000-reduc | refer-youth
bold = Main text
Text grey = Comment text
1 2 | third century B.C.E., 96,000 bhikkhunis once gathered
2 2(4)| York Press, 1992), pp. 9-10. ~
3 3 | were finally defeated in 1070, the new government worked
4 2(7)| Publications, Inc., 1987), p. 12. ~
5 2 | happened in approximately 250 B.C.E. ~
6 3 | there were approximately 2500 such women in Sri Lanka. ~
7 1 | northern India at approximately 500 BCE. Women seem to have
8 2 | Anguttara-Nikaya (vi, 5, III, 56), monks are warned: ~ ~"
9 1(2)| Samyutta Nikaya; I.5.6, quoted in Alan Sponberg, "
10 1(1)| New York Press, 1985), p. 61. ~
11 2(6)| New York Press, 1985), p. 65. ~
12 3(8)| Lanka," Dialogue 11 (1984): 67.~
13 2(3)| Paragon House, 1987), p. 82. ~
14 2 | the third century B.C.E., 96,000 bhikkhunis once gathered
15 2 | the order. Often, husbands abandoned their wives and children
16 3 | instruction. However, they have to abase themselves before monks
17 2 | Monastic Buddhism had to be acceptable to lay society, because
18 2 | order to increase societal acceptance of the monastic orders. ~
19 2 | problems society would have in accepting an independent order of
20 2 | These women were often accomplished speakers who led many other
21 2 | position was completely in accord with the Buddha's teaching
22 | According
23 2 | feel that the story is an accurate representation of what actually
24 2 | group of women which were acknowledged to be equal with or superior
25 | across
26 2 | bhikkhus especially to mitigate action against the bhikkhunis.
27 3 | reap the benefit of the actual practice. These women tend
28 | actually
29 3 | practice. Other women are acutely aware of the sexism and
30 1 | Buddhism which need slight adaptation in order to be accepted
31 2 | ordain the women, although he admits that women who live the
32 1 | interested in this issue. While admittedly it may have little bearing
33 3 | outcome of the peculiar admixture of American independence
34 3 | whom they feel are more advanced than they are, themselves.
35 1 | right to refuse the sexual advances of their masters. If the
36 1 | people. There were both advantages and disadvantages to the
37 3 | this unfortunate state of affairs. I do not know how much
38 1 | his parents, and her old age serving and obeying her
39 2 | women. ~All commentators agree that what was new and important
40 2 | edited by monks, it still allows us a glimpse of the early
41 | almost
42 | alone
43 | along
44 3 | less foreign to typical lay Americans. From the perspective of
45 2 | the Buddha's teaching of anatman, or no-self. This teaching
46 2 | philosophy. For example, in the Anguttara-Nikaya (vi, 5, III, 56), monks
47 2(3)| quoted in Anne Bancroft, "Women in Buddhism,"
48 | another
49 2 | of bhikkhus there. Queen Anula and her maidens heard him
50 | anywhere
51 3 | people's eyes they would appear to be bhikkhunis. They shave
52 3 | century a group of women had appeared in Sri Lanka who had renounced
53 1 | most problematic is the area of gender. In most Asian
54 1 | Western society. One of the areas of traditional Buddhism
55 2 | recent commentators have argued that this incident never
56 3 | makes them bhikkhunis. This argument, however, is not accepted
57 2 | made sense to them, and aroused in them a desire for liberation.
