When the Buddha’s father, King Suddhodana died, the Buddha’s step mother, Lady Prajapati Gotami felt very sad. She and several other female members of the court of the King decided to leave the worldly life and practice the Dharma with her step-son, the Buddha, and the monks. So, she led the group of noble women to see the Buddha. She asked to become a female monastic, a Bhikkhuni. The Budhha didi not want to see his step-mother traveling barefoot with only a bowl and a few robes. He did not want to inconvenience the noble women.