Buddhist Enlightenment For Women

Buddhist Enlightenment For Women

By:


Ananda, conversing with Buddha on Mahapajapatis behalf, inquired as to why he showed hesitation in admitting women into the sangha. Ananda asked, Do you feel women are inherently less capable of becoming enlightened?

No Ananda, Buddha replied. Womens potential for enlightenment is equal to men.

Having said that, in several Asian countries, it is believed that only men are able to attain enlightenment. In the more restricted areas, Buddhist women are able to only study Buddhism devoutly then pray that they're reborn as men thier next lifetime.

Laywomen

The following advice is given to laywomen in the Buddhist writings, Anguttara Nikaya:

Be good at your work, or what you do.

Work Work skillfully and diligently.

Handle domestic help adeptly (if relevant) and always treat them reasonably.

Perform household chores with efficiency.

Be hospitable to your in-laws and friends.

Be faithful to ones husband; protect and/or invest family earnings.

Be conscious and loving while handling your responsibilities.

Accomplish moral discipline (observe the five precepts).

Give with a glad heart and be joyful in charity.

Learn to be wise as well as recognize that nothing at all is forever.

The Bhikkuni Sangha

A bhikkuni is an ordained Buddhist nun.

Mahapajapati and her band of 500 royal women became the basis of the 1st bhikkuni order.

After the Emperor Ashoka sent his son to Sri Lanka to act as a Buddhist Missionary, 200 yrs. later, he became aware of a princess who expressed a desire to become a member of the joining the sangha. To make this happen though, both bhikkus and bhikkunis were needed. Additionally, it had been necessary for at least 5 bhikkunis be a part of the foundation of the order. To start the sangha, the Emperor Ashokas daughter, already a Buddhist nun, asked to be sent to Sri Lanka. When Ashokas daughter Sanghamitta arrived in Sri Lanka, hundreds of dedicated women joined as well. That was a major step forward for Buddhist Women, marking the establishment of the 1st Bhikkuni Sangha outside of India.

The Bhikkuni order had been thriving until the attack on their country during the year 1017. Additional Bhikkuni orders around the planet were established and flourished, only to meet their demise from war or takeover. For more than 1000 yrs., the Bhikkuni lineage continues to be broken in places such as Tibet, Thailand and various Asian countries. In 2007, Buddhist leaders of every tradition met in Germany at the International Congress on Buddhist Womens Role within the Sangha to re-establish the bhikkuni ordination. The Dalai Lama gave his complete support and the delegates unanimously voted to re-establish the Bhikkuni ordination. Regardless, the triviality of details has been holding up progress. The Dalai Lama once said that if Buddha had been present, he likely would agree, but because he isnt, he (the Dalai Lama) cannot act as Buddha.

So where does this leave Buddhist women today? Throughout most of the world, bhikkunis are still subservient to bhikkus. It is hard to say if the misogynistic quotes and stories really unfolded that way or were merely made up by men in a patriarchal system, but the stories affect individualss attitudes regardless. They are there for anyone to read, so whether or not the Buddha intended for men to have much more power, they do In more patriarchal (read: oppressive) countries, like Thailand, where bhkkuni ordination doesnt exist, nor is even acknowledged, that has been particularly relevant.

About the Author:
Tricia Stirling has written this course for the Universal Life Church Seminary. This is an excerpt of one lesson (of 30) from the Master of Buddhist Studies Course offered through the Universal Life Church Seminary. We have many courses available and each one carries with it an earned degree.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


Tags: , , , , , , ,

|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent Religion Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Site Navigation:

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.