58 2 | the Buddha had gone. They arrive at the Buddha's door crying,
59 1 | the Quarter whither thou art bound. Thy Chariot is the '
60 1 | potential of women. When asked by Ananda (his closest disciple)
61 1 | culture. There are many aspects of traditional Buddhism
62 1 | after the servants. Women ate only what was left after
63 3 | their level of religious attainment. Western women are not brought
64 3 | Sri Lanka is making some attempt to rectify this unfortunate
65 2 | transcend this illusory attribute. ~The greatest source of
66 2 | permanent nature. All human attributes are in a constant state
67 3 | their original spiritual autonomy and freedom to pursue enlightenment. ~
68 | away
69 1 | educated and socially liberal backgrounds, which means that they tend
70 2 | usually willing to bend over backwards to promote the growth and
71 2(3)| quoted in Anne Bancroft, "Women in Buddhism," in
72 2 | shave their heads, and walk barefoot to Vesali, where the Buddha
73 2 | could do so by following basically the same path as men. Certain
74 1 | India at approximately 500 BCE. Women seem to have held
75 1 | Women were supposed to bear children for their husbands.
76 1 | admittedly it may have little bearing upon men's practice on Buddhism,
77 1 | in which slave women were beaten so regularly and heartlessly
78 2 | deeper understanding. His belief that women could become
79 2 | who is usually willing to bend over backwards to promote
80 3 | so that they can reap the benefit of the actual practice.
81 2 | ten bhikkhus to ordain a bhikkhu, and both ten bhikkhus and
82 2 | husband. I am free from birth and death and all that dragged
83 2 | vilifying women. It placed the blame for monks' feelings of lust
84 1 | Wives cooked, cleaned, bore and raised children, and
85 1 | Quarter whither thou art bound. Thy Chariot is the 'Silent
86 2 | monasteries, material for robes, bowls, food, medicine, and so
87 3 | attainment. Western women are not brought up to humble themselves
88 1 | were helpmates at best and burdens at worst, but always they
89 2 | bhikkhunis. These rules call for gestures of submission
90 1 | is the name that Road is called, and 'Free From Fear' the
91 2 | bhikkhuni in India. She came, with eleven other bhikkhunis,
92 1 | Buddha said that women are capable of becoming arhats. If women
93 1 | doth wait, by that same car into Nirvana's presence
94 2 | interaction with lay women could cause quite a problem. The lay
95 1 | Western and Asian Buddhists causes a certain amount of tension. ~
96 2 | bhikkhus were supposed to be celibate, this constant interaction
97 3 | in temples or meditation centers. These women are usually
98 3 | participating in Buddhist ceremonies. However, both the DSM and
99 3 | lay women's support has certainly been useful for the continuance
100 1 | expression of Buddhism has changed to suit the culture of the
101 1 | the point of being mere chattel. ~There were, of course,
102 3 | cloister of bhikkhus. The chief monk of the complex explains
103 3 | prosper. Thus, the two primary choices offered to female Buddhists
104 2 | forbidden to do household chores. They had only to work for
105 1 | had to marry the husband chosen for them by their parents,
106 2 | was given credence by the circumstances surrounding many monks'
107 3 | walled interiors of major cities, where they could (theoretically)
108 1 | being inferior, second class citizens." 1~Women seldom were allowed
109 2 | several centuries. It is claimed that in the third century
110 1 | as being inferior, second class citizens." 1~Women seldom
111 1 | his parents. Wives cooked, cleaned, bore and raised children,
112 1 | enough to develop into a clear new form, suitable for Western
113 3(8)| Cleophas Thamel, "The Religious Woman
114 1 | When asked by Ananda (his closest disciple) the Buddha said
115 3 | provision for obtaining clothing and material for their robes,
116 3 | their heads and wear saffron colored robes, just as the bhikkhunis
117 3 | meditation, but they sometimes combine Theravada meditation with
118 1 | their masters that they committed suicide. ~In all their roles,
119 2 | part, they ran their own community and made their own decisions.
120 2 | That place no woman is competent to gain."3 ~" Soma replied:
121 2 | when she by insight rightly comprehends the Dharma?" 4~Soma clearly
122 2 | enlightenment within the confines of their society. These
123 2 | hesitant and gloomy when confronted with the opportunity to
124 3 | eleventh century, Sri Lanka was conquered by the Colas of southern
125 1 | Righteous Effort fitted well. Conscience the Leaning-board; the Drapery
126 3 | to help support the DSM. Consequently, the DSM are poverty stricken.
