When Ananda approached the Buddha and spoke on Mahapajapati’s behalf, he asked the reason why Buddha seemed hesitant to accept women into the sangha. Ananda asked, “Do you think women to be less able to reach enlightenment?â€
Buddha replied no. “Women have as much potential as men to become enlightenedâ€
Sadly, for women, some Asian countries fervently believe that only men will be able to attain enlightenment. Buddhist women, living in these communities, will be able to only practice devoutly as a Buddhist, and hope to come back reborn as a man.
Words of Advice Given To Laywomen
This advice is given to laywomen through the Buddhist writings, Anguttara Nikaya:
· Be capable at one’s work.
· Work Work skillfully and diligently.
· Be even-handed and/or skillful when handling your domestic help, when applicable.
· Be efficient in the execution of your household duties.
· Be a gracious host to the friends as well as family of one’s husband.
· Be faithful to one’s husband; guard and invest family earnings.
· Be conscious and loving while taking care of your responsibilities.
· Observe the 5 precepts as well as become morally disciplined.
· Be generous (cultivate a mind free from stinginess or avarice; delight in charity, giving and sharing).
· Seek wisdom and recognize that absolutely nothing is ever forever.
The Bhikkuni Sangha
Whenever Buddhist nuns become ordained, they are known as bhikkuni.
Mahapajapati and her group of 500 royal women were the core of the 1st bhikkuni order.
Two hundred yrs. later, Emperor Ashoka’s son went to Sri Lanki, working as a Buddhist Missionary, and heard-tell of a princess who desired to become a member of the sangha. But in order for it to be created, both bhikkus and bhikkunis were necessary. Additionally, it had been essential that a min. of five bhikkunis be a part of the core of the order. To start the sangha, the Emperor Ashoka’s daughter, already a Buddhist nun, requested to be sent to Sri Lanka. Upon Sanghamitta’s arrival in Sri Lanka, she was welcomed by hundreds of other women who had been excited to join as well. That new Bhikkuni Sanghi, the 1st started outside of India, was a huge victory for Buddhist Women everywhere.
Prior to the attack on their country during 1017, the Bhikkuni order in Sri Lanka thrived. Other Bhikkuni orders worldwide have been established and had grown, only to meet their end from war or takeover. The Bhikkuni lineage must have been broken for over 1000 yrs. in Thailand, Tibet and many other southeast Asian countries. In an attempt to re-establish the Bhikkuni ordination, Buddhist leaders of all traditions conducted a summit in Germany during the International Congress on Buddhist Women’s Role within the Sangha. The Dalai Lama offered his full support and the delegates unanimously voted to re-establish the Bhikkuni ordination. But many of the details are still being worked out. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, said, “If Buddha were here today, I am certain he would grant his permission for bhikkuni ordination. But Buddha is not here, and I can’t act as Buddha.â€
So where does that leave Buddhist women of today? Not surprisingly, most of the planet will find bhikkunis treated as inferior to bhikkus. Despite whether many of the misogynistic quotes or stories we have heard are true reflections of historical events, or lies understandably woven throughout the years by men born into a patriarchal system, the fact of the matter has been that they still exist. They're there for anyone to read, so whether or not the Buddha intended for men to have much more power, they do In much more patriarchal (read: oppressive) countries, such as Thailand, where bhkkuni ordination does not exist, nor is even recognized, that has been particularly relevant.
Author Resource:
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 http://www.ulcseminary.org/store/product_info.php?cPath=29&products_id=153>Buddhist Studies Course offered through the Universal Life Church Seminary. We have many courses available and each one carries with it an earned degree.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")