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The information about Buddha’s omniscient intelligence is mentioned in the Tipitaka, the Pali Canon, in various places. It is more detailedly described in the Abhidhamma Pitaka. The Buddha’s omniscient intelligence only works if he directs his mind into that super-intelligence; then, he can know all information in all aspects about any matter. The Buddha’s omniscient intelligence is not an automatic intelligence that always keeps him informed about everything in the universe but only gives him accurate information about anything when he directs or merges his mind into that super-omniscient intelligence. And the Buddha could enter this omniscient intelligence in an instant and could know about anything in the universe. It is because of this super-intelligence that the Buddha is called “the sage of sages,” or the “muni muni.”

The Buddha’s omniscient intelligence, as described in the Tipitaka and detailed in the Abhidhamma Pitaka, grants him access to all information in the universe across every possible aspect. This supreme intelligence allows the Buddha to know:

Spiritual and Supra-Mundane Realms – The nature of enlightenment, the path to liberation, the workings of karma, and the ultimate truth of existence (Dharma).

Mundane and Worldly Knowledge – Every aspect of conventional reality, including sciences, arts, medicines, and practical wisdom.

Other Dimensions and Worlds – The existence of various realms (such as the Brahma worlds, heavenly realms, none human worlds and other planes of existence).

All Beings and Their Realms – The states of gods, maras, brahmas, humans, none humans, animals, and other sentient beings, including their past, present, and future conditions.

All Elements and Forces – The fundamental components of the universe (earth, water, fire, air, space, etc.) and their interactions.

All Sciences and Arts – From medicine to philosophy, from mathematics to music, the Buddha’s knowledge encompasses all fields of human and cosmic understanding.

Past, Present, and Future – The ability to perceive events across all temporal dimensions, including the consequences of actions (karma results) and the unfolding of future possibilities.

Causal and Non-Causal Phenomena – The Buddha understands both conditioned (arisen from causes) and unconditioned (such as Nibbāna) realities.

The True Liberation (Nibbāna) – The ultimate goal of spiritual practice, the cessation of suffering, and the nature of the unconditioned.

The Entire Universe in Its Totality – Every particle, every being, every event, and every law governing existence.

Fully Knowing and Seeing Everything in the Universe – The Buddha perceives all phenomena fully and completely, with total comprehension of every aspect of any thing or event in existence. His knowledge is not partial or limited but encompasses absolute, exhaustive understanding of the entire universe in its entirety.

Fighters become fighters because, early in their lives, someone bullied or harassed them for a prolonged period, often in their school classrooms. This mistreatment is not random; it occurs due to past-life karmas. They harmed living beings in previous lives, and now they face suffering from other people or by other means as a result.

To fight an opponent and strike them until blood flows requires a mind consumed by hatred. Without intense hatred, one cannot harm another living being. According to Dharma, as taught by the supreme Omniscient Buddha, sinful karma arises when the mind is associated by one of the three evil natures: craving, hatred, or ignorance. These thoughts generate sinful karmas, and fighters accumulate them. After death, they are reborn in one of the four hell realms types.

In training and fighting, their mindset is filled with hatred: "I will learn this skill to destroy my opponents. I will break their arms, punch their faces, and strike them until blood comes out. I will win by crushing my opponent." These thoughts are hateful, and the supreme Omniscient Buddha explicitly warned against them, as they create sinful karmas that lead to rebirth in hells.

Examples of fighters with incurable sicknesses:

Furthermore, those who participate in fighting competitions and defeat their opponents often suffer from incurable illnesses, such as cancers and other diseases with no clear cause. Examples of this karmic result include:

Ronda Rousey (famous female MMA fighter), who publicly stated, "I break people's arms. Since I was a little girl, I have been trained to break arms."

Muhammad Ali (famous boxer)

Mike Tyson (famous boxer)

Not only fighters but also those who organize fighting tournaments and competitions suffer the same fate. A clear example is Dana White, a prominent fighting competition organizer, who has faced severe incurable health issues.

These sinful individuals, after their short human lives, are reborn in hells to endure the weight of their accumulated sinful karmas. After an extremely long time, when they are released from hells, they may be reborn as humans. But even then, they will be unfortunate, plagued by incurable illnesses and constant suffering.