127 2 | mansions, money with which to construct monasteries, material for
128 2 | positions. Soma, a bhikkhuni and contemporary of the Buddha, was taunted
129 3 | certainly been useful for the continuance of institutional Buddhism,
130 3 | meditation and the dharma. They continue to follow the basic Buddhist
131 3 | nuns were probably largely controlled by the edicts of the monarchy,
132 2 | from India to Sri Lanka to convert the inhabitants to Buddhism.
133 2 | sect. Many women who were converted to Buddhism did not join
134 2 | preached to many people, converting many. He started an order
135 2 | The Buddha acted upon his conviction that women and men could
136 1 | husband and his parents. Wives cooked, cleaned, bore and raised
137 2 | s reluctance is possibly correct. The scriptures were not
138 1 | States (or any other Western country) long enough to develop
139 1 | chattel. ~There were, of course, some women who were courtesans
140 1 | disadvantages to the life of a courtesan. Courtesans often learned
141 2 | point of view was given credence by the circumstances surrounding
142 2 | time for small changes to creep into the stories. ~Other
143 2 | arrive at the Buddha's door crying, with swollen feet. Ananda
144 1 | order to understand the current situation, it is necessary
145 1 | learned to play music and to dance. They were relatively independent,
146 3(8)| Society: The Case of the Dasa-Sil Maniyo in Sri Lanka," Dialogue
147 3 | women are referred to as "Dasa-Sil-Maniyo," (DSM) or mothers of the
148 1 | However, for the most part, daughters could be married off at
149 1 | of them worked hard all day, everyday. They could not
150 2 | death, the society could not deal with the existence of a
151 1 | practice of Buddhism. I decided to use the opportunity this
152 2 | place the nuns in a position decidedly subordinate to the monks.
153 3 | that the bhikkhunis were declared wards of the king, and their
154 2 | both women and men to a deeper understanding. His belief
155 3 | When the Colas were finally defeated in 1070, the new government
156 2 | and a target for lust. In defense against their own lustful
157 2 | Buddhists. Although we cannot definitively say that Buddhism would
158 3 | try to use the humbleness demanded of them as a practice, but
159 1 | perfect woman to marry, and demanding that she be made available
160 2 | them, and aroused in them a desire for liberation. Other women,
161 3 | southern India. The Colas destroyed all the monasteries and
162 3 | life, and not about the details of ordination, so it is
163 2 | Ananda is moved by their determination and sincerity, and pleads
164 1 | country) long enough to develop into a clear new form, suitable
165 2 | tendencies, the bhikkhus developed a misogynistic philosophy.
166 3(8)| Dasa-Sil Maniyo in Sri Lanka," Dialogue 11 (1984): 67.~
167 2 | when their other relatives died. Some very poor women joined
168 1 | opportunities in all endeavors. This difference of opinion between Western
169 3 | ordination has made life difficult for the DSM. Traditionally,
170 3 | ordained. They often have difficulties similar to the DSM in Sri
171 2 | bhikkhunis, but in no way diminish the bhikkhunis' ability
172 1 | were both advantages and disadvantages to the life of a courtesan.
173 3 | Buddhism had pretty much disappeared in India by this time.)
174 1 | asked by Ananda (his closest disciple) the Buddha said that women
175 1 | could be married off at the discretion of their fathers. ~Once
176 2 | security. Courtesans who were disgusted with their lives of sex
177 1 | eating. If a husband was displeased with his wife, he could
178 3 | basic Buddhist precepts, but disregard all traditional limitations
179 3 | dissolving boundaries. They dissolve the boundaries between various
180 1 | throw her out of the house. Divorce could be initiated by the
181 3 | and have a place to live. Doing paid work is against the
182 | done
183 2 | They arrive at the Buddha's door crying, with swollen feet.
