Susan Murcott was co-founder and editor of Kahawai: Journal for Women and Zen for many years. She is currently a professor of environmental engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has become a noted expert in safe drinking water technologies for developing countries.

Foreword by Diana Winston	11
Introduction to the Therigatha	15
Chapter One Mahapajapati	25
Chapter Two Patacara & Her Disciples	43
Chapter Three Wanders & Disciples	53
Chapter Four Wise Women & Teachers	71
Chapter Five Mothers	87
Chapter Six Wives	105
Chapter Seven Old Women	127
Chapter Eight Prostitues, Courtesans, & Beautiful Women	133
Chapter Nine Friends & Sisters	153
Chapter Ten Buddhist Nuns & Nature	169
Chapter Eleven Dialogue Poems	185
Chapter Twelve The Legacy of the First Buddhist Women	207
Appendix: Rules of the Nuns' Sangha	213
Glossary of Terms and Places	219
Index of Therigatha Poems	225
Bibliography	227
Acknowledgements	235