Long life, good health, beauty, strength, wealth, high birth, and wisdom are results of good karmas. Short life, poor health, ugliness, weakness, poverty, low birth, and stupidity are results of sinful karmas. When discussing karma, one must understand that its effects do not end in a single life or even in several lives. If a karma is powerful, its consequences may manifest over thousands of lifetimes, or even more.

What the Buddha taught about this:

The supreme omniscient Buddha explains in the Cula‑Kammavibhanga Sutta these things:

"Student, beings are owners of their karmas, heirs of their karmas; karmas are their progenitor, karmas their kin, karmas their refuge. It is karmas that differentiate beings according to inferiority and superiority."

"Here, student, some woman or man is a killer of living beings — murderous, bloody‑handed, given to blows and violence, merciless to living beings. Due to having performed and completed such karmas, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state of deprivation, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, in hell. If, on the dissolution of the body, after death, instead of reappearing in a state of deprivation, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, in hell, he is reborn in the human state, he is short‑lived wherever he is reborn. This is the way that leads to short life: namely, to be a killer of living beings — murderous, bloody‑handed, given to blows and violence, merciless to living beings."

"But here some woman or man, having abandoned the killing of living beings, abstains from killing, lays aside the rod and the knife, is considerate and merciful, and dwells compassionate for the welfare of all living beings. Due to having performed and completed such karmas, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, in the heavenly world. If, on the dissolution of the body, after death, instead of reappearing in a happy destination, in the heavenly world, he is reborn in the human state, he is long‑lived wherever he is reborn. This is the way that leads to long life: namely, to have abandoned the killing of living beings, to abstain from killing, to lay aside the rod and the knife, to be considerate and merciful, and to dwell compassionate for the welfare of all living beings."

"Here, student, some woman or man is one who harms beings with his hands, with clods, with sticks, or with knives. Due to having performed and completed such karmas, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a state of deprivation, in an unhappy destination, in perdition, in hell. If instead he is reborn in the human state, he is sickly wherever he is reborn. This is the way that leads to sickness: namely, to be one who harms living beings with one's hands, with clods, with sticks, or with knives."

"But here some woman or man is not one who harms beings with his hands, with clods, with sticks, or with knives. Due to having performed and completed such karmas, on the dissolution of the body, after death, he reappears in a happy destination, in the heavenly world. If instead he is reborn in the human state, he is healthy wherever he is reborn. This is the way that leads to health: namely, not to be one who harms living beings with his hands, with clods, with sticks, or with knives."

Also, the supreme omniscient Buddha explains in his Yodhajiva Sutta like this:

"A professional military fighter came to the Buddha and said, 'Lord, I have heard from my teachers and other fighters that when a fighter goes to battle and is killed on the battlefield, that dead fighter is reborn in a heavenly world. What does the Buddha say about this?' The Buddha replied, 'Enough, fighter; do not ask me this question.' But the fighter asked the question three times, and then the Buddha said:

'When a military fighter strives and struggles in battle, his mind is already low, degraded, and misdirected as he thinks, "May these sentient beings be killed, slaughtered, slain, destroyed, or annihilated!" His foes kill him and finish him off, and when his body breaks up, after death he is reborn in the hell called "The Fallen." If you hold the view that "Suppose a military fighter, while striving and struggling in battle, is killed and finished off by his foes; when his body breaks up, after death he is reborn in the company of the gods of the fallen," that is a wrong view. An individual with wrong view is reborn in one of two places, I say: hell or the animal realm.'

When the Buddha replied thus, the fighter (soldier) wept, very sad. Seeing that he was saddened by the Buddha's truthful words, the Buddha said further, 'That is why I told you not to ask me that question.'"

Three past lives of the Buddha himself:

Also, the supreme omniscient Buddha explains in his Pubbakammapilotika Sutta like this:

"Monks, in one of my past lives I was a clever wrestler. One day, when I was wrestling an opponent, I caused him great pain. Because of this sinful karma I committed in that life, today I have an incurable back pain."