184 2 | case, Buddha opened the doors for women's entrance to
185 1 | for whom Such a chariot doth wait, by that same car into
186 2 | becoming arhats. There are dozens of instances of female arhats
187 2 | birth and death and all that dragged me back".5~Bhikkhunis were
188 1 | Conscience the Leaning-board; the Drapery Is Heedfulness; the Driver
189 1 | Drapery Is Heedfulness; the Driver is the Dharma, I say, and
190 3 | performing other social duties. It seems unlikely that
191 3 | majority have no proper dwellings, no means of subsistence,
192 2 | singing, weeping, stricken, or dying, a woman will stop to ensnare
193 | each
194 1 | relatively independent, and could earn their own living. They had
195 1 | one protecting them, they easily fell victim to robbers and
196 1 | its history, slowly moved east, from India through China,
197 1 | after the men had finished eating. If a husband was displeased
198 3 | largely controlled by the edicts of the monarchy, and spent
199 1 | tend to come from highly educated and socially liberal backgrounds,
200 2 | not always validate the efforts of women to practice a life
201 1 | the scriptures, the Buddha elaborates on this idea, while using
202 2 | in India. She came, with eleven other bhikkhunis, and started
203 3 | pursue enlightenment. ~In the eleventh century, Sri Lanka was conquered
204 1 | also mentions occasional elopements, without the permission
205 | else
206 | Elsewhere
207 3 | merely a custom, begun to encourage institutional stability.
208 1 | equal opportunities in all endeavors. This difference of opinion
209 1 | they can become completely enlightened, just as men can. Elsewhere
210 1 | the potential to have an enormous effect upon my practice
211 3 | traditions tend to rankle enormously. There are a few women who
212 2 | quoted passage, the Buddha is entreated by his step-mother to ordain
213 2 | were made on the social equality of bhikkhus and bhikkhunis,
214 3 | dharma in their own language, eschewing the traditional explanations
215 2 | subordinance to the bhikkhus especially to mitigate action against
216 2 | life can attain arhatship. Eventually, Ananda changes the Buddha'
217 | every
218 1 | them worked hard all day, everyday. They could not marry without
219 2 | Jambudipa. This is probably an exaggeration, but the order was clearly
220 1 | this paper presented me to examine the role of women in Theravada
221 1 | thought I would start by examining the role of women in early
222 2 | could not deal with the existence of a group of women which
223 3 | chief monk of the complex explains the claim that the women
224 2 | justify the change. This explanation of the story of the Buddha'
225 3 | eschewing the traditional explanations in favor of language less
226 1 | States. With each move, the expression of Buddhism has changed
227 3 | These women, after receiving extensive training in Theravada Buddhist
228 3 | used to. To most people's eyes they would appear to be
229 3 | cannot help but mind the fact that this humbleness is
230 3 | Sri Lanka propagated the faith and also seem to have worked
231 1 | the discretion of their fathers. ~Once married, women were
232 3 | traditional explanations in favor of language less foreign
233 1 | is called, and 'Free From Fear' the Quarter whither thou
234 3 | American Buddhism, I have a feeling that the most important
235 2 | placed the blame for monks' feelings of lust on the women instead
236 2 | door crying, with swollen feet. Ananda is moved by their
237 1 | protecting them, they easily fell victim to robbers and murderers. ~
238 1 | teachers are all male, while females are given less prestigious
239 2 | Soma clearly felt that her femininity was no obstacle to her enlightenment.
240 3 | as nurses. In the early fifth century C. E., Sri Lankan
241 3 | nuns. When the Colas were finally defeated in 1070, the new
242 3 | These women are usually more financially secure and have regular
243 1 | was left after the men had finished eating. If a husband was
244 2 | consciousness is taut and firmly set, When knowledge rolleth
245 1 | Wheels of Righteous Effort fitted well. Conscience the Leaning-board;
246 2 | states that people have no fixed or permanent nature. All
247 2 | to monastic life. Women flocked by the thousand to join
248 2 | Buddha's death? The order flourished for several centuries. It
249 2 | that women could do so by following basically the same path
250 2 | They were specifically forbidden to do household chores.
