the embodiment of everything that holds us back. How do we free ourselves from his insidious whispers? Unfortunately Maitrisiddhi's introductory talk was not recorded. As well as Bhikkhu Analayo's 'Daughters of the Buddha', MAitrisiddhi refers to Alice Collett's 'I Hear Her Words'