Status of Women in Buddhism –A Study

Abstract

The topic regarding the status of women in the society is like a burning topic in almost all the religions of the world. The patriarchial system existing in the society from decades is still going on in various places due to which the struggle of women to achieve a respectable and independent position in the society is still present. Almost every religion has placed women to a sub-ordinate position. Early Vedic age saw a very honourable position in contrast with the later Vedic stage which comprehends a downfall of their position. Buddhism is a humanitarian religion emphasizing in the happiness of all. Siddhartha Gautama, popularly known as Gautam Buddha, was a religious teacher of Buddhism who placed women to an equal position like that of men irrespective of the social divergence widespread in the society. Before Buddhism women’s condition was worse but Buddha’s emergence was like a life giving force to the women who were able to secure their old reputable position. Buddha gave them a wayto bring forward their hidden potentialities in the society. But after the death of Buddha, womenfolk suffered a lot. Their birth was regarded to be a bad omen and was merely treated as an object who were confined only to household chores. This paper is an attempt to put forward the place of women in Buddhism and I have tried also bring forth the comparison of their position before Buddhism, during the time of Buddha and after his death.