The final part of the Hinduism chapter discussed the topics about gender roles, health etiquettes, path to salvation, religious living, and the afterlife. The discussion on gender roles was most intriguing to me and it provided some insight about how women were treated in the ancient world. According to Bilhartz, Hinduism emphasizes a nondualistic reality, where "opposites are mere illusions; true reality is indivisible; ultimately everything ( male/female, creator/creature; human/divine) is One" (2006, p. 186). Within Hinduism exists multiple gods that may take masculine or feminine forms, but beyond these gods is the Absolute Reality that has a male-female transcendent quality. Although the central idea of Hinduism is nonduality, the Hindu scriptures did not build upon this theological insight and
…show more content…
According to the law, men were considered committing adultery when they are addressing another man's wife in secret, offering presents to a woman, or when sitting next to a woman on a bed (Bilhartz, 2006, p. 187). This is different from the modern society where a man committing these acts is not necessarily considered committing adultery.
The Law of Manu continues to describe the duties of women and how they are to honor and obey the male figures of the household. Women were also prohibited from being independent in all stages of her life. The woman in her childhood is protected by her father, then the husband protects the woman in her youth, and finally her sons protect her in when she is old (Bilhartz, 2006, p. 188). Although the women were subjugated to men, the Law of Manu states that women should be honored by all the male figures in the household, for doing so pleases the gods. If a woman was mistreated, a curse would be placed upon the household where she dwells (Bilhartz, 2006, p. 189). I thought it was interesting that the law placed safeguards for women to prevent men from abusing their authority over
According to the law, men were considered committing adultery when they are addressing another man's wife in secret, offering presents to a woman, or when sitting next to a woman on a bed (Bilhartz, 2006, p. 187). This is different from the modern society where a man committing these acts is not necessarily considered committing adultery.
The Law of Manu continues to describe the duties of women and how they are to honor and obey the male figures of the household. Women were also prohibited from being independent in all stages of her life. The woman in her childhood is protected by her father, then the husband protects the woman in her youth, and finally her sons protect her in when she is old (Bilhartz, 2006, p. 188). Although the women were subjugated to men, the Law of Manu states that women should be honored by all the male figures in the household, for doing so pleases the gods. If a woman was mistreated, a curse would be placed upon the household where she dwells (Bilhartz, 2006, p. 189). I thought it was interesting that the law placed safeguards for women to prevent men from abusing their authority over