Images of Women in Early Buddhism and Christian Gnosticism - Essay Example

The labels are written in italics Part Paragraph1, p. 95- Topic/background - there are many similarities between Eastern and Western religions which view women not perfect. -The paper mainly focuses on the claim by different authors that naturally, women’s bodies are not perfect. This paragraph is very important given that it seeks to advance the author’s main argument that though Eastern and Western religions are somehow different, they show a lot of similarities. This paragraph is also meant to highlight the perceptions held by men about women Paragraph 2, p. 95 problem The main problem addressed by the paper is: the paper seeks to obtain reasons why these negative attitudes towards women exist while it is known that they take an active role in their religious lives. This paragraph is important since it tries to show that women also take an active role in religious activities regardless of the perceptions held by men about them. Research question Why should these negative attitudes towards women persist when we know that women actively supported and participated in the religious life of both Buddhist and Gnostic communities? This is essential since it shows that the author has a point to advance to the readers as well as to get the answers why women are treated that way. Paragraph 3, p. 95 Both scriptures show that women are capable of seducing men to engage in sexual intercourse. This paragraph seeks to support the argument raised by the author that women are evil people. Paragraph 1, p.96 thesis -Both religions assume the wrong doing of women disrupted an otherwise perfect world. This thesis statement seeks to show that the author is of the view that women are responsible for human kind’s disgrace on earth. Paragraph 2, p.96 claims -The Buddhist myth posits to the effect that men’s disgrace came after he tasted food from the earth -this mainly contributed to the fall of humanity. This paragraph is very important since it highlights the source of sin among human kind. Paragraph 3, p. 96 evidence -The Christians on the other hand also attribute this myth of women’s evilness to the issue of Adam and Eve who tasted the forbidden fruit in Eden which led to sexual intercourse. -this paragraph is also important since it tries to show the evidence to prove that women were the causes of sin on earth Paragraph 1, p. 97 (Note- starts with this sentence: Other tractates, The Book of Thomas .... Eating the forbidden fruit led to the fall of humankind as shown by the actions of Eve. This section also seeks to advance the author’s argument with regards to perceptions held by men about women. Paragraph 2, p.97 evidence continues Both religions attribute the fallout of men to the deliberate act of consuming the earthly fruits that were not allowed by God. This led to sexual desire which could be satisfied through sexual intercourse. This paragraph again supports the thesis of the paper. Paragraph 3, p. 97 The Buddhists view the body of a woman as a symbol for desire and the Christian writings which also have same views for women. This paragraph is meant to support the view being presented by the author. Paragraph 1, p. 98 (note, it begins with this sentence ‘These intemperate attacks on the impurity of women's bodies and sexual...’ Womanisers are just like dogs. This paragraph is important since it helps to show that women play a major role in seducing men. Paragraph 2 p.98 Sexual intercourse is related to child bearing it is viewed as an impediment to full participation in religious lives. Men are encouraged to live solitary lives as an example shown by Buddha himself. This paragraph supports the thesis. Paragraph 3 p. 98 claims Christian doctrine also has negative attitude towards sexual intercourse and child bearing. These are related to suffering and Jesus even pointed out that people should destroy the works of femaleness. -both religions share the same view against sexual intercourse which leads to child birth. This is very important in the paper since the author tries to elaborate the sin of indulging in sexual intercourse. Page 99 annotation for the sub title ‘TRANSFORMATION OF WOMEN'S BODIES’ The major characteristic of sexual desire is suffering according to both religions and they believe that women should change their nature to men in order for them to enter the kingdom of heaven since their bodies are not holy. In order for women to transform their bodies, they should desist from being evil and they should be truthful always according to the Buddhist teachings. Paragraph 1 p. 100 Just like Buddhists, the Christian scriptures also posit to the effect that women should transform themselves to men in order for them to enter the kingdom of heaven. This paragraph is important since it helps to support the views of the author. Paragraph 2, p 100 Mary urges the disciples that they should strive to transform themselves from the world of feminity to masculinity in order for them to enjoy the kingdom of heaven. Para 3, p. 100 Both religions portray women as evil and they suggest that they should transform themselves from being preoccupied with sexuality but with spirituality. These paragraphs above are very important given that they attempt to show that both religions view women as the source of sins. Page 101 (paragraph 1-THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF FEMININE INSIGHT/WISDOM) Insight is seen as the power that can help to transform females to males so that they can enter the kingdom of heaven. Paragraph 2 also states that women should transform themselves in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. This can be achieved through insight. These two paragraphs are very important since they help us to share the same views with the author that women should transform themselves in order to be holly. Paragraph 3 Wisdom is viewed as female (Cont on page 102) Page 102 paragraph 1 counter argument However, both religions tend to view wisdom as female as reflected in the Greek name for wisdom (sophia) which is feminine in gender. This is the reason why women are referred to as mothers of living. This paragraph is very important since it tries to portray women from a positive perspective. It tries to counter the main argument advanced by the author in the paper. Paragraph 3 & 4, p. 102 rebutal Both Buddhist and Gnostic scriptures view the power of wisdom/ insight as capable of transforming people from material bondage to spirituality. However, the author refutes the counter argument since she state that women need to transform themselves in order to become holy. Summary and conclusion- significance