What is Eight Garudhammas?

The Eight Garudhammas are additional precepts required of bhikkhunis above and beyond the monastic rule that applied to monks. Garu, literally means "heavy" and when applied to vinaya, it means "heavy offense that entails penance consisting of 2 weeks" as described in garudhamma rule No. 5. The authenticity of these rules is contested; they were supposedly added to the Vinaya "to allow more acceptance" of a monastic Order for women, during the Buddha's time. They are controversial because they attempt to push women into an inferior role and because many Buddhists, especially Bhikkhunis, have found evidence that the eight Garudhammas are not really the teachings of Gautama Buddha.