In the religion of Buddhism, there are stories that range from life lessons to the way the Buddha achieved the “Middle Way.” Although the stories differ in the lessons and plot, they all share the same gendered protagonist who obtains enlightenment- a male. The males play the key role in the stories as they are the ones who search for enlightenment, leave their old ways and life behind, and achieve liberation from saṃsāra ( ).Women who practice Buddhism are not perceived as the great Buddha or great being who obtained enlightenment, instead, women are perceived as an evil sex who tries to deter a man from achieving Buddhism and act as a nuisance to man (Strong 63). Women lack agency in Buddhism as they subject their life to a Buddha or monk,
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In this case, an agency is the women’s ability to “act or exert power” in her own life, and ultimately to have a say in matters (Oxford English Dictionary). The agency I am referring to is one that is not shown in the nun community or in the eight rules for nuns. Women’s lack of agency defines a female, as they do not have a say or voice about what she can do or practice, instead must be given permission by a dominant male figure or any male figure (Strong 63 and 67 ). The lack of agency women had in Buddhism is depicted in the story of Mahaprajapati Gautami. From the reading, “The Experience of the Buddha” written by John S. Strong depicts the lack of agency or say women had in practicing Buddhism (Strong 63-66). The title of the text, "The Acceptance of Women into the Order,” alone demonstrates the lack of say women had in Buddhism, as they had to be "accepted" into Buddhism (Strong 66). Women had to be admitted by man, as they had to receive consent to undertake a religion (Strong 63-67). Thus, it was man’s last judgment that rewarded allowance for women to step out of their socially constructed realm of an obedient wife or house servant (Strong 63-67). In this case, it was "The Blessed One" who had to give consent to his aunt, caretaker, and foster mom, Mahaprajapati Gautami to practice Buddhism (Strong
In this case, an agency is the women’s ability to “act or exert power” in her own life, and ultimately to have a say in matters (Oxford English Dictionary). The agency I am referring to is one that is not shown in the nun community or in the eight rules for nuns. Women’s lack of agency defines a female, as they do not have a say or voice about what she can do or practice, instead must be given permission by a dominant male figure or any male figure (Strong 63 and 67 ). The lack of agency women had in Buddhism is depicted in the story of Mahaprajapati Gautami. From the reading, “The Experience of the Buddha” written by John S. Strong depicts the lack of agency or say women had in practicing Buddhism (Strong 63-66). The title of the text, "The Acceptance of Women into the Order,” alone demonstrates the lack of say women had in Buddhism, as they had to be "accepted" into Buddhism (Strong 66). Women had to be admitted by man, as they had to receive consent to undertake a religion (Strong 63-67). Thus, it was man’s last judgment that rewarded allowance for women to step out of their socially constructed realm of an obedient wife or house servant (Strong 63-67). In this case, it was "The Blessed One" who had to give consent to his aunt, caretaker, and foster mom, Mahaprajapati Gautami to practice Buddhism (Strong