Ani (nun)

Ani is a prefix added to the name of a nun in Tibetan Buddhism. Thus, for example, the full title of a nun whose name is "Pema" becomes "Ani Pema" (akin to, for example, "Sister Anne" among Catholic nuns)

In Tibetan, the word "ani" also translates as aunt, which has special significance in Buddhism as the Buddha's aunt, Mahaprajapati, is said to have been the first Buddhist nun.

Concern over the status implied by the term Ani is said to have led some Vajrayana Buddhist nuns in India to prefer the prefix "Cho-la" (a Buddhist practitioner) or "Tsun-ma" (reverend lady) (see reference below).

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/mar-aar/abstracts3.html "Ani": Aunts, Nieces, and Himalayan Nuns’ Traditional Education in North Indian Vajrayana Buddhism" Linda LaMacchia, American University, Washington, DC March 2006] .