Buddhism After Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism

by Rita M. Gross

This book surveys both the part women have played in Buddhism historically and what Buddhism might become in its post-patriarchal future. The author completes the Buddhist historical record by discussing women, usually absent from histories of Buddhism, and she provides the first feminist analysis of the major concepts found in Buddhist religion. Gross demonstrates that the core teachings of Buddhism promote gender equity rather than male dominance, despite the often sexist practices found in Buddhist institutions throughout history.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Feminism, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Gender Studies

376 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

Reviews

[Kamakana · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you like this review i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com

230417: excellent work unifying, contrasting, mutually aiding, feminism and buddhism, in practice, in thought, in this very real world of patriarchal dominions. i notice this book is older than any of the young women who serve me at this coffeehouse, none of whom will allow claims of being feminists. perhaps they rather claim to be post- but this is just indication of how that term now characterizes more 'militant' attitudes. this is an error in thought. this book is written from a modern, western, open sort of culture, not reactionary and conservative, or so i liked to believe until certain political happenings...

my knowledge of buddhism has been almost entirely through reading. i have tried zazen, i have entertained searching conversations with some buddhist friends. i have not enacted any particular buddhist practices. my interest has been philosophical and in a sense it is the intellectual aspect, not the religious aspect i enjoy learning about. i could say that the same about feminism. i have read some but i am not a woman so do not 'live' the prejudice, androcentricity, misogyny, that this entails. rather i am fortunate in most ways socially, culturally, sexually, but hope this does not invalidate sincere interests...

so, this book. if there is a central theme it is: buddhism is (should be) non-patriarchal, shows no tendency towards valuing men more than women, not in language, politics, society, but has been used for 'justifications' of androcentric social and spiritual, immediate, ultimate, oppression of women. there is no such justification in buddhism, in original, modern, or contemporary forms, in any culture. there can be 'explanations' but these are suspect when shading into blaming the victim...

there is necessity to integrate thoughts of women buddhists in practice, thought, works, to correct the unfortunate if often unconscious male-dominant discourse of this way. this book is a valuable, engaging, step on this path. everything should be up for debate. it is mistaken to follow too much ancient texts and refuse to evolve as societies have. it frustrates me that half of humanity is still underrepresented, for what values, what concerns, that women may bring to buddhism is only to the betterment of any way. this is a book that in my reading is definitely a favourite. i want to read more on buddhism and feminism, so recs are welcome...

more
Innovative Buddhist Women: Swimming Against the Stream
Women in the Footsteps of the Buddha: Struggle for Liberation in the Therigatha
The Vimalakirti Sutra
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
Buddhism: A Philosophical Approach
What the Buddha Thought
Nietzsche and Buddhist Philosophy
Buddhist Philosophy: A Historical Analysis
Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction
Ethics Embodied: Rethinking Selfhood Through Continental, Japanese, and Feminist Philosophies
After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age
What the Buddha Thought
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
Buddhist Philosophy: Essential Readings
Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction
Self, No Self?: Perspectives from Analytical, Phenomenological, and Indian Traditions
After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age
Philosophers of Nothingness: An Essay on the Kyoto School
The Kyoto School
Nishida And Western Philosophy
Buddhism: A Philosophical Approach
What the Buddha Thought
Wisdom Beyond Words: The Buddhist Vision of Ultimate Reality
Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction
An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy
Why I Am Not a Buddhist
Why I Am a Buddhist: No-Nonsense Buddhism with Red Meat and Whiskey

[Dhātturā · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let us not forget, that the very words we read were created by a man and for a man. Before this, who knows... the feminine has always been in darkness.

A necessary read for all along the path. At some point, we must confront gender in our relative lives from all aspects. When beginning, this book was helpful in unraveling my trepidation of a patriarchal tradition. To be sure, the female is not spoken of a great deal in Buddhism, and historically were not always treated great, like, well, the entirety of human history. Buddhism doesn't deal with feminist issues because through it all, all of being is practice, male/female/animal/demon/god/plant. So, we probably should worry less about what or who we are, but how we are.

