Buddhism in Five Minutes - Elizabeth J. Harris
33. What is the Position of Nuns in Buddhism?
Buddhism in Five Minutes - Elizabeth J. Harris
Ann Heirman [+]
University of Ghent
Ann Heirman is Professor of Chinese Language and Culture and head of the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Ghent University in Belgium.
Description
Notwithstanding their typically subordinate status, throughout history and in every Buddhist region, charismatic female teachers have emerged and female monastics have played significant social roles. Indeed, this is increasingly true today, with nuns playing leading roles in numerous social activities in Taiwan, for instance. Finally, it should be remembered that female lay Buddhist devotees have had a significant impact throughout the religion’s history, and they continue to be actively engaged in countless institutions, societies, and movements, many of which help to give Buddhism a distinctly feminine face.