The 800-year-old Tibetan Drukpa lineage of Buddhism - based in Nepal and practised in Bhutan and India - is empowering women, reviving the ancient tradition of women masters and monks that the Buddha encouraged.
Its head, the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, has set a precedent by giving the order to its first ever woman master.
‘In Tibetan Buddhism, we have no tradition of ‘bikshunis’ or women monks who practise the rigours of the faith and become masters on a par with men. But Buddhism is a very modern religion,’ the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, who was born in Himachal Pradesh, told IANS in the Nepal capital.
‘Buddha Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) treated his disciples equally, irrespective of gender.
Dedicated to the women who have graced the pages of history, from ancient to modern times.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Female Buddhist Masters
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