Woman's Role in Buddhism

Woman's Role in Buddhism

Introduction

In the 19th century, America opened their doors to Buddhism. The dharma (teaching) transmission has included women as teachers, nuns, activists, artists, academics, lay people, and students. According to Dr. Queen from Harvard University, there are a list of traits that emerge in American Buddhism. He suggests that the women's role in Buddhism is wide ranging according to their personalities. In the discussion, the roles of women are examined through a discussion with Lori Meeks regarding Traditional Buddhism. Then, modern, American Buddhism is examined according to social activity in terms of interfaith dialogue, political activism, race relations, and prison ministry (Queen 2004).

Interview with Lori Meeks

According to famous Buddhist, Lori Meeks, the role of Buddhist women is multi-dimensional and complex. She used the word androcentric (not misogynistic) since she believes that Buddhism is not a hater of women. Instead, it focuses on the centralization of men. Meeks states that there are usually 3 aspects that scholars discuss when talking about Buddhism and the role of women: Henjo Nanshi, the five hindrances, and the thrice following. Henjo Nanshi is where a transformation occurs in which female individuals are converted into males. This belief focuses on the fact that Buddha is not gained in a woman's body, but the woman needs to change and adapt through dedicate efforts to become a male Buddha. The three obedience or Thrice following is a state that women need to submit and obey the male form throughout any aspect of their life. The three categories include the woman obeying her father, her husband, and her son. The 5 hindrances is the notion that there is an existence of 5 ranks (Chakras) in which the female body cannot attain the Buddhist cosmos (Alfano 2011).

Meeks continues to discuss how women are looked at in Buddhism. She states that women are seen in a trio manner: mothers, temptresses, and potential men. Eison suggests that the multitude of weakness encountered by a priest is based on the women's weakness. He stated this comment not in a sexist manner but rather to keep all the male counterpart devout on the priest's path. Women were recognized as mother role models with compassion. He continued that the priest's role was to assist mother's salvation. All the male priests were given the responsibility of the salvation of women. This elaborates on the fact that the male gender is the savior while the female gender is to be supported and cared for. These illustrations developed the ideal of how female were considered inferior to the male and signified to women that they need to overcome their sins. The solution was that with discipline and faith, the female body could overcome her sins and transform into a man. That was the traditional view of women which was of being latent men (Alfano 2011).

Interfaith Dialogue

Dialogue of interfaith has gain importance in terms of American Buddhism. The Turning Wheel of summer 2006 was entirely focused on action and dialogue regarding Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and ...