251 1 | Vaisali, there was a law forbidding a perfect woman to marry,
252 3 | in favor of language less foreign to typical lay Americans.
253 2 | food, medicine, and so forth. Historical studies have
254 1 | husbands. If no children were forthcoming, the husband would often
255 | found
256 2 | were not written down until four hundred years after the
257 2 | support for reducing the freedoms allowed to bhikkhunis. ~
258 3 | been similarly useful in freeing women to attain nirvana. ~
259 3 | time, there has been no fully ordained order of Theravada
260 3 | probably point the way to the future of American Buddhist practice.
261 2 | a number of these women gained some level of enlightenment,
262 2 | 96,000 bhikkhunis once gathered in Jambudipa. This is probably
263 1 | problematic is the area of gender. In most Asian Buddhist
264 2 | society. These commentators generally explain the Buddha's statement
265 2 | bhikkhunis. These rules call for gestures of submission on the part
266 1 | in which husbands would give their wives away to other
267 2 | level, most of the daily giving of food to the bhikkhus
268 2 | monks, it still allows us a glimpse of the early bhikkhunis'
269 2 | suddenly so hesitant and gloomy when confronted with the
270 2 | Monks, a woman, even when going along, will stop to ensnare
271 2 | Vesali, where the Buddha had gone. They arrive at the Buddha'
272 2 | way and most of the rules governing them were identical. The
273 2 | illusory attribute. ~The greatest source of women's voices
274 2 | financial support and a greatly reduced status in society,
275 1 | society in which the Buddha grew up and taught. Into this
276 1 | serving and obeying her grown children. Women usually
277 2 | backwards to promote the growth and enlightenment of every
278 2 | both men and women) for half the length of time (five
279 2 | Queen Anula and her maidens heard him and were impressed by
280 1 | beaten so regularly and heartlessly by their masters that they
281 1 | Leaning-board; the Drapery Is Heedfulness; the Driver is the Dharma,
282 1 | BCE. Women seem to have held an extremely subordinate
283 1 | Willis says, ~"They were helpmates at best and burdens at worst,
284 2 | every person, suddenly so hesitant and gloomy when confronted
285 3 | least, I hope so. I have high hopes for the ultimate outcome
286 1 | Buddhists tend to come from highly educated and socially liberal
287 | him
288 1 | Buddhism has, throughout its history, slowly moved east, from
289 3 | be preserved. At least, I hope so. I have high hopes for
290 3 | I hope so. I have high hopes for the ultimate outcome
291 2 | specifically forbidden to do household chores. They had only to
292 2 | or permanent nature. All human attributes are in a constant
293 3 | women are not brought up to humble themselves before men, so
294 2 | monks. These misogynistic ideas also provided support for
295 2 | rules governing them were identical. The Buddha also preached
296 3 | Theravadans to be worthy of the identification. ~Yet I suspect that these
297 3 | of the sexism and try to ignore it so that they can reap
298 2 | II~ ~The Buddha acted upon
299 2 | simply need to transcend this illusory attribute. ~The greatest
300 1 | this idea, while using the imagery of a chariot to explain
301 1 | sects of Buddhism being imported to the United States. In
302 2 | maidens heard him and were impressed by his wisdom. They wanted
303 3 | opportunity is given them to improve their understanding of the
304 2 | commentators have argued that this incident never really happened, but
305 3 | Theravada Buddhism being incorporated into the lives of female
306 2 | probably made in order to increase societal acceptance of the
307 1 | they were viewed as being inferior, second class citizens." 1~
308 2 | Sri Lanka to convert the inhabitants to Buddhism. He preached
309 2 | state of change, and are not inherently real. If we see something
310 1 | house. Divorce could be initiated by the husband, but not
311 2 | rolleth ever on, when she by insight rightly comprehends the
312 3 | the people of Sri Lanka insist that the DSM are not bhikkhunis,
313 2 | nuns. However, the Buddha insists that they take upon themselves
314 | instead
315 2 | with the opportunity to institutionalize a path towards enlightenment
316 1 | I am naturally extremely interested in this issue. While admittedly
