10 Buddhist Women Every Person Should Know

[ellisonz]

Rev. Zesho Susan O'Connell
Vice President, San Francisco Zen Center
Posted: 03/30/2012 6:54 am

In 1996 during Fall Practice Period at Tassajara Zen Mountain Monastery, I participated in the first chanting of the names of Buddhist women ancestors. San Francisco Zen Center's Abbess at that time, Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts, led the effort and did the difficult research necessary to create this list, which began with Buddha's stepmother and ended in Japan. Tears filled my eyes when everyone, men and woman together, wholeheartedly recited these names. I had no idea until that moment how much I had missed this connection. The Buddhism we practice in the West came to us primarily through talented, kind, wonderful male teachers. The female teachers who have always been part of the history of transmission of the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha have seldom been recognized, or included, in written history. There are many reasons for this, most of which are cultural. Even today, the women Buddhist teachers in Asia are often less valued, less respected and certainly receive less financial support than male teachers.

It is my belief that one of the most important changes that have come about in the practice of many (but not all) forms of Buddhism in the West is the equal treatment of men and women. Even in Buddhist lineages that have been slower to recognize this equality, women teachers are arising anyway. In my temple men and women are taught together, live together and are ordained together.

Because of the importance of supporting this understanding and communicating this value of equality (which began when the Buddha initiated his stepmother into his sangha), many contemporary scholars have continued to research and acknowledge the names of these women. Because of the work of people like Rev. Grace Shearson I am now more familiar with the women of the past and present. And because today's teachers are no longer in the background, I have had the opportunity of meeting them and receiving their teachings. So, when asked to describe Buddhist women who have "added to the depth and beauty of the faith," a virtual parade of amazing teachers marched through my mind. Starting with Buddha's stepmother Mahapajapati, then Zenkei Blanche Hartman, the San Francisco Zen Center's first Abbess, followed by Pema Chodron, an extraordinary teacher and best selling author.

More; HuffPo Story

[cliff48]

1. The Westernization of Buddhism in action.

Buddhism has always adapted to the culture it was brought into. I am very pleased that these wonderful women are getting the exposure they deserve and which clearly benefits us more than them.