The Roles of Women in Different Societies

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Women have been suffering discrimination in societies for years. They are considered inferior to men. In two different societies women’s have different roles, in Buddhist societies women are thought o have evolved socially than in Brahmanic societies . Women lead very different lives in Brahmanic and Buddhist societies. Buddhism was created by Buddha(565–485 BCE). The Buddha wanted equality. Instead of trying to overcome the strict caste system , he created a second world where these social barriers no longer existed. Hinduism believes in the worships of gods and goddesses. The origin of Hinduism is unknown. There are multiple symbolism of women in Hinduism for instance women can symbolize the goddesses. the roles of epic heroines as behavior models for women, and the roles of women worshipers or their virtues. Were women better off in Buddhist societies than in Hindu societies.
Women in Buddhism have a more positive than negative role. Buddha has encouraged Dharma(the teaching of the Buddha) to both men and women and he made sure that everyone understands that the differences between men and women are meaningless. During the first few years of Buddhism women were treated the same as they are in Brahmanic societies. They were dominated by men. Buddha created a new way of living but he was still living in a society that has been treating women as inferior to men. After the passing of Buddha’s father, his stepmother asked him if she would be allowed to join the order and he denied her for reasons unknown. She shaved her head and dressed in a yellow robe and she went to him with 500 or more women who also wanted to join. Ananda, Buddha’s cousin saw them at the gate and after realizing that they wanted to join, he went to Buddha and ...

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... Cited

Romberg, Claudia. Women In Engaged Buddhism. Contemporary Buddhism, Vol. 3, No. 2, 2002.
Winkles, Henry. Images of Hinduism and Buddhism, Iconographic encyclopaedia of science, literature, and art. Rudolph Garrigue, 1851, division 8, vol. 2, pl. 3.
Haddad, Yvonne and Findly, Elilison. Women, Religion, and Social Changes. Publisher Suny Press, January 1, 1885.
Baskar, V.S. Faith and Philosophy of Buddhism. Gyan Publishing House, Publisher, 2009
Mohr, Thea and Tsedroen, Jampa. Dignity and Discipline: Reviving Full Ordination for Buddhist Nuns. Wisdom Publications Inc, May 11, 2010.
Pruthi, R.K. Indian Caste System. Discovery Publishing House, January 1, 2004.
Bose, Mandakranta. Women in the Hindu Tradition: Rules, Roles and Exceptions. Publisher: Routledge, Jan 19, 2010.
Leslie, Julia. Roles and Rituals for Hindu Women. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1992.

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