317 3 | were kept within the walled interiors of major cities, where they
318 3 | are a few women who are so involved with the meditation practice
319 1 | extremely interested in this issue. While admittedly it may
320 2 | bhikkhunis once gathered in Jambudipa. This is probably an exaggeration,
321 1 | Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Japan. Most recently, it has begun
322 3 | to resort to taking paid jobs just so they can eat and
323 1 | recently, it has begun its jump across the ocean to the
324 3 | the lay life and vowed to keep the ten precepts (the most
325 3 | and their monasteries were kept within the walled interiors
326 3 | all the monasteries and killed the monks and nuns. When
327 2 | taut and firmly set, When knowledge rolleth ever on, when she
328 1 | Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Japan. Most recently, it
329 3 | accepted as valid by most Sri Lankans. This order of modern bhikkhunis
330 3 | The nuns were probably largely controlled by the edicts
331 2 | teachings, which would have lasted a thousand years, will only
332 | later
333 2 | sitting or lying down, laughing, talking or singing, weeping,
334 1 | in Vaisali, there was a law forbidding a perfect woman
335 3 | marginalized quasi-monastic lay-nun. ~And what of the West?
336 1 | Buddhist traditions, the leaders and teachers are all male,
337 3 | taught that the same path leads women and men to enlightenment,
338 1 | fitted well. Conscience the Leaning-board; the Drapery Is Heedfulness;
339 2 | anyone who was willing to learn. He put himself out of his
340 1 | courtesan. Courtesans often learned to play music and to dance.
341 2 | accomplished speakers who led many other women to liberation.
342 2 | and women) for half the length of time (five hundred rather
343 | let
344 1 | can women reach the same levels of enlightenment as can
345 1 | highly educated and socially liberal backgrounds, which means
346 | likely
347 3 | pursue nirvana only in the limited ways permitted by traditional
348 2 | institutional Buddhism more in line with societally accepted
349 1 | of several suitors. The literature also mentions occasional
350 1 | any other Western country) long enough to develop into a
351 2 | any one and did not have look after anyone's physical
352 1 | and raised children, and looked after the servants. Women
353 2 | If we see something that looks real, like "women's nature,"
354 2 | various rules were made to lower the status of the bhikkhunis,
355 1 | murderers. ~Many women were lower-class servants or slaves. These
356 1 | to other men. Women were lowered nearly to the point of being
357 2 | defense against their own lustful tendencies, the bhikkhus
358 2 | whether standing, sitting or lying down, laughing, talking
359 2 | there. Queen Anula and her maidens heard him and were impressed
360 3 | seems unlikely that they maintained much of their original spiritual
361 3 | the walled interiors of major cities, where they could (
362 3 | recent report, ~ ~"The majority have no proper dwellings,
363 | make
364 | makes
365 3 | government of Sri Lanka is making some attempt to rectify
366 3 | to restore Buddhism. They managed to get some monks from Burma
367 3(8)| The Case of the Dasa-Sil Maniyo in Sri Lanka," Dialogue
368 2 | gave the monastic orders mansions, money with which to construct
369 3 | bhikkhus, or the life of a marginalized quasi-monastic lay-nun. ~
370 2 | s life as preferable to marriage. ~Women had more freedom
371 3 | down before all monks, no matter what their level of religious
372 3 | which is important. What matters is that the monastic women
373 2 | would provide them with some measure of security. Courtesans
374 2 | for robes, bowls, food, medicine, and so forth. Historical
375 2 | the bhikkhunis' ability to meditate and follow the path towards
376 3 | teaching people about Buddhism, meditating, and participating in Buddhist
377 3 | practiced may not survive in the melange that will probably become
378 1 | suitors. The literature also mentions occasional elopements, without
379 1 | nearly to the point of being mere chattel. ~There were, of
380 3 | traditional ordination was merely a custom, begun to encourage
381 1 | obeying her parents, her middle years serving and obeying
382 3 | bhikkhunis. ~Thus, for the last millennium, female Theravada Buddhists
383 2 | the bhikkhus especially to mitigate action against the bhikkhunis.
