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58 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

In the teachings of the Buddha, One might wonder why then it the root tantric precepts, equally
women have as much right to took so long for him to formally binding for its male and female
enlightenment as men. Indeed, it admit women into his Order and, practitioners, a specific precept to
is not because whether you are had them agree to additional avoid disparaging women on the
woman or a man that determines guidelines and precepts over those ground of their gender.
your attainment of enlightenment. of men when he did admit them?
No matter who you are, if you follow One could understand that the Also, while bhikṣuṇīs are governed
the teachings of the Buddha and Buddha would know what is best by more precepts, they are for
practice them, you can become for women and their protection in their protection. Because women
enlightened. that particular social milieu. That were more prone to being
the larger society needed more victimized or bullied than men,
In Buddhism, differences in convincing evidence demonstrated Buddha established precepts that
gender have no impediment to the by the women themselves about prevent women from encountering
attainment of the highest perfection. their capabilities for the society to dangerous situations. He also
Referring to the Noble Eightfold more easily let go of the long-held expressed his vision for the fourfold
Path, the Buddha compares it to belief about women’s inferiority assembly, bhikṣuṇīs and upāsikās
a chariot and observes: “And be it and inability. This strategic planning and their male counterparts, to
woman, be it man for whom. Such by Buddha is widely reflected in the exist and flourish and said that
chariot does wait by that same way he taught different topics even these four saṅghas harmoniously
car into Nirvana’s presence shall doctrinally. He reveals bigger and practicing the Buddhadharma will
they come.” Therefore, women fuller truths in progressive ways as make his teachings last a long time
are regarded as equally capable of presented to disciples with more in this world.
enlightenment as men are. refined intellects, or with more
informed trust in the teacher. Buddha always wanted his saṅgha
Geshe Dadul: As someone who One may sense a similar strategy to move at pace with the sensibility
fully embodied compassion, being employed in his handling of and sensitivity of cultural attitudes
there was no reason for, nor were the question of the status of women of the time. Since modern societies,
there any anecdotal incidents of in his sangha. Although everyone as well as the United Nations,
Buddha harboring any gender bias has equal potential to attain stress the importance of gender
against anyone, much less women. Buddhahood, the Sūtrayāna and equality and respect for women, we
Historical writings, such as that of even the three lower tantras state Buddhists must do so as well in all
th
the 17 century Tibetan historian that one has to have a male body in ways possible.
and spiritual master Taranath’s the final preceding lives to attain
record of the life events of the Buddhahood. But then, in the highest Some Buddhists take to the
Buddha, reveal that long before the yoga tantra, the final system of his streets to demonstrate against
Buddha had female members into teachings representative of Buddha’s war, acts of cruelty against certain
his Sangha Order, he had stated actual intent, not only both genders ethnic communities, as well as
both in public teachings as well to are equally capable of attaining full engage in high-profile protests
individuals, including Maha Pajapati awakening but are also equally able and activism campaigns opposing
Gotami, that women were equally to do so in any body irrespective of massive development projects
able to attain liberation and become gender. Additionally, in his highest which threaten widespread
arhats and fully awakened buddhas. yoga tantra circle of teachings, ecological destruction. How can
Besides, His teachings on Buddha Buddha particularly emphasizes one engage in such activities
nature and universal compassion restoring dignity and respect for in a mindful way based on
reflected this principle all along. women, and thus institutes, among fundamental Buddhist precepts
of non-harming and kindness?