The Role and Status of Women in Buddhism and Confucianism

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Recommended: Role of women in religious Buddhism

The role and status of women in any religion in the word is known to be controversial.

In Buddhism and Confucianism, women are seen as unequal and some of their belief promotes

gender inequality. As outsiders of both main Chinese religions, we wonder how women put up

with the gender inequalities. Women go through with the inequalities because they respect their

faith and believe deeply in the teachings of Buddha for Buddhism, and Confucius for

Confucianism. Much research and also thought has been put together to obtain true status of

women in these Chinese religions. Women in these religions are seen as vulnerable of the

society, making the treatment of women seem much harsher. Women will always be treated

differently than men, especially in both of these religions, but as women they learn to accept it

and continue to live their life as suitable as possible.

In Buddhism, the teaching that being born as a woman is a result of previous bad karma

and misfortune because women will experience many difficulties in life is taught by some

influential temples, monks, and scholars(Khuankaew). Women who are abused by their husbands

and partners are experiencing the results of previous life’s karma and they can’t do anything

about it except make more merit in this lifetime (Khuankaew). Buddha’s first followers were all

monks and the Buddha’s aunt, Maha Pajapati Gotami, was the first woman, who requested to

join the sangha, Buddha’s community of monks, but the Buddha refused her (Chodron). Women

were not highly respected and had few rights at that time. Buddha refused the woman who loved

and raised him after his own mother’s death and only accepted her after Ananda, Buddha’s

cousin, convinc...

... middle of paper ...

...ose faith allows mistreatment and inequality of women.

Works Cited

1. Chodron, Tenzin. Skipping Stones, Mar/Apr2009, Vol. 21 Issue 2, p24-25. Student Research Centre. EBSCO. Web

2. Khuankaew, Ouyporn. "Tackling gender and sexual discrimination in Buddhism. " Arrows For Change. 14.1-2 (May-Sept 2008): 12(2). General Reference Center Gold. Gale. Knowledge Ontario

3. Lee, Gloria; Japanese Women in History, 2007. Student Research Centre. EBSCO. Web

4. Lee-Park Sun Ai "Woman and man in community: an Asian reflection. " The Ecumenical Review. 46.n2 (April 1994): 147(10). General Reference Center Gold. Gale. Knowledge Ontario - Portal. 3 May 2011

5. Park Sang Jung. "Woman and man in community: an Asian reflection. " The Ecumenical Review. 46.n2 (April 1994): 147(10). General Reference Center Gold. Gale. Knowledge Ontario - Portal. 3 May 2011

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