384 3 | controlled by the edicts of the monarchy, and spent much of their
385 2 | monastic orders mansions, money with which to construct
386 3 | cloister of bhikkhus. The chief monk of the complex explains
387 2 | the three crooked things: mortar, pestle, and my crooked
388 3 | Dasa-Sil-Maniyo," (DSM) or mothers of the ten precepts. As
389 1 | United States. With each move, the expression of Buddhism
390 2 | more important to the young movement, however, was the financial
391 2 | much as it did. ~On a more mundane level, most of the daily
392 1 | fell victim to robbers and murderers. ~Many women were lower-class
393 1 | Courtesans often learned to play music and to dance. They were
394 2 | For example, a nun named Mutta wrote: ~ ~"Free I am free
395 1 | Straight' is the name that Road is called, and '
396 1 | female Western Buddhist, I am naturally extremely interested in
397 1 | current situation, it is necessary to understand the historical
398 3 | time.) Since ten nuns were needed to ordain a new nun, ordination
399 2 | after anyone's physical needs. They were specifically
400 2 | monastic life, it also had the negative effect of vilifying women.
401 | never
402 1(2)| Samyutta Nikaya; I.5.6, quoted in Alan Sponberg, "
403 3 | life. By the end of the nineteenth century a group of women
404 2 | teaching of anatman, or no-self. This teaching states that
405 2 | with societally accepted norms. In other words, the Buddha
406 1 | historical Buddha lived in northern India at approximately 500
407 3 | that they scarcely seem to notice the sexist social structure
408 3 | then the order was not very numerous. The nuns were probably
409 1 | women were supposed to obey their husband and his parents.
410 2 | that her femininity was no obstacle to her enlightenment. She
411 3 | subsistence, no provision for obtaining clothing and material for
412 1 | literature also mentions occasional elopements, without the
413 1 | their parents, although occasionally young women would be given
414 1 | begun its jump across the ocean to the United States. With
415 3 | the two primary choices offered to female Buddhists in Sri
416 3 | ten precepts, but are not officially ordained. They often have
417 2 | life of renunciation. In an oft quoted passage, the Buddha
418 1 | and his parents, and her old age serving and obeying
419 1 | Buddhism. Theravada is the oldest and most traditional of
420 2 | women, as they were the ones who traditionally prepared
421 2 | orders. ~In any case, Buddha opened the doors for women's entrance
422 1 | endeavors. This difference of opinion between Western and Asian
423 1 | and should be given equal opportunities in all endeavors. This difference
424 3 | high hopes for the ultimate outcome of the peculiar admixture
425 | over
426 2 | the portrait of the Buddha painted by the Pali canon does not
427 1 | use the opportunity this paper presented me to examine
428 2(3)| Ursula King, (New York: Paragon House, 1987), p. 82. ~
429 3 | Buddhism, meditating, and participating in Buddhist ceremonies.
430 2 | renunciation. In an oft quoted passage, the Buddha is entreated
431 2(3)| in the World's Religions, Past and Present, edited by Ursula
432 2 | Buddhism in India, Buddhism was patronized by wealthy queens. These
433 3 | ultimate outcome of the peculiar admixture of American independence
434 1 | there was a law forbidding a perfect woman to marry, and demanding
435 3 | time working as nurses and performing other social duties. It
436 | Perhaps
437 2 | would not have survived that period without the help of the
438 2 | people have no fixed or permanent nature. All human attributes
439 3 | only in the limited ways permitted by traditional lay life.
