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Innumerable studies have appeared in recent decades about practically every aspect of women's lives in Western societies. The few such works on Buddhism have been quite limited in scope. In The Power of Denial, Bernard Faure takes an important step toward redressing this situation by boldly asking: does Buddhism offer women liberation or limitation? Continuing the innovative exploration of sexuality in Buddhism he began in The Red Thread, here he moves from his earlier focus on male monastic sexuality to Buddhist conceptions of women and constructions of gender. Faure argues that Buddhism is neither as sexist nor as egalitarian as is usually thought. Above all, he asserts, the study of Buddhism through the gender lens leads us to question what we uncritically call Buddhism, in the singular.
Faure challenges the conventional view that the history of women in Buddhism is a linear narrative of progress from oppression to liberation. Examining Buddhist discourse on gender in traditions such as that of Japan, he shows that patriarchy--indeed, misogyny--has long been central to Buddhism. But women were not always silent, passive victims. Faure points to the central role not only of nuns and mothers (and wives) of monks but of female mediums and courtesans, whose colorful relations with Buddhist monks he considers in particular.
Ultimately, Faure concludes that while Buddhism is, in practice, relentlessly misogynist, as far as misogynist discourses go it is one of the most flexible and open to contradiction. And, he suggests, unyielding in-depth examination can help revitalize Buddhism's deeper, more ancient egalitarianism and thus subvert its existing gender hierarchy. This groundbreaking book offers a fresh, comprehensive understanding of what Buddhism has to say about gender, and of what this really says about Buddhism, singular or plural.
Industry Reviews
ISBN: 9780691091716
ISBN-10: 0691091714
Series: Buddhisms: A Princeton University Press Series
Published: 13th May 2003
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 488
Audience: College, Tertiary and University
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Country of Publication: US
Dimensions (cm): 23.4 x 15.2 x 3.18
Weight (kg): 0.68
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You Can Find This Book In
This product is categorised by
- Non-FictionSociety & CultureSocial GroupsGender StudiesGender Studies: Women and Girls
- Non-FictionReligion & BeliefsAspects of Religion for Non-ChristiansReligious Life & PracticeReligious Aspects of Sexuality
- Non-FictionReligion & BeliefsBuddhismBuddhist Worship
- Non-FictionReligion & BeliefsBuddhismBuddhist Life & Practice
- Non-FictionReligion & BeliefsReligionPhilosophy of Religion