Buddhist Nuns: Between Past and Present

May combine two claims.

Several vinayas came into being and were finalized as separate legal codices that mutually exclude each other.

“several vinayas came into being and at a certain point were finalized as separate legal codices that mutually exclude each other.”

May combine two claims.

Technical vinaya questions and debates about them are not new and gained importance from the start of the first Buddhist communities.

“the technical questions, and the debates surrounding them, are not at all new.Right from the start of the first Buddhist communities, they gradually gained importance.”

May combine two claims.

Six vinaya traditions have extant texts: one Pali Theravada and five in Chinese translation.

“the texts of six traditions are extant, one in Pāli -the Theravāda tradition, and five in a Chinese translation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In many accounts, Mahāprajāpatī being the Buddha's stepmother played a significant role, with reference to the debt the Buddha owed his mother.

“In many accounts, the fact that Mahāprajāpatī was the Buddha's stepmother also played a significant role, and extensive reference is made to the debt the Buddha is said to owe to his mother for everything she has done on his behalf.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

In most vinayas, the eight rules differ only slightly.

“In most vinayas, the rules differ only slightly.”

May combine two claims.

Mahāprajāpatī's story appears in most vinayas and some other early Buddhist texts.

“Her story appears in most vinayas, as well as in some other early Buddhist texts.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The first four extant vinaya texts were translated in the fifth century.

“The first four of these have been translated in the fifth century.”

May combine two claims.

Yijing's account of the monastic community at Nālandā contains no misogynistic view but refers to the precarious economic situation of nunneries due to low donations to nuns.

“When the Chinese monk Yijing travels to India in the late seventh century, and tells his readers about the monastic community at Nālandā, his account does not contain any misogynistic view, but he does refer to the precarious economic situation of nunneries, due to the low amount of donations given to Buddhist nuns (T.2125:216b11-24).”

• cites T.2125:216b11-24Not matched

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May combine two claims.

In this misogynistic view, women are seen as an inevitable personal threat to Buddhist men's goals, and femininity itself is the cause of failure.

“Women are no longer seen as a threat to the community because they make it socially less respected, but are now considered to be an inevitable threat to the goals of Buddhist men personally.Femininity itself is the cause of failure.”

May combine two claims.

While Mahāprajāpatī's acceptance of the eight rules is seen as her ordination, this is not automatically the case for the Śākya women.

“While for Mahāprajāpatī the acceptance of the eight fundamental rules is seen as her ordination, this is not automatically the case for the Śākya women.”

May combine two claims.

The Dharmaguptakavinaya adds that monks not only supervise nuns to counter danger but also offer nuns a way to overcome the dangers of the world.

“The Dharmaguptakavinaya (T.1428:923b19-20) also adds a more positive note: monks not only fight the danger of a less respected community by supervising the nuns' order, but they also offer nuns a way to get across the dangers of the world.”

• cites T.1428:923b19-20Not matched

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There is a brief hint to a two-year probationary period before full ordination, in accordance with one of the eight gurudharmas.

“There is also a brief hint to a probationary period of two years that has to precede the full ordination ceremony (T.2063:937b28-29).This is in accordance with one of the eight fundamental rules as accepted by Mahāprajāpatī.”

• cites T.2063:937b28-29Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Although the Mūlasarvāstivāda tradition ordained nuns, there is no tangible proof that full ordination for women was ever introduced in Tibet.

“Although the Mūlasarvāstivāda tradition certainly also ordained nuns, there seems to be no tangible proof that this full ordination for women has ever been introduced in Tibet.”

May combine two claims.

The last reference to Theravāda nuns is in Burma in the thirteenth century, and in Sri Lanka the ordination probably died out in the eleventh century.

“The last reference to Theravāda nuns is found in Burma in the thirteenth century.In Sri Lanka, the ordination probably died out in the eleventh century.”

May combine two claims.

The discussion peaked in the first half of the fifth century and led to a new ordination ceremony around 433, giving Chinese nuns a second ordination with an adequate quorum of fully ordained nuns from Sri Lanka.

