Commonalities between Hindu and Christian and Buddhist Women - Research Paper Example

Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism Commonalities between Hindu, Christian and Buddhist Women In Relation To Ecological Sustainability Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, all these religion support the fact that there is a deep connection between feminism and ecological system. These three religions visualize feminism and nature as scared entities. There are various theories about the connection of mother earth with feminism which were studied and analyzed by various theologians. Similar theories have been crafted in Christianity too. These theories give you a vision of seeing the nature as well as the feminine as scared creations of God (Dwivedi 305-323)1. These three faiths have different perceptions regarding feminism. Buddhism holds two concepts for feminism. In the first concept it, says that it’s better for women to take another life to be born as a man. Whereas the other concept says that genders do not matter, it is spirituality that is considered important in Buddhism. Hinduism, on the other hand, deals with ecofeminism as a scared concept. They say that the power of a goddess resides within women, and this gives them an authority over everything. Perhaps this is because there is a connection between nature and feminism that gives them the authority over nature. Christianity too treats women as sacred entities and believes in the fact that there are some similarities between nature and women. Women and nature both are considered to possess the quality of reproduction in all the religions. Ecological Feminism Ecological feminism can be defined as a concept which unites or merges the movement of nature with the movements of feminism. Eco feminists have tried to portray the importance of feminism to environmentalism (Cheney 179)2. The term ecofeminism was first used by a French writer, Francoise d’Eaubonne in 1984. She used this term for the first time in her book“Le Feminismeou la mort”. Ecological feminism can also be defined as a concept which connects environmentalism with feminism. It can further be elaborated as the ability of the women power to work towards the achievement of balance in the ecological processes. Ecofeminist philosophy finds, analyzes and studies the connection between the behavior that dominate the women and the behavior that can be considered detrimental for the society or the environment. Similarities between women and nature Ortner was the first anthropologist to raise the question of similarities between women and nature. He said that as woman is to man, similarly nature is to culture. He said that there are many similarities between women and nature. The first one, he elaborated was the reproductive function played by both. He further added that as women take care of their child and nurture them, a similar function is played by the nature, as it gives birth to the plants and then proves rain on them so that they may grow. Merchant, another anthropologist defined nature as wild and aggressive. Feminist Interventions In Development Of India Women in India have played an important role in transformation of eco-religion to political ecology. This has contributed to sustainability of the eco-system. In India deforestation has taken place on a massive level because of the growing trend of industrialization. This deforestation has increased the complications for the people living in rural areas. Wood which was is the essential mean for fuel became rear due the deforestation. Grass which is used to feed the cattle was out of range. Many similar problems arose, which affected the life of the people in rural areas. Many women from the rural areas in India understood the need of forest. They knew that they cannot create a sustainable environment without meeting the basic needs of their citizen. They rose to defend their land, and to protest against deforestation. Medha Patkar, who is the founder of the “Narmada Bachao Andolan” and is said to be the voice and support of the voiceless people of India, started a protest to save the Narmada River. She went through several hardships, police beating etc. but in the end somehow managed to save the Narmada. (Prasad 1)3. There are many stories that portray the role of women as an important emerging feminist power in India. In Hinduism there is belief that woman are spiritual entities. Hinduism emphasizes on the fact that a goddess resides in the body of every female. This gives a certain authority to the women over men. How Hinduism Promotes Ecological Interest In ancient India importance was given to sustainability of environment for the betterment of mankind. Hindu’s religious text of Vedas and Puranas have influenced on the betterment and sustainability of the ecological system. This made the ecological sustainability an ethical and moral obligation for the Hindus (Prasad 1)4. Christianity, Women and Ecological Sustainability Feminist theologians study the movement of nature and its connection and correlation with feminism. The main objective of these theologians is to study the ecofeminism from the religious point of view (Betcher 5480–5484)5. There are various concepts found in Christianity which points towards the concept of ecological feminism in Christianity. In Christianity ecofeminism is considered as something spiritual, poetic and artistic. Women in the history of Christianity have played their part towards the ecosystem. A catholic woman donated her land for the purpose of vegetation. In Christianity women and nature are considered interlinked and the catholic women have been portraying this fact by taking care of the ecological system and doing their part well (Ruether 196-197)6. Reuther’s View on Sexist Hierarchy Ruether says that in Christianity, human are the most superior beings in the eye of God. This gives them the authority over other creations of God. While giving her views about sexist hierarchy, Ruether says that in Christianity male practices power over women and slaves. Man was the one for whom this world and women came into existence. This gives him supreme power over everything, even women. She says that this power granted to man, has led to ecological crisis. As man believes that the nature has been made to serve him, so he can use it in any way he wants. She further adds that the view presented in Christianity is not of great harm to the ecological system, it’s the industrial, environmental and social factors that matters most. (Ruether 189-190)7. Buddhist Teachings Support Ecological Sustainability There is a strong connection between Buddhism and ecological sustainability. Many people do not take the teaching of the Buddhism regarding sustainability seriously. Buddhism has promoted to keep a positive and friendly relationship of mankind with environment. There are many ecological writers that have been inspired by the teaching of Buddhism. The teachings of Buddhism have inspired them and their thoughts in many ways. Nowadays one of the most important issues is how can a man have a sustainable relationship with the environment. This is one of the greatest challenges that the world is facing today. Buddhism, when studied in details holds certain points which are unclear. For e.g. if Buddhism teaches an individual that he or she must stay away from all the worldly things and desires then why on the other hand it is influencing an individual to show commitment towards the world (R. Gross 207-225)8. Rita Gross on Buddhism and Feminism Rita Gross is a Buddhist feminist theologian, who has tried to show a connection between Buddhism and feminism. She highlights various points related to the concept of sustainability in Buddhism. She says that people think that Buddhism is always emphasizing on a life full of suffering and that this isn’t true. The concepts of Buddhism do not support suffering. Buddhism tells people to contribute towards social sustainability, as a choice and not as a duty. This faith also believes in the interdependence of human on nature. Rita gross also discuss the problems caused by the increasing population. She further says that sexuality is not considered negative in Buddhism but making a family is very demanding and it is a worldly affair. She also focuses on the fact that the need of having a family of our own only results in an increase in population (R. M. Gross 207-225)9. Read More