However, my great curiosity asks this: what could come of a women, if given the choice like so many men before her, to not become a wife and mother, be given the physical necessities of life, and allowed to sit day after day in solitude to watch her experience? And further, be given the freedom to not even learn of previous experiences of this kind, to not be influenced by even the written language and traditions that exist of this kind that (to my knowledge) ALL come from men. This has NEVER existed for women, again, of my knowledge. Not even nuns in the Asian traditions were or are free from the patriarchal traditions that inform them. The closest I can imagine is very gifted individuals of indigenous traditions who were allowed to become medicine-women, but even they were likely to be mothers, if for no other reason but to carry on her legacy.

Wouldn't that be amazing?! A whole untapped universe of experience of Mind.

[Jessica Zu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is certainly the most inspiring book I had ever read. At first, I was a little on guard knowing that Prof. Gross is practicing Tibetan Buddhism, a tradition full of deities and other worldly creatures. At the end of this book, she said, relationships with human beings are enough, others could be simply dispensable bonus, not essential to liberation (maybe I should call it deep peace 'cause liberation sounds like running away from here to somewhere else). The goal of spiritual practice is to achieve liberation within this world. Gross' vision of the post Patriarchy Buddhism is well balanced, with penetrating wisdom and deep satisfying for all human beings especially women. Though, i disagree with her on a few points, but those are really implementations rather than principle disagreements. I would like to translate this book into Chinese so that my fellow Chinese practitioners could also benefit from her wisdom and compassion.
Horray Rita!

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for class.
I deeply appreciate this as a feminist reconstruction of Buddhism, as someone who loves Buddhist teachings and beliefs. I think this is especially valuable as Buddhism is often idealized in the West as a religion without the problems (racism, sexism, violence) so often attached to Christianity.
However, I wish Gross would've made an effort to make her deconstruction more intersectional. I understand it was written in the 90's but it's almost humorous how much Gross avoids race and sexuality. Additionally, it's a little dense but what else can you expect from an academic text, I guess.

[Paul Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Summary:
Aversion creates anger
Blame is one of 8 worldly concerns
Patriarchy empowers aggressive women and men.
Matriarchy empowers all women and men.
Emaho!

Many people look at Dharma as a broad generalization about Buddhist culture. People forget to distinguish between culture as a sociopolitical construct of mind, and Dharma as an immutable teaching on the very nature of that mind. That mind that creates the socio-cultural delusions of Buddhism as an institution, and of gender. Rita Gross does, in her brilliance, distinguish between these. She defines feminism as an "academic method and social vision". For her it seems less of an issue to balance between two genders, but rather "to see the essential problem of patriarchy as the very existence of gender roles and post-patriarchy as freedom from gender roles". I'm always delighted to find a female feminist writer who can embody the non-dual languaging that transcends the '8 worldly concerns', primarily 'Blame' of one gender, race, class, or age group, for the problems that we all co-create together. In this book she addresses women's issues from a wonderfully heartfelt perspective while not falling into the trap of blame. #solutionfocus

[Tommy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, while the author offers many worthy arguments against old, traditional practices of Buddhism institutions when it comes to women’s rights and abilities, and fascinating histories, she remains totally stuck in her own bias favoring strict gender differentiation and separation—what she fails to comprehend is that these are also oppressive gender roles! It’s really a shame that she insists that women and men are so totally distinct and that it’s not actually possible to get beyond traditional gender roles.

[Charli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outrageous and wonderful! Her ideas are so carefully thought out and communicated clearly.

[Redpoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I liked this book, the last chapter or two were of little interest and I confess to having skimmed them

[Cassie H-W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need a bigger brain for this one

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any woman considering the Buddhist path. Written by a practicing Buddhist and Professor of religion, it combines spiritual reflection with feminist, academic analysis. Gross acknowledges the ways in which Buddhism is problematic for feminists, while reconstructing a Buddhism that can be practiced with clear conscious.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great and clear exploration of feminist issues within Buddhist philosophy and society throughout history, and I'm certain I'll come back to it for new ideas and approaches to my practice. Gross did a cogent job of pointing out the sexist aspects of Buddhism without throwing the baby out with the bathwater when it came to the valuable, pro-feminist aspects of it.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book in it own right and the method of analysis can be applied to other religions like Quakerism. A bit too academic.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful discussion of the role women have had in Buddhism. Much to consider.

[Caitlin Trepp · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great ideas organized unforgivably poorly; the lecture she gave at my school was so amazing though I think her next book will be awesome...!

[Iqra Tasmiae]

https://scroll.in/article/801243/why-...