“The discussion reached its peak in the first half of the fifth century and eventually led to a new ordination ceremony ca.433 whereby Chinese nuns were offered a second ordination, this time in the presence of an adequate quorum of fully ordained nuns who had come from Sri Lanka.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Today the position of women, especially nuns, in the Buddhist sangha is again a major issue in Buddhist communities.

“Today, the position of women, and more particularly of nuns, in the Buddhist saṃ gha is again one of the major issues discussed in Buddhist communities.”

May combine two claims.

In some areas women's communities support themselves relatively well, while in others they are poor with limited access to education.

“While in some areas, the communities can support themselves relatively well, in other areas, they are poor with only a very limited access to education.”

May combine two claims.

More and more women of the Theravāda and Tibetan traditions seek full ordination, and several attempts have been carried out, mostly with Dharmaguptaka witnesses.

“Still, more and more women of the Theravāda and Tibetan traditions seek to obtain the full ordination, and several attempts have been carried out, mostly with the help of witnesses of the Dharmaguptaka tradition.”

May combine two claims.

Only at the beginning of the eighth century did the Dharmaguptaka tradition impose itself, supported by an imperial edict.

“Only at the beginning of the eighth century, one vinaya tradition -the Dharmaguptaka traditioneventually imposed itself, supported by an edict issued by the Chinese emperor.”

• cites T.2061:793c26-27Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

In the middle of the fifth century, three main vinaya traditions were active in China: Sarvāstivādavinaya in the south, Mahāsāṃghikavinaya in the north, and to a lesser extent Dharmaguptakavinaya.

“In the middle of the fifth century, three main vinaya traditions were active in China: in the south the Sarvāstivādavinaya, and in the north the Mahāsāṃ ghikavinaya, and to a lesser extent the Dharmaguptakavinaya (Heirman 2002b:400-423).”

• cites Heirman 2002b:400-423Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

In Southeast Asia, the nuns' ordination existed at least until the thirteenth century and then became extinct.

“In Southeast Asia, the nuns' ordination existed at least until the thirteenth century, but then became extinct, while in Tibet there is no proof that it was ever introduced.”

May combine two claims.

From that time on, only one vinaya tradition was followed in China, and it spread to other East Asian regions.

“From that time on only one vinaya tradition was followed in China.From China, it spread to other East Asian regions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Since the beginning of the 1980s, nuns of the Tibetan tradition have received full ordination in Chinese monasteries.

“Since the beginning of the eighties, nuns of the Tibetan tradition have received the full ordination in Chinese monasteries.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Rules for the monastic community were eventually gathered in texts called vinayas.

“Rules were drawn up for this monastic community, and were eventually gathered in texts, labeled as vinayas (disciplinary texts).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The extant vinaya texts reliably preserve the rules and procedures of the early Buddhist communities and later traditions.

May combine two claims.

The Mahāprajāpatī story presents women as soteriologically equal to men but institutionally inferior.

“The story shows women as soteriologically equal to men, but institutionally inferior.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

According to tradition, the first nun ordained was Mahāprajāpatī, the Buddha's stepmother.

“According to tradition, the first nun ever to have been ordained was the Buddha's stepmother, Mahāprajāpatī.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The traditional narratives about Mahāprajāpatī and Sanghamittā, though legendary, can be used as evidence for the historical development of nuns' ordination.

May combine two claims.

Although tradition holds the eight gurudharmas were given by the Buddha at Mahāprajāpatī's acceptance, research indicates they were likely formulated after the nuns' order had developed for some time.

“Although tradition holds these rules to have been given by the Buddha at the occasion of Mahāprajāpatī's acceptance into the order, the work of many researchers has shown that they were in all likelihood formulated after the order of nuns had already developed for some time.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

At first Mahāprajāpatī was denied full ordination by the Buddha, but he later affirmed that women can become arhats and obtain enlightenment.

