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CURRENT ISSUES

Stacey Troup

March 22, 2016

Matthew Morrison

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COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION

This Week Five, final paper, will discuss common characteristics Buddhism shares with

other religions, how the religion is responding to challenges of the modern world and finally,

what has changed about the roles of women in the religion over time.

COMMON CHARASTERISTICS

Buddhism shares several traits with common religions of today. Among these traits are

designated ritualistic worship days, the worship of iconography and the growth of the religious

leaders within these religions.

In the Buddhist faith, like that of almost all other religions discussed in this course, has a

hierarchy which accompanies ordination designation. Buddhist Monks and Nuns seeking full

ordination must be of at least 20 years of age, possess a certain “moral caliber”, must be

physically and psychologically sound, free of debt and household responsibly, free of

government duties and have permission from parents or guardians (The System of Training in a

Buddhist MonestaryTakes Many Years, N.D.). Beyond these final requirements for ordination,

there is also an examination held by a panel of Monks (The System of Training in a Buddhist

MonestaryTakes Many Years, N.D.). The process itself takes years to achieve which is similar

to what Catholic priests must endure in terms of their education and Graduate School

requirements.

MODERN WORLD RESPONSES

Buddhism itself has adapted to changes in the modern world better than most religions.

Over the years, Mahayana has extended its reach to include non-monks, women and married

people (Malloy, 2006). At the core of the Mahayana teachings is wisdom and compassion

referred to as “Karuna”. It can be translated to “empathy”, “sympathy” or “kindness”. Within

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the teachings is the belief that individuals are not different from anyone else, thereby extending

their reach to people outside the walls of their reach and expanding their base audience and

followers (Malloy, 2006).

Late in the 19th century, Buddhism reached the United States. Servicemen, returning

from the war, brought with them an inherent interest in the Buddhist faith which helped spread

the interest into American Universities by the middle to end of the 20th century (BDEA, 2008).

The first Zen Buddhist Instutute was opened in 1945 by Ruth Fuller-Sasaki in San

Francisco, CA. The “Zen Boom” was considered to be in full swing in 1950’s. Japanese scholar

D.T. Suzuki gave what is considered to be an influential series of lectures at Columbia

University at that time and in 1957 he particpated in a psychoanalytical study of Zen Buddhism

with leading psychologists of the time (Gurinder Singh Mann, 2001, 2008). New York,

considered a melting pot of religious ideals, further assisted with the growth of Budhism in its

many forms into the 1990s which was a big time for the religion while gaining celebrity

followers (Gurinder Singh Mann, 2001, 2008).

THE ROLES OF WOMEN

While once considered secondary citizens unworthy of worship or position as a teacher

of the particular faith, over time the views on women’s roles within the religion changed.

Originally thought of as the caretakers, child bearers and wives to a more worthy sex

(men), they were also considered unworthy of the ability to reach heaven through their own

merits (Thera, N.D.). Over time, through the teachings of Buddha, the view on women finally

began an adaptive and positive change. They were able to extinguish many beliefs, meaningless

rituals and rites which resulted in a woman’s ability to lead life their own way and gain the same

respect as men in the religious view (Thera, N.D.).

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During the 19th and 20th centuries, women gained emancipation and equality in the West

when seeking to join a particular religion as a teacher (nun, monk) as well as during their quests

for higher education, which was previously forbidden (Thera, N.D.). Buddah himself is

considered a poineer for the equality of women in religions and life itself (Thera, N.D.).

CONCLUSION

Buddhism has had a great impact on the roles of women and its global reach. It shares a

lot in common with other religions of the world but has been more of a pioneer in terms of its

willingness to not only allow women to follow the faith but to also allow them to gain a higher

education and live as equals to man.

Other religions, such as Judaism, have taken a cue from Buddhism and began to allow

women to read the Torah as well as become Rabbis of their particular faith, considered a high

honor. In addition, social and climate changes have affected this and other religions to seek new

followers by opening their eyes, doors and hearts to a new group of people who may have not

otherwise been invited to experience the religion prior to modern times.

Through their willingness to adapt to the changes around them and to allow the

introduction of women into the folds of the faith, Buddhism has been at the forefront of religious

trendsetting since its inception and continues to draw followers who seek to live a simple,

uncluttered life free of the drama that surrounds us. Many religions are going to face the

dilemma of adapt or fold as the times change (also considered “climate change”) (Posas, 2007).

It is imperative that they, too, allow for the changes to be part of the religions they worship and

preach rather than closing the door to people who would wish to follow simply because their

beliefs or ideals in their personal lives may differ from our own.

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REFERENCES

BDEA. (2008). The Buddhist World: The Spread of Buddhism in the West. Retrieved from Buddah Net:

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/to-west.htm

Gurinder Singh Mann, P. N. (2001, 2008). Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs in America: A Short History.

Oxford University Press.

Malloy, M. (2006). Experiencing the World's Religions. Retrieved from Phoenix.edu:

https://phoenix.vitalsource.com/books/1259764575/epubcfi/6/36!/4/2/70/2/2@0:0.658

Posas, P. J. (2007). Roles of Religion and Ethics in Addressing Climate Change. ESEP, 8-9.

doi:http://www.int-res.com/articles/esep/2007/E80.pdf

The System of Training in a Buddhist MonestaryTakes Many Years. (N.D.). Retrieved from Buddah Mind:

http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/monastic/train.htm

Thera, V. K. (N.D.). Status of Women in Buddhism. Retrieved from Buddhist Vihara:

http://www.buddhistvihara.com/newsletters/2003-winter/status_of_women.htm