I consider my self a supporter of Feminism and a self identified feminist. I also identify with the principles of Zen Buddhism (living in the moment, the practice of letting go, etc.) In doing research on the history of Buddhism I found that, like other major religions, Buddhism is patriarchal in structure. What troubled me, and prompted this post, was that Buddhism has been called Misogynistic by such scholars as Rita Gross; but a more “flexible misogyny” whatever that means ( which I think is an oxymoron). There is even this quote by the Dali Lama using Gender Binary stereotypes:
“Warfare has traditionally been carried out primarily by men, since they seem better physically equipped for aggressive behavior. Women, on the other hand, tend to be more caring and more sensitive to others’ discomfort and pain. Although men and women have the same potentials for aggression and warmheartedness, they differ in which of the two more easily manifests. Thus, if the majority of world leaders were women, perhaps there would be less danger of war and more cooperation on the basis of global concern – although, of course, some women can be difficult! I sympathize with feminists, but they must not merely shout. They must exert efforts to make positive contributions to society. ”
My question to the Community is “How have you incorporated feminism and spirituality? and Do you have suggestions on how you dealt with parts of your own belief structure that may contradict with feminist equality?
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All religions are complex, based on the interpretations of millions of believers down the centuries, each with their own unique perspective and social issues to face. As a Christian, I have been confronted with numerous examples of the horrors committed in the name of Christ. Biblical passages talk about how wives should be subservient to their husbands, rapists pay fines to their victims’ fathers and then marry them, etc,etc. However, from my years of study, I have come to the conclusion that the major tenet of a Christian faith is to treat others as you would have them treat you. It’s been said in many ways, and by many religious figures and philosophers, before and after Christ. I take this as the center of my faith, and see anything that contradicts this as deviant from the truth of the faith. This deviance includes not just subjugation of women, but support for slavery, homophobia, inquisitions, and the other un-Christian acts performed by the Church and by individuals. Some Christians would disagree with me, and they are free to do so, but I ultimately believe that loving your neighbor is a much higher calling than pointing out everyone else’s supposed “sin.”
As to Buddhism, I am not a Buddhist, and though I have studied Buddhism a bit in my college career, I don’t want to step on any toes by claiming to have an authority to speak on how Buddhists view this or that. I only know what I have read and heard, and recognize that what I think I know may be wrong. That being said, as to women and Buddhism, I want to leave you with this quote that I encountered in the course of my studies:
“The ancient Indian text composed by elder almswomen,
the Therigatha, recounts that the devil* Mara queries,
‘Can women attain enlightenment?’
The female Buddha elder retorts, ‘Of course!
Only Mara would imagine otherwise!”
*I quoted it exactly as the book presented it, but it is my understanding that Mara represents the forces of negativity and death, who tried to distract the Buddha from attaining enlightenment, and is not an exact parallel to the Christian Satan.
Thank you for your indepth and detailed response. Thank you again