“At first, the story goes, Mahāprajāpatī was denied full ordination as a nun by the Buddha, although he later answered affirmatively to the monk Ānanda's question whether or not women can become arhats and thus obtain enlightenment.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The traditional narratives about Mahāprajāpatī and Sanghamittā, though legendary, can be used as evidence for the historical development of nuns' ordination.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

This obligation is never to be transgressed and assures proper uninterrupted transmission of rules for women from the Buddha onward.

“This obligation is never to be transgressed.It assures the proper and uninterrupted transmission of the rules for women from the time of the Buddha onward.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

According to the story, women weaken the community and doctrine by making it less respected, and this danger can only be countered if monks strictly control the nuns' community.

“Women weaken the community, and thus the doctrine, by making it less respected.This danger can only be countered if the monks strictly control the nuns' community.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

A distinction should be made between images in narrative literature and the reality of daily life of Buddhist nuns.

“Moreover, one should make a differentiation between images of narrative literature and the reality of daily life of Buddhist nuns.”

May combine two claims.

While perspectives on women change by time and region, the basic vinaya rules remain the same; changes appear only in how people deal with these rules.

“While the perspective on women changes widely according to time and region, the basic rules laid down in the vinaya remain the same.Changes are perceptible only in the way one deals with these rules.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The story gives reasons why this inferior position, formalized by the eight gurudharmas, is necessary for the survival and continuation of the Buddhist order.

“It also enumerates several reasons why this inferior position, formalized through the eight gurudharmas, is necessary for the survival and continuation of the Buddhist order.”

May combine two claims.

Technical questions such as vinaya rules on women's position are influenced by gender concepts but are not an exact mirror of views of the female in narrative genres.

“Technical questions, such as the vinaya rules on the position of women within the Buddhist saṃ gha, are on the one hand influenced by gender related concepts, but are on the other hand not an exact mirror of the various views of the female as found in the many narrative genres.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

According to tradition, Mahāprajāpatī was accompanied by numerous Śākya women.

“According to tradition, Mahāprajāpatī did not go alone to see the Buddha.She was accompanied by numerous women of her own clan, the Śākyas.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The traditional narratives about Mahāprajāpatī and Sanghamittā, though legendary, can be used as evidence for the historical development of nuns' ordination.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Mahinda went to Sri Lanka with an adequate quorum of monks to initiate a monastic order for men.

“Mahinda is said to have gone to Sri Lanka with an adequate quorum of monks in order to initiate a monastic order for men.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The traditional narratives about Mahāprajāpatī and Sanghamittā, though legendary, can be used as evidence for the historical development of nuns' ordination.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It cannot be excluded that exceptional women in Tibet may have received full ordination by monks alone at some time.

“Still, it cannot be excluded that at some time in the past exceptional women may have received full ordination by monks alone (Guschow 2000:108; Harvey 2000:399).”

• cites Guschow 2000:108Not matched

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• cites Harvey 2000:399 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In Tibet, the monastic community follows the Mūlasarvāstivādavinaya.

“In Tibet, the monastic community follows the Mūlasarvāstivādavinaya.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

According to legend, queen Anulā and her retinue wanted to enter the Buddhist sangha.

“according to legend, even queen Anulā and her retinue wanted to enter the Buddhist saṃ gha.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The traditional narratives about Mahāprajāpatī and Sanghamittā, though legendary, can be used as evidence for the historical development of nuns' ordination.

May combine two claims.

Growing internationalization of Buddhist communities introduces new ideas into formerly independent environments, accelerating local debates.

“On the other hand, growing internationalization of Buddhist communities introduces new ideas into formerly rather independent environments, thus accelerating local debates.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

These discussions take place against the background of the realities of life for women's Buddhist communities in different regions.

“The above discussions take place against the background of the realities of life for women's Buddhist communities in different regions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Especially more educated women take part in the debate, and they are the same women who come into contact with the globalized Buddhist context.

“we have to keep in mind that it is especially the more educated women who take part in the debate, and that it is precisely the same women who come into contact with the globalized Buddhist context.”

May combine two claims.

The new international context activates debate on legitimacy, raising questions about which ordination ceremony is legally correct.