The Buddhist and Christian scriptures posit to the effect that human beings were once perfect but they fell from grace after eating earthly food that led them to sexual intercourse which constitutes part of the dark side of life. Paragraph 1 p 103 The first paragraph tries to recap the main points discussed in the paper about the perceptions that are held by men about women. The diagram on the last page shows the trends of men’s perceptions about their female counterparts. Paragraph 2 in the second paragraph, women are portrayed as the major sources who contributed to the defectiveness of this world. Paragraph 3 presents a counter argument that tries to equate the body of men to that of a woman. In other words they are just the same. These three paragraphs summarise the main points discussed in the paper. Overall, this paper is significant since it tries to show the perceptions about women that are held by the two religions in question. Part 2 Title: Summary of the article entitled ‘Images of Women in Early Buddhism and Christian Gnosticism’ by Karen Christina In the article entitled ‘Images of Women in Early Buddhism and Christian Gnosticism’ Karen Christina suggests that although Eastern and Western religions, namely: Buddhism and Christianity in particular are viewed as different they are somehow similar in many respects. These religions are based on myths that attempt to label women as evil given that their bodies are mainly comprised of elements of sexuality that are the major causes of sin. In other words, women are viewed as corrupt and they are often viewed as the root of all evil. These myths are supported in both scriptures which argue that the disgrace of humanity from God’s love can be directly attributed to the actions of women who tested the fruits of the earth and only realised that they had sinned since they began to notice their differences in sexuality. The major problem that the author tries to address is that women have been active participants in religious activities but they are labelled as evil. In supporting these myths, both scriptures posit to the effect that human kind fell from disgrace of God after eating the fruits that were forbidden by God. The Buddhist myth posits to the effect that men’s disgrace came after he tasted the food known as ‘female.’ After tasting this food, men and women began to see their sexual differences and this led to sexual intercourse which was a sin before the Lord. The Christians on the other hand also attribute this myth to the story of Adam and Eve who tasted the forbidden fruit in Eden which led to sexual intercourse. After testing this fruit, they realised that they were naked and this was beginning of sin on earth. The evidence presented by the author in advancing her argument show that women are viewed as agents of the devil since they are responsible for driving men into committing sins that have led them to fall from humanity. The author argues that had it not been for women, the world could have remained in its perfect state that is characterised by holiness. This is the reason why Buddha decided to leave the family and leave alone in order to fulfil the dictates of Christianity. The author also states that even Christianity also states that holiness can be fully achieved if men live a life of purity as illustrated by Jesus who never engaged in sexuality throughout his life time. This is the same teaching that he was trying to impart to his disciples. According to Christina, both religions have a negative attitude towards women since they are regarded as sexual objects that were created in order to seduce men so that they can sin. According to the author, women are seen as the source of evil since they are responsible for arousing sexual feelings among the men. This directly leads to the two sexes engaging in cohabitation which is associated with child bearing. In both religions, child bearing is associated with suffering. In order to correct this anomaly where women are seen as agents of sensual behaviour, both scriptures advocate that there is need for women to transform themselves from being females to males in order for them to be able to enter the kingdom of heaven. This transformation will be based on insight and wisdom where truthfulness is regarded as a virtue in fighting evil. However, the counter argument in this particular case is that women are regarded as symbols of wisdom despite the myths that attempt to label them as temples of the evil. In both scriptures, women are seen as mothers of live and are associated with nurturing. Without women, there may not be life which we all cherish so there is need for people to rethink these myths which view women as un holly and imperfect. In other words, the major shortcoming of this article is that women are viewed as improper with regards to aspects such as sexuality but it overlooks the fact that this act is performed by two people of different sexes. Both a man and a woman indulge in sexual intercourse in order to conceive a child but at the end of the day, the blame is laid on the woman I think is innocent if man is treated as innocent. In both cases, men are exonerated in as far as the aspect of sexuality is concerned since all the blame is put on women who are believed to be seductive hence responsible for seducing men. However, the counter argument for this myth is that men should also resist women if they are perfect but this is not the case. Therefore, both men and women should be treated as the same since they play equal roles in the commission of sins such as sexual intercourse. Though women are often regarded as not perfect by both religions, their presence is important in our lives since they are associated with enlightenment and wisdom. Both religions in the above text acknowledge the significance of women in their lives. however, there is only need for women to transform themselves so that they can become perfect people like their male counterparts. Over and above, the article by Christina states that the Buddhist and Christian scriptures argues that human beings were once perfect but they fell from grace after eating food that was not allowed which led to them engaging in sexual intercourse. This constitutes part of the dark side of life. This article is comprised of overtones that show that women are not perfect in this world since they are the ones who caused humanity’s fall from grace. According to the myths of these two religions, it can be seen that women are viewed as responsible for causing men’s disgrace from God and they should be transformed to become men so that they can also be in a position to enter the Kingdom of the Lord. Read More