Gender in Buddhism
- Created by: lw052158
- Created on: 30-10-19 14:49
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- Buddhism and Gender
- 1. Views of women in the schools of buddhism
- Siddhartha originally said that both men AND women could reach enlightenment
- But for women to become a female monk (Bhikkuhni) They must follow the extra eight Garudharmas
- Theravbada normally very equal - only fully fledged Bhikkuni can ordain a new one
- However this caused issues as after the 13th century Bhikkuni died out so no new ones can be ordained.
- However in Mahyana buddhims this is not an issue as Bkksuni (female nun) can be orrdained as normal.
- but it is still very sexist in both schools - no matter how advanced a female monk is they must always be subservient to male monk.
- Dragon Kings Daughter - from Lotus sutra - refuses idea that a woman can become enlightened - but this story may ne altered - as apart from her changing - the story pushes Bodhisattva practice can achieve enlightenment for women
- Siddhartha originally said that both men AND women could reach enlightenment
- 2. Reasons for these differing ideas
- Buddhism is product of traditional Asian society - women were subservient to men - This has therefore influenced ideology and practice.
- In India it was inferior to be a women than a man
- Philosophically texts gender lacks inherent reality - philosophical levels accepts equality but in practice, ritual and society this is not the case.
- Bernard Faure - 'Buddhism is indeed relentlessly misogynist - but it is one of the most flexible and open to contradiction'
- Sakyadhita (daughters of the Buddha) aim was to work together to benefit Buddhist women, to reduce gender injustice, and awaken women to their potential for awakening the world
- Buddhism is product of traditional Asian society - women were subservient to men - This has therefore influenced ideology and practice.
- 3. Issue of Female monasticism
- Theravada - head female monks went missing in Thailand meaning no new female monks can be ordained
- Mahayana - women have more 8 garudhammas on top of the mens 227 rules as well
- howveer these 8 Muhammadans are an alleged convo between buddha and anada - but written later as buddha disregarded caste system and always states themm as equals.
- The eight rules how they cannot scold a Bhikku and always be respectful
- japans Views
- Buddhism came around the 6th century
- over 90 million count themselves as buddhists in japan
- 1175 Pure land arose and 1191 zen arose
- after WW2 righst changed, but before women were the housewives and mothers and not to work
- Tokyo medical uni owned uo to changign exam results to stop amount of women to get in
- thehy have little direct awarness on the matter - a lot of views from india were carried over to japan - such as three obedince - similar to jaoans orginal three submissions of a women
- in 1872 - goverment issued an edict on any remaioning practise of female exclusion shall eb aboloshed
- 1. Views of women in the schools of buddhism
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