440 2 | and enlightenment of every person, suddenly so hesitant and
441 3 | lay Americans. From the perspective of traditional Theravada
442 2 | crooked things: mortar, pestle, and my crooked husband.
443 2 | developed a misogynistic philosophy. For example, in the Anguttara-Nikaya (
444 2 | have look after anyone's physical needs. They were specifically
445 3 | that the most important pieces of the Theravada tradition
446 2 | effect of vilifying women. It placed the blame for monks' feelings
447 1 | Courtesans often learned to play music and to dance. They
448 2 | determination and sincerity, and pleads their case with the Buddha.
449 1 | be made available for the pleasures of the people. There were
450 2 | Buddha's death, which gave plenty of time for small changes
451 3 | women are bhikkhunis by pointing out that the traditional
452 2 | with self-confidence and poise. Her position was completely
453 2 | as probably helping the political position of the Buddhists.
454 2 | relatives died. Some very poor women joined because the
455 2 | These women provided a large portion of the material wealth of
456 2 | followers. ~However, the portrait of the Buddha painted by
457 2 | from traditional women's positions. Soma, a bhikkhuni and contemporary
458 2 | temptresses did have the positive effect of helping the monks
459 2 | than one thousand). It is possible that the Buddha thought
460 2 | the Buddha's reluctance is possibly correct. The scriptures
461 3 | Consequently, the DSM are poverty stricken. According to one
462 1 | their roles, women were less powerful than were men. As Janice
463 2(4)| of New York Press, 1992), pp. 9-10. ~
464 3 | is not required of male practitioners. Although the Buddha taught
465 2 | the renunciate's life as preferable to marriage. ~Women had
466 2 | the ones who traditionally prepared and served food. Thus, the
467 1 | same car into Nirvana's presence shall they come." 2~ Thus
468 1 | the opportunity this paper presented me to examine the role of
469 2 | this as the best way to preserve women's ability to work
470 3 | Theravada tradition will be preserved. At least, I hope so. I
471 1 | while females are given less prestigious roles. Western Buddhists
472 3 | Theravada nuns. (Buddhism had pretty much disappeared in India
473 2 | women could cause quite a problem. The lay women provided
474 1 | Buddhists find the most problematic is the area of gender. In
475 2 | must have been aware of the problems society would have in accepting
476 3 | there. As the centuries progress, there is less and less
477 2 | to bend over backwards to promote the growth and enlightenment
478 3 | bhikkhunis in Sri Lanka propagated the faith and also seem
479 3 | does not seem likely to prosper. Thus, the two primary choices
480 2 | Buddhism would not have prospered nearly as much as it did. ~
481 1 | women who were courtesans or prostitutes. Some women chose this life
482 3 | could (theoretically) be protected. The last certain reference
483 1 | unsafe. As they had no one protecting them, they easily fell victim
484 2 | because the order would provide them with some measure of
485 3 | means of subsistence, no provision for obtaining clothing and
486 1 | women are unimportant in the pursuit liberation. ~ ~
487 1 | and 'Free From Fear' the Quarter whither thou art bound.
488 3 | the life of a marginalized quasi-monastic lay-nun. ~And what of the
489 2 | order of bhikkhus there. Queen Anula and her maidens heard
490 3 | institutional Buddhism, it is questionable whether this support has
491 1 | what would have then been a radical statement on the potential
492 1 | cooked, cleaned, bore and raised children, and looked after
493 2 | For the most part, they ran their own community and
494 3 | these traditions tend to rankle enormously. There are a
495 | rather
496 2 | that this incident never really happened, but was invented
497 3 | ignore it so that they can reap the benefit of the actual
498 | recently
499 3 | is making some attempt to rectify this unfortunate state of
500 2 | financial support and a greatly reduced status in society, they
501 2 | also provided support for reducing the freedoms allowed to
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