“The new international context also activates the debate on legitimacy, raising questions as to which ordination ceremony can be considered as legally correct.”

May combine two claims.

The nun witnesses came from Sri Lanka and were in all likelihood ordained in the Pali Theravāda vinaya tradition.

“On the other hand, the nun witnesses all came from Sri Lanka and in all likelihood were ordained in the Pāli Theravāda vinaya tradition.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Since the ordination ceremony took place in Nanjing in southern China, the Sarvāstivādavinaya might have been used.

“Since the ordination ceremony took place in the present city of Nanjing, in the south of China, the Sarvāstivādavinaya might have been used.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Reactions to full ordination attempts can vary widely from region to region.

“It is important to note that reactions on the full ordination attempts can vary widely from region to region.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

From an academic perspective, supported by many monastics, the vinaya is a collection of texts adapted over many centuries before it was finalized.

“From an academic point of view (supported by many monastics), the vinaya is a compendium of texts that was adapted during many centuries before it became finalized.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

O. von Hinüber has challenged the tradition that the Buddha gave the eight gurudharmas.

“In a recent research, O. von Hinüber has challenged the latter tradition (von Hinüber 2008).”

• cites von Hinüber 2008Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The conference assembled representatives from the Dharmaguptaka, Theravāda, and Mūlasarvāstivāda traditions and from many regions.

“The international conference brought together representatives from the Dharmaguptaka, Theravāda and Mūlasarvāstivāda traditions, and from many different regions.”

• cites Mrozik 2009:369-372 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

According to tradition, the Buddha allowed women to enter the Buddhist monastic order and gave them the eight gurudharmas.

“According to tradition, as we have seen above, the Buddha himself allowed women to enter the Buddhist monastic order, and gave them the eight gurudharmas.”

May combine two claims.

For Theravāda nuns, an additional obstacle is that Dharmaguptaka nuns follow the Mahāyāna tradition, with bodhisattva vows and ordination linked to it.

“An additional obstacle, at least for the Theravāda nuns, is that the Dharmaguptaka nuns also follow the Mahāyāna tradition, and thus the bodhisattva vows and bodhisattva ordination are linked to it.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

A central issue at the conference was whether full ordination for nuns should be re-established through dual ordination with monks and nuns or through single ordination by monks only.

“One of the major issues was whether a possible (re-)establishment of a full ordination for nuns should be done through a dual ordination -in the presence of an adequate quorum of monks and nuns -or through a single ordination, by monk witnesses only.”

May combine two claims.

Dharmaguptaka nuns do not strictly apply the probationary period rules to themselves and belong to a different vinaya tradition.

“Not only do they not strictly apply for themselves the rules on the probationary period, but more importantly, they belong to a different vinaya tradition.”

May combine two claims.

The conference primarily sought to revive a Mūlasarvāstivāda full ordination for nuns, while also inviting Theravāda representatives.

“The conference mainly aimed at reviving a Mūlasarvāstivāda full ordination for nuns, although representatives of Theravāda orders were equally invited.”

• cites Mrozik 2009:369-372 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

A central gurudharma rule requires that after a two-year probationary period, ordination be carried out first in the nuns' order and then in the monks' order, implying a legally valid quorum of fully ordained nuns and monks.

“One of the central rules of the gurudharmas stipulates that, after a probationary period of two years, an ordination ceremony has to be carried out first in the nuns' order and then in the monks' order, which implies a legally valid quorum of fully ordained nun and monk witnesses.”

May combine two claims.

The validity of witnesses depends heavily on how vinaya texts are interpreted, and at the Buddha's time there was no distinction among vinaya traditions.

“the validity of witnesses very much depends on the interpretation of the vinaya texts, always keeping in mind that at the time of the Buddha there was no such thing as the distinction among vinaya traditions.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The vinayas do not comment on whether nuns who begin reciting another tradition's prātimokṣa texts at poṣadha have changed tradition and become legally valid witnesses, because the differences between traditions known in fifth-century China or today were not at stake when the vinaya texts were finalized.

