Absolutely right, Judy. Amma is the exception who proves the rule. I have never seen a female priest in any other Hindu temple, apart from the little roadside one in Tamil Nadu which I have mentioned.
xxx
Hi Sisters,
I guess I don't want to pretend that the Buddhist tradition is free from any form of misogyny. Why would it be such? The fact is the Buddha did ordain nuns and monks. Like many great teachers he was a social revolutionary. That is hardly a remarkable claim.
The fact is history is full of injustice committed in the name of religion. It's also full of injustice committed int he name of all sorts of things that aren't much connected with religion. Some of the worst crimes against humanity have been committed by Marxist inspired states.
What matters is warm heart that is not clouded by discrimination, self justification and judgment, and how we share that in our world today and for the future or mankind 😉
Norbu
Thanks brother Norbu! 😉
I keep going back to what Myarka said:
Without women's rights there's no equality, without equality there's no humanity.
I really feel that until women have equal rights in religion, we not only don't have humanity, but a fuller spirituality!
One friend who is a Sikh sent me this - it seems to echo what Sunanda and Norbu have said, but I'm pleased to see that in theory at least, women are considered equal:
Re: Sikh(-ism) - It preaches total equality (that's why all Sikh Temples should have four entrances), men, women, rich, poor, sikhs, non-sikhs and non-believers...
However, as in many faiths, theory and intent is one thing, the way people actually practice is another.
My mother for example led the prayers & hymns quite often at the local temple when I was small, but when she divorced my father - they ostricised her ...
Love and peace,
Judy
Hi Judy and everyone
I was reminded of this thread as I am at this moment listening to BBC Radio 4. Unfortunately I missed last week's opening programme in this series, but the second one is proving interesting. The series is entitled 'Banishing Eve' -
In the second part of her series charting the role of women in the founding of the Christian Church, historian Bettany Hughes continues to explore gender tension at the heart of the new religion.
The link is http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rl4kn
and I feel it's most apposite to this thread. Catch up with the second programme on iplayer.
Thanks so much Sunanda,
I look forward to hearing it, but right now am off to bed after a weekend away!
The title reminded me of a CS article I loved (sadly no longer available on the internet) but it was called "I'm not Eve" -- women's place redefined"
Women were declared human by one vote.
Tradition has it that in the year 584 C.E., a council was held in Lyon, France, where the question of women's humanity was debated by church leaders. Sixty-three delegates were reportedly present; 32 voted yes and 31 voted no.
I have done a study of Eve and all the beliefs that have been accepted into human consciousness because of her moment of weakness in the Adam and Eve allegory, but it will have to wait.. :sleep:
Love and peace
Judy