"Monks, in one of my past lives I was a king who ruled a kingdom. One day I killed a man with a weapon. Due to that sinful karma, after death I was born in a hell realm and suffered extreme pain for a very, very long time. Furthermore, because of that same karma, in this present life my leg was bruised."

"Monks, in one of my past lives I was a boy in a fishing village, and I saw fishermen kill many fish; seeing that, I became happy. Because of that sinful karma I committed in that life, today in this present life I have an incurable headache."

How Modern Farming Practices Fuel Farmer Suicides:

Another group who often die young are modern farmers who use poisons to kill the animals and insects that destroy their crops and harvests. When farmers apply insecticides with the intention of killing, those actions create sinful karmas. Farmers who perform such work frequently face shortened lives. The insects killed on farms are beings who were once men and women the former farmers (those who did this same living beings killing thing) in past lives who, after passing through hell realms, returned as insects.

Many farmer deaths occur by suicide or similar causes rather than by a natural, peaceful death. Modern farmers face a significantly higher risk of suicide compared with the general population. Scientific studies have found that farmers are among the occupational groups most likely to die by suicide.

Examples and findings:

India: In 2022, 11,290 persons involved in the farming sector died by suicide; in 2020, over 10,000 agricultural workers ended their own lives.

Australia: Research reports suicide rates among farmers up to 94% higher than non-farmers; on average one farmer dies by suicide about every 10 days.

United Kingdom: About one farmer a week dies by suicide.

France: About one farmer every two days dies by suicide.

Scotland and Northern Ireland: Studies show elevated rates among farmers.

Rural farmers are the backbone of many nations. For example, United States of America agriculture produces roughly $389 billion in products. Yet farmers in many countries do not experience long, peaceful lives. Farmer suicides are a global crisis, reported in countries including the United States, China, Pakistan, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, Guyana, South Africa, Germany, Austria, Suriname, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Ireland.

Real-life examples of fighters who died young:

The life of a fighter in the human plane is very short. Those merciless fighters came to the human plane from hell worlds, and after their death they return again to hells. Here are some examples; none of the fighters listed below had a normal, peaceful death:

Canaan Bower (wrestling champion died at age 18)

Victoria Lee (female MMA fighter died at age 18)

Chris Von Erich (wrestler died at age 21)

Jeanette Zacarias Zapata (female fighter died at age 18)

Alfredo Castro Herrera (MMA fighter died at age 15)

Janet Wolfe (female wrestler died at age 18)

Bruce Lee (world famous fighter died at age 32)

Kira Rubel Cababa (female fighter died at age 17)

Guma Epfane Vasconcelos (BJJ fighter died at age 29)

Hana Kimura (female wrestler died at age 22)

Emiko Kado (female wrestler died at age 23)

Yang Jian Bing (MMA fighter died at age 21)

Leandro Pereira do Nascimento Lo (BJJ 8 times champion fighter died at age 33)

Jessica Lindsay (female fighter died at age 18)

Asahi (female wrestler died at age 21)

Nancy Elizabeth Benoit (female wrestler died at age 43)

Katy Collins (female MMA fighter died at age 32)

Erich Kulas (wrestler died at age 22)

Georgia O'Connor (female fighter died at age 25)

Rocksan Biggerstaff BellaDonna (female wrestler died at age 39)

Christian Lubenga (MMA fighter died at age 25)

Daniel Michael Quirk (wrestler died at age 22)

Édouard Beaupré (8 feet tall wrestler died at age 23)

Ramin Zeynalov (MMA fighter died at age 27)

Dom Travis (wrestler died at age 31)

Saeideh Aletaha (female fighter died at age 26)

Dominika "Mina" Elischerova (female fighter died at age 23)

Marie Dina DeStefano (female wrestler died at age 42)

Christopher Jonathan Bauman Jr (wrestler died at age 23)

Jesús Javier Hernández Silva (wrestler died at age 21)

Jordan Parsons (MMA fighter died at age 25)

Diego Braga (BJJ fighter died at age 44)

Justin Levens (fighter died at age 28)

Mike Von Erich (wrestler died at age 23)

Daniel Moody (wrestler died at age 39)

