WOMEN AND NIBBĀNA
An Analysis of Early Buddhist Texts
Keywords:
Bhikkhu/Bhikkhunī-Saṅgha, Gender, Nibbāna, Paṭiccasamuppāda, Therīgāthā, Soteriological InclusivenessAbstract
Pāḷi Buddhist texts present a mixed basket of egalitarian and non-egalitarian, and soteriologically inclusive and androgynous Buddhist worldviews towards women. Despite the institutional androcentrism and ascetic misogyny these texts teach that Gotama, the Buddha gave teachings to all human beings irrespective of their caste and gender, and also taught that women are equally capable of realising fruits of stream-attainment (sotāpanna), once-returning (sakadāgāmī), non-returning (anāgāmī) and the highest spiritual goal (nibbāna, arahant). The Theragāthā and Therīgāthā narrate the stories of Buddhist men and women, who realized perfection during the lifetime and after the death of historical Gotama the Buddha. The paper argues that in spite of the negative portrayal of women in some of the texts, early Buddhist worldviews were progressive with regard to the gender issue, though sexual difference is affirmed, a common saṅgha is not provided for both sexes, and additional rules are given for nuns. The social and institutional patriarchy does not exclude women from realising nibbāna.
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