27th Annual Student Research Conference
Female Enlightenment in Early and Theravada Buddhism
Marisa A. White
Dr. Ding-hwa Hsieh, Faculty Mentor
This paper is an analysis of more traditional Buddhist views of female Enlightenment. There are pre-stated assumptions that both early and Theravada Buddhism have a seemingly less positive and more restrictive view of women, especially concerning their ability to become Enlightened (mainly whether or not a woman must physically transform into a male or not to do so). Using stories and scriptures about women from monastic-centered Buddhist branches, I will analyze them and ascertain whether or not these assumptions are, in fact, true and will further discern how the predominant view I obtain from such analysis (and the deviations from it) originated in the first place.
Keywords: Buddhism, Women, Enlightenment, Theravada Buddhism, Transformation, Female Enlightenment, Early Buddhism, Role of Women
Topic(s):English
Philosophy & Religion
Women's and Gender Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 205-5
Location: VH 1320
Time: 10:30