The Roles of Upāsikā Devotee in improvement of Buddhism

Abstract

This article aims to study the roles of Upasika (Lay Woman) in improvement of  Buddhism during the Buddha's time and to study the present Upasika's roles in improvement of Buddhism. It was mainly utilised  source of data from the Tipitaka and the related data from  commentaries and other documents.

The result was found that : The term 'Upasika' is represented a woman who sits near the Triple Gem. The Buddha said that she carry out a role to bear the burden of Buddhism and develop herself according to religious principles along with monks, nuns, and upasakas and upasikas. Although there are many physical limitations, but they able to take responsibility and work in Buddhism very well. The role of women in Buddhism is definitively established. Especially in terms of being an offering, remain a meditation practioner and propagating the Buddha Teachings, etc. Every time there is an offering, there is always a practice of Dhamma. It is accurate that women as lay devotees have effectively contributed to the development of Buddhism from the time of the Buddha to the present day. Since Buddhism is open to women in general, women of all castes are equal. They were  also the  models for the new generation of Lay Women  with thier being full of knowledge and conduct.