“Obviously, the vinayas do not comment on this, since differences between traditions as known in China in the fifth century or as known today, were not yet at stake at the time when the vinaya texts were finalized.”

May combine two claims.

If nuns from one tradition cannot legally serve as witnesses for ordination in another, single ordination appears to be the only option, even though it conflicts with a strict reading of the vinaya.

“In the case that the answer is negative, a single ordination seems inevitably to be the only possible way, although it goes against a strict interpretation of the vinaya rules.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

If von Hinüber's conclusion is accepted, it implies that the first women were ordained by monks only and that monks could do so today.

“If accepted, it implies that the first women were ordained by monks only, and that monks could do so also today.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Dual ordination satisfies these demands but raises the question of whether Dharmaguptaka nun witnesses are valid.

“A dual ordination responds to these demands, but opens a discussion on the validity of the Dharmaguptaka nun witnesses.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The technical discussion about reviving full ordination for nuns is tied to two main issues: how strictly to follow vinaya rules, especially the gurudharmas, and how far different vinaya traditions can collaborate.

“The technical discussion on the revival of a full ordination for nuns is linked to two major issues: first, how strictly does one have to follow the rules of the vinaya, more particularly of the gurudharmas, and second, to what extent can different vinaya traditions work together?”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

At that second ordination, all participants may have recited the same Chinese texts, and their validity was not questioned.

“Still, all participants might have recited the same (Chinese) texts, and their validity was not questioned.”

• cites Shih Heng-ching 2007Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

This precedent potentially opens a discussion about changing ordination tradition without any ceremony taking place.

“The precedent potentially opens a discussion on a change of ordination tradition without any ceremony taking place.”

May combine two claims.

Involving Dharmaguptaka nuns can be avoided only by choosing single ordination, as several vinaya traditions report was the case for the Śākya women who followed Mahāprajāpatī.

“This involvement of Dharmaguptaka nuns can only be avoided if one opts for a single ordination, as has been the case, according to several vinaya traditions, for the Śākya women who followed Mahāprajāpatī in the Buddhist order.”

May combine two claims.

In principle, vinaya traditions exclude one another, although historic precedents of close collaboration exist, such as the second ordination ceremony for nuns in fifth-century China.

“As we have seen above, in principle vinaya traditions exclude each other, although historic precedents of close collaboration are known -such as the second ordination ceremony for nuns in fifth century China.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Present-day debates commonly refer to philological research on vinaya texts, with all parties hoping to find their own view confirmed.

“Added to this is the present-day common reference to philological research on vinaya texts, in which all parties hope to find their point of view confirmed.”

May combine two claims.

The First International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha took place in Hamburg in July 2007, with the Dalai Lama present on its final day.

“In July 2007, on the initiative of Western Buddhist women, a large conference on Buddhist nuns was held, with the Dalai Lama present on its last day.”

• cites Mrozik 2009:369-372 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The concept of the eight gurudharmas was in all likelihood created after the historical Buddha's death, implying that stipulations such as a probationary period or twofold ordination were probably not present from the beginning.

“In this context, it is stated that the concept of the eight gurudharmas was in all likelihood made after the death of the historical Buddha, implying that stipulations such as a probationary period or a twofold ordination were in all probability not there from the start.”

• cites Shih Heng-ching 2007Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Huimin bhikṣu 2007Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

At the Hamburg event, many sought a legal vinaya way to re-establish nuns' ordination, especially in the Tibetan lineage, relying on philological scrutiny of vinaya passages.

“At the latest international event in Hamburg, many strove to find a legal vinaya way to re-establish the nuns' ordination, especially in the Tibetan lineage, relying on a philological scrutiny of vinaya passages.”

May combine two claims.

The Dalai Lama's permission does not allow women to enter the Mūlasarvāstivāda monastic organization but sets them apart.

“It does not allow women to enter the Mūlasarvāstivāda monastic organization, but sets them apart.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The outcome of the debates will inevitably be linked to the degree of acceptance by established orders in various regions.

