1. In the Buddhist scriptures there seems to be ambiguity in the way women are viewed — both as spiritually gifted, but also as needing to be controlled or as threats to men’s enlightenment. Using the Young “Anthology of Sacred Scriptures” show texts pointing in these two different directions. How does Fisher account for some of these negative scriptural passages? How do you explain these seeming contradictions?
2. Rita Gross argues today that there needs to be a “feminist revalorization of Buddhism” (Fisher, pp. 118-19). Explain what she means. Is her position defensible in terms of some of the ancient Buddhist scriptures (as found in the Young anthology)?
3. Would you say on the basis of Buddhist scriptures and contemporary practice that women in Buddhism have been treated better, the same, or worse than in some of the other religions studied so far in the course? Use evidence from both Young and Fisher to make your argument.
4. Fisher describes in the last part of her chapter (pp. 121-26) the attempts of several Buddhist women teachers and social reformers to make Buddhism relevant to the modern world. Using texts from the Young anthology and traditional Buddhist teachings, would you argue that these women are distorting or legitimately interpreting some of the basics of Buddhism?
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