The present book deals with the status of women in Indian society from ancient days till the decline and revival of the Bhikkuni Samgha in and after the Buddhist period. It throws light on the importance of the position of women in various fields like family life, social life and work situation. It explores this issue from the Theravada Buddhist perspective using the Scriptures as well as recent work by Western scholars conceding that there are deep seated patriarchal and even misogynistic elements reflected in the ambivalence towards women in the Pali Canon and bias in the socio-cultural and institutionalized practices that persist to date in the Theravada Buddhist countries.