Quotes: “Like most clerical discourse, Buddhism is indeed relentlessly misogynist, but as far as misogynist discourses go, it is one of the most flexible and open to multiplicity and contradiction.” (CITE 79)
“Over the millennia, the overwhelming majority of Buddhist texts were produced by monks writing for other men, whether monks or noblemen. Buddhist women, if they were figured in these texts at all, did so only in subservient roles.” (CITE 83)
Questions:
While I read the text “Women and Religious Traditions,” I found myself confused at the contradicting views of women. On one hand, the Buddha wanted to have a woman learn and practice Buddhism but, on the other hand, women are still seen as inferior in other areas. What caused this riff …show more content…
I think that was why it was so hard for me to grasp the sexism in the monastic order or even in Buddha’s story. Through Buddha’s life story, women are seen as seductresses or simply for delivering children. In the quote I mentioned above, the author states that those writings were produced by men and not the true words of the Buddha. If that is the case, the way women were viewed in society at the time would come through the writings. Women and men were more equal in the beginning of Buddhism, which also shows that society might have had a lot of influence as the religion developed further. However, even if that is the case the monastic order for Buddhist nuns faces a lot of sexism. Throughout the reading, it because clear that they are seen as inferior to all other monks, which is upsetting because they know just as much as the monks. The only thing that should truly matter is if they are striving for enlightenment. The nuns monastic order receives less notice from the public and less support from the government than the monks monastic order. In many areas, women aren’t even allowed to be ordained into Buddhism. Even though the nuns face many discriminations they are still driving forces in change. They want to change and fight the sexism that is presented against them. There rights are increasing as time goes by and hopefully they will have equal rights to the monks
“Over the millennia, the overwhelming majority of Buddhist texts were produced by monks writing for other men, whether monks or noblemen. Buddhist women, if they were figured in these texts at all, did so only in subservient roles.” (CITE 83)
Questions:
While I read the text “Women and Religious Traditions,” I found myself confused at the contradicting views of women. On one hand, the Buddha wanted to have a woman learn and practice Buddhism but, on the other hand, women are still seen as inferior in other areas. What caused this riff …show more content…
I think that was why it was so hard for me to grasp the sexism in the monastic order or even in Buddha’s story. Through Buddha’s life story, women are seen as seductresses or simply for delivering children. In the quote I mentioned above, the author states that those writings were produced by men and not the true words of the Buddha. If that is the case, the way women were viewed in society at the time would come through the writings. Women and men were more equal in the beginning of Buddhism, which also shows that society might have had a lot of influence as the religion developed further. However, even if that is the case the monastic order for Buddhist nuns faces a lot of sexism. Throughout the reading, it because clear that they are seen as inferior to all other monks, which is upsetting because they know just as much as the monks. The only thing that should truly matter is if they are striving for enlightenment. The nuns monastic order receives less notice from the public and less support from the government than the monks monastic order. In many areas, women aren’t even allowed to be ordained into Buddhism. Even though the nuns face many discriminations they are still driving forces in change. They want to change and fight the sexism that is presented against them. There rights are increasing as time goes by and hopefully they will have equal rights to the monks