The Role of Women in Buddhism :: essays research papers

In examining the Buddhism religion, particurally the role of women in Buddhism, it was quite an clear that the religion of Buddhism is make outd very different from country tocountry. Buddhism is a philosophical system of life expounded by Gautama Buddha (Buddha means enlightenedone), who lived and taught in northern Inda in the 6th Century B.C. The Buddha was not a god and the philosophy of Buddhism does not entail any theistic world-view. The teachings of the Buddha are aimed solely to liberate sentient beings from suffering. Women have been a part of Buddhism since the Buddha archetypal made his enlightenmentknow in Northeast India in the 6th century BC. Looking back to the earliest roots,several nuns and laywomen were among the Buddhas ablest and wisest Diceples.The everyday role of women in many countries is quite different from that defined inBuddhist scriptures. Pure Buddhist ideology The Buddah originally banned women from monastic practice (nuns) but later reversedhis dec ision, allowing them to practice in seperate quarters. The Buddist scriptures sayvery little about women, treating them as equals. In one scripture, the Visuddhi Magga, a monk asked, Reverend Sir, have you seen awoman oral sex this way? And the elder said Was it a woman or a man that passed thisway? I cannot tell. But this I know, a set of clappers is travelling upon this road.Although this verse attempts to show the equality of women on the spiratual path, therewas, and still is... sexual stereotypes present in the culture of Buddhist communities. By contrast to such(prenominal) bigoted practices that hinder spiritual development, Buddhism can be claimedto be the least discriminatory in attitudes towards women. There is no doubt at all that theBuddha was the first religious teacher who gave women equal and unfettered opportunities in thefield of spiritual development. Although He had on several occasions pointed out the naturaltendencies and weaknesses of women in general, He als o gave due credit to their abilities andcapabilities. He truly paved the way for women to lead a full religious life. This implied that theywere equally able to develop and mitigate their minds and realize the bliss of Nibbana as well asmen. This fact is amply proven by the testimonies of the Theris (Nuns) during the Buddhas time. The teachings of the Buddha did a great deal to wipe off legion(predicate) superstitious beliefs andmeaningless rites and rituals - which also included sacrifices - from the minds of many people.