the role of women Flashcards
when did the buddha allow women to become ordained?
he didn’t initially allow the ordination of women, but he was convinced that women should have the option live the monastic life too, after the buddhas step mother and gathering of female buddhists appeared outside to join the monastery
how can the eight conditions be sexist?
condition 1: bhikkus have precedence over bhikkunis
condition 2: bhikkus ca admonish bhikkunis but not vice versa
how else can the rules for women be sexist?
there are 4 extra parajikas for the nun which result in expulsion from the sangha, men do not have these punishments
what are the four extra parajikas?
1: sexual touching of any kind
2: consenting to a mans lustful approach
3: withholding knowledge of another who has fallen into defeat
4: failing to reform three times after being suspended
how can the sangha be defended from being sexist?
- the context in which the rules were written as the first bhikkus lived in the forest
- the buddha wrote the rules as they were needed
- the first rules soley concerned monks as there were no nuns, rules were added after women joined
- some argue that giving women more rules, gave an extra opportunity to prove themselves
what are the teachings that women can’t reach enlightenment?
- some early buddhists doubted the ability of women to reach enlightenment, as they are expected to care for children
- in hindu society the idea of holy women didnt even make sense, as women were of a lower rebirth.
what teachings are there that women can reach enlightenment?
there are stories of female arhats in the Pali canon, including the buddhas wife, and the buddha agreed to ordain women because he agreed thye can reach enlightenment
what is the story of the dragons kings daughter?
a conversation between bodhisattva manjushura, shariputra and the dragons kings daughter. the bodhisattva of wisdom says the daughter doubts she will reach enlightenment because she is female and must become a man first
what does the story of the dragon king show?
that a woman cannot attain enlightenment without becoming a man first, which is shown is stories of kshitigarba, who became a man before becoming bodhisattva
what are the interpretations that women can become bodhisattvas?
nichiren suggests that if you embrace the lotus sutra you can attain supreme awakening, regardless of age and gender
who is Thubten Chodren?
established the first Tibetan monastery for nuns in the USA and is abess
how does Thubten Chodren respond to sexism?
she accepts there is discrimination in buddhism and there are few female role models.
she tries to remember that sexism is dukkha and can be overcome by changing state of mind, having more precepts gives her more opportunity for mindfulness
who is Rita gross?
she argues that buddhism is inherently feminist, due to commitment to reduce all suffering and compassion for living beings
how does Rita gross respond to sexism?
she argues buddhism should promote feminism, as gender is part of the illusion of the self, so it must be an illusion
rather than ignoring or rising above gender, buddhism should “rigorously deconstruct gender”
what are the arguments that buddhism is sexist?
- the vinaya is sexist. more rules for women and are stricter, some of the rules uphold sexist values, such as monks being senior to nuns
- some buddhists have sexist views about women reaching enlightenment, some Theravada think its harder for women as the distractions of motherhood
