Buddhist Women and Social Justice: Ideals, Challenges, and Achievements

Looks at Buddhist women’s activism for social change from the time of Buddha to the present day.

This book on engaged Buddhism focuses on women working for social justice in a wide range of Buddhist traditions and societies. Contributors document attempts to actualize Buddhism’s liberating ideals of personal growth and social transformation. Dealing with issues such as human rights, gender-based violence, prostitution, and the role of Buddhist nuns, the work illuminates the possibilities for positive change that are available to those with limited power and resources. Integrating social realities and theoretical perspectives, the work utilizes feminist interpretations of Buddhist values and looks at culturally appropriate means of instigating change.

“…this … is a work of socially engaged Buddhism, written by scholars who are practicing Buddhists and social activists