Women As Buddhists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Wowork force As Buddhists - Essay ExampleLegends just about Shakamuni Buddha abound one of them tells of the death of his mother, Maya when Shakamuni was an infant. His aunt, Prajapati, took over the raising of him and later asked to join his sangha. She was refused. It was only after Shakamunis cousin Ananda has requested three times that Prajapati amd her 500 followers were allowed to practice Buddhism outside of the home, as nuns.Legends slightly Shakamuni Buddha abound one of them tells of the death of his mother, Maya when Shakamuni was an infant. His aunt, Prajapati, took over the raising of him and later asked to join his sangha. She was refused. It was only after Shakamunis cousin Ananda has requested three times that Prajapati amd her 500 followers were allowed to practice Buddhism outside of the home, as nuns. This theme has been denied as even existing by some scholars, who justify their denial by pointing out that it was invented to construct societal norms after the death of the Buddha Much debate has been engaged over this story, citing Buddhism as sexist from the in truth beginning. But let us look at the beau monde of the times, for it is society that inspires and also creates rules and more(prenominal)s and acts as the neural impulse behind changing laws and constitutional amendments in e truly country. Firstly, Indian society was (and still is, in numerous places) a khast system which follows strict social mores concerning ones circumstances of birth, familial status and gender.... A woman conducting the same practice was subject to rape, robbery, and other heinous crimes against women, which still occur today.Scholars state that it is very likely that Shakamuni refused to let his beloved aunt and simple machineetaker be an active nun due to the dangers to women who were emancipated during his time. Since the Buddhist faith is centered on compassion and enlightenment attainable by anyone who can adhere to the practices and guidelines , it is more likely that Shakamuni was attempting to protect women rather than subdue them.3It also makes sense that in his compassion, the Buddha placed nuns under the ogdoad Strict Rules and under the subordinance of the monks in order to preserve his teachings by not driving Indian society into anarchy by giving women too much freedom too soon. This certainly would have been the lore of one so enlightened, knowing the impermanence of the world and knowing that with time and changes to society through continue enlightenment, the rules could be relaxed. He never said that women could not achieve enlightenment just as men could in fact he said the opposite Straight is the name that Road is called, and Free From Fear the Qu finesseer whither thou art bound. Thy Chariot is the Silent Runner named, With Wheels of Righteous Effort fitted well. Conscience the Leaning-board the Drapery Is Heedfulness the Driver is the Dharma, I say, and Right Views, they that manoeuver before. And be it woman, or be it man for whom Such a chariot doth wait, by that same car into Nirvanas presence shall they come.4As to the eight rules, they are basically thus1. A bhikkuni (nun), even if in the order for 100