“The outcome of the debates will inevitably be linked to the degree of acceptance by the established orders in the various regions of the world.”

May combine two claims.

The use of a particular terminology for nuns' ordination in the Pāli Vinaya might indicate that events were recorded without a tendency toward uniformity, suggesting the story was authentic and not copied from monks' ordination data.

“The use of a particular terminology for the ordination of nuns, as observed in the Pāli Vinaya, might indicate, for instance, that the events were recorded without giving in to any tendency of uniformity, thus suggesting at least that the story was authentic and not copied from available data on the monks' ordination.”

May combine two claims.

Although the Buddha is not said to have interacted with individual nuns, several passages in the Pāli canon and other canons discuss meetings with groups of nuns or reports about nuns given to the Buddha, suggesting he was alive when the nuns' order was already active.

“While the Buddha is not said to have interacted with individual nuns, several passages in the Pāli canon (and even more in other canons, in which the Buddha also directly addresses nuns) discuss meetings with a group of nuns, or mention reports about nuns being given to the Buddha, suggesting that he was still alive when the order of nuns was already rather active.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Reciting Dharmaguptaka procedures in Tibetan brings Dharmaguptaka ceremonies closer to a Tibetan-speaking community but draws a clear line between the Mūlasarvāstivāda and Dharmaguptaka traditions.

“Reciting the Dharmaguptaka procedures in Tibetan, on the one hand brings the Dharmaguptaka ceremonies (including a higher ordination) closer to a Tibetan-speaking community, but on the other hand draws a clear line between the (Tibetan) Mūlasarvāstivāda tradition and the Dharmaguptaka tradition.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Without support from senior monks, including the Dalai Lama, recognition will remain difficult.

“Without the support of the senior monks, including the Dalai Lama, recognition will remain difficult.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The idea potentially undermines the foundations of nunneries, which rest on an uninterrupted transmission of ordinations since the Buddha's time.

“Even worse, it potentially impugns the foundations of the nunneries, which are based on an uninterrupted transmission of ordinations since the time of the Buddha.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

From a religious point of view, all vinaya texts, including the eight fundamental rules, are linked to the Buddha's personal views; from an academic point of view, vinaya texts are seen as a body of texts constantly adapted until they became finalized.

“While from a religious point of view, all vinaya texts, including the eight fundamental rules, are linked to the personal views of the Buddha, from an academic point of view, the vinaya texts are seen as a body of texts that were constantly adapted until at a certain point the vinayas became finalized.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The debates mostly go back to Mahāprajāpatī and her acceptance of the eight fundamental rules, which impose an ordination ceremony in the presence of fully ordained nun and monk witnesses.

“They mostly go back to Mahāprajāpatī and her acceptance of the eight fundamental rules, which impose an ordination ceremony in the presence of fully ordained nun and monk witnesses.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Many present-day discussions focus either on the intention of the vinaya or on a strict technical interpretation.

“Putting the methodological questions aside, it is clear that many present-day discussions focus either on the intention of the vinaya or on a strict technical interpretation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Apart from the question of methodological correctness, it can be doubted whether this procedure will ever lead to legally acceptable results for Buddhist communities.

“Apart from the question of how far a debate that mixes religious and scientific aims is methodologically correct, it can be doubted whether this procedure will ever lead to legally acceptable results for the Buddhist communities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Philological research might never entirely retrace the events of the Buddha's life, especially when the multiplicity of voices in Buddhist texts is emphasized.

“Philological research might never entirely retrace the events of the Buddha's life, certainly not when the concept of a “multiplicity of voices” found in the Buddhist texts is emphasized.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

An added element is the differences between traditions, especially Theravāda and Mahāyāna, leading to discussions about their possible or impossible legal collaboration.

“One element has been added though, namely the differences between the traditions, and especially between the Theravāda and Mahāyāna orders, which leads to discussions on their possible or impossible legal collaboration.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Looking for religious truth through an academic process might be a futile exercise.

“In this sense, looking for the religious truth through an academic process might indeed be -to use Hartmann's word -a “futile” exercise.”