Mike Mittelmeier (MMA fighter died at age 20)

Dustin Jenson (MMA fighter died at age 26)

Josh Samman (MMA fighter died at age 28)

Rey Celestial (wrestler died at age 22)

Bruno Inácio Nunes (BJJ fighter died at age 37)

Ryan Jimmo (MMA fighter died at age 34)

Blas Avena (MMA fighter died at age 32)

Steven Nicolas Romero (wrestler died at age 30)

Matt Travis (wrestler died at age 25)

Chyna Joan Marie Laurer (female wrestler died at age 46)

Justin Eilers (MMA fighter died at age 30)

Shane Shamrock (wrestler died at age 23)

Ashley Nichols (female MMA fighter died at age 37)

María Jesús Rosa (female fighter died at age 44)

David Von Erich (wrestler died at age 25)

Jake Sendler (MMA fighter died at age 21)

Sam Vasquez (MMA fighter died at age 35)

Becky Zerlentes (female fighter died at age 34)

Freeda Foreman (female fighter died at age 42)

Rondel Clark (MMA fighter died at age 26)

Tyrone Mims (MMA fighter died at age 30)

Jimmie Lee Banks (wrestler died at age 26)

Kurtis Chapman (wrestler died at age 26)

Joseph Carl Bailey Jr (wrestler died at age 27)

Bertha Faye (female wrestler died at age 40)

Masakazu Fukuda (wrestler died at age 27)

Vince Steele (wrestler died at age 39)

Reid Flair (wrestler died at age 25)

Shannon Claire Spruill (female wrestler died at age 46)

Jeff Peterson (wrestler died at age 21)

Shane del Rosario (MMA fighter died at age 30)

Booto Guylain (MMA fighter died at age 29)

Gino Hernandez (wrestler died at age 29)

Thomas Russell Haas (wrestler died at age 27)

Louie Spicolli (wrestler died at age 27)

Bobby Shane (wrestler died at age 29)

Elizabeth Ann Hulette (female wrestler died at age 42)

Christopher J. Taylor (wrestler died at age 29)

Trent Acid (wrestler died at age 29)

Art Barr (wrestler died at age 28)

Lance Cade (wrestler died at age 29)

Clarence Whistler (wrestler died at age 29)

Becky Zerlentes (female fighter died at age 34)

Aya Koyama (female MMA fighter died at age 45)

Takayuki Okada (MMA fighter died at age 30)

Ricky Lawless (wrestler died at age 28)

Zubair Jhara Pehalwan (wrestler died at age 30)

Pierre Lefebvre (wrestler died at age 30)

Richard Emmett McGraw Jr (wrestler died at age 30)

Johnny Perry (wrestler died at age 30)

Larry Sweeney (wrestler died at age 30)

Plum Mariko (female wrestler died at age 29)

Sara Lee (female wrestler died at age 30)

Chiemi Kitagami (female wrestler died at age 22)

Ray Lin Byron (female wrestler died at age 36)

Mateus Fernandes (MMA fighter died at age 22)

Maiquel Falcão (fighter died at age 40)

Justin Levens (MMA fighter died at age 28) 

Ashley Marie Massaro (female wrestler died at age 39)

Marianna Komlos (female wrestler died at age 34)

Douglas Dedge (MMA fighter died at age 31)

João Carvalho (MMA fighter died at age 28)

Michael Kirkham (MMA fighter died at age 30)

Jeremy Williams (MMA fighter died at age 27)

Introduction:

As of 2026, there are no Theravada Buddhist bhikkhunis (fully ordained nuns) in the world. According to the Tipitaka (Pali Canon), it is not possible to re-establish the Theravada bhikkhuni sangha. This article explains the reasons, based on the Vinaya Pitaka and historical context, and clarifies the status of modern women claiming to be Theravada bhikkhunis.

Key Reasons for the Absence of Theravada Bhikkhunis:

1. No Unbroken Lineage:

The Theravada bhikkhuni sangha lineage was destroyed over a millennium ago.

Without an unbroken lineage, ordination and upasampada (higher ordination) cannot be validly conferred.

2. Vinaya Pitaka Restrictions:

The Buddha did not permit male bhikkhus to ordain women as bhikkhunis.

The Vinaya Pitaka explicitly states that only a dual sangha (both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis) can perform a valid bhikkhuni ordination.

3. Mahayana Dharmagupta Ordination is Not Valid in Theravada:

Some modern women are ordained under the Mahayana Dharmagupta tradition.

Theravada Buddhism does not recognize Mahayana ordinations as valid for establishing a Theravada bhikkhuni sangha.

The Buddha’s Stance on Bhikkhuni Ordination:

Initial Refusals:

The Buddha refused six times to allow women’s ordination:

Three times to Mahaprajapati Gautami (his stepmother).

Three times to Venerable Ananda (a his chief disciple).

The Buddha stated: “Never mind, Gautami/Ananda, you shall not desire/prefer the ordination of women in the Buddha Sasana.”

Conditional Permission and the Eight Heavy Rules (Ashta Garu Dhammas):

After persistent requests, the Buddha reluctantly permitted women’s ordination but imposed eight strict rules (Ashta Garu Dhammas) to protect the Sangha and Dhamma.

These rules include:

Bhikkhunis must always show respect to bhikkhus, regardless of seniority.

Bhikkhunis cannot live in areas without bhikkhus.

Bhikkhunis must seek guidance from bhikkhus every half-month.

Bhikkhunis must undergo a 2-year novice period before higher ordination.

Bhikkhunis cannot advise or criticize bhikkhus, no matter what.

The Buddha warned in a simile: “It is like, if women had not been allowed to ordain, my teachings would have lasted 1,000 years. Now, they will last only 500 years.”

Modern Claims of Theravada Bhikkhunis: Why They Are Invalid:

1. No Valid Theravada Ordination:

Modern women ordained under the Mahayana Dharmagupta tradition are not recognized as Theravada bhikkhunis.

Theravada Vinaya requires a dual sangha (both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis) for valid ordination, which does not exist today.

2. False Titles and Deception:

Some women falsely claim to be “Theravada bhikkhunis” despite lacking valid ordination and upasampada.

These women are not part of the Theravada sangha and remain laywomen or Dasa Sil Matha (10-precept nuns).

3. Rishihood Ordination is Not Sangha Membership

Some individuals adopt rishihood (self-ordination as a rishi/rishika).

Rishihood is not recognized as sangha membership in Theravada Buddhism.

The Role of Women in Theravada Buddhism:

Liberation Without Sangha Membership:

The Buddha taught that liberation (Nibbana) is possible for laypeople who uphold even the Five Precepts.

Women can achieve spiritual attainment without entering the sangha.

Upasika (Female Lay Devotees):

Women who follow 10 precepts and are ordained are called Dasa Sil Matha.

These women are female ascetics but are not bhikkhunis.

Respecting the Buddha’s Words:

The Tipitaka (Pali Canon) is the only pure and unaltered record of the Buddha’s teachings.

Mahayana Buddhism is a deviation from the original Dhamma.

Any ordination against the Vinaya Pitaka is invalid and does not confer sangha membership.

The Buddha’s omniscience and the arahant monks’ divine intelligence must be trusted.

Final Note: The modern push for Theravada bhikkhuni ordination is driven by privilege, not liberation. The true path to liberation does not require sangha membership.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q: Can women achieve liberation in Theravada Buddhism in this modern era?

A: Yes, women can achieve liberation as lay devotees (Upasika) or as Dasa Sil Matha (also Upasika but female ascetics) by following the Five (for lay devotees) or Ten Precepts.

Q: Why did the Buddha allow women’s ordination if it shortens the Dhamma’s lifespan?

A: The Buddha permitted it only after strict conditions (Ashta Garu Dhammas) to minimize harm to the Sangha.

Q: Are modern “Theravada bhikkhunis” real?

A: No, they lack valid Theravada ordination and are not recognized by the Tipitaka.

Q: What is the difference between a Dasa Sil Matha and a bhikkhuni?

A: Dasa Sil Matha are 10-precept nuns (Upasika but female ascetics), while to be a bhikkhuni require valid ordination and upasampada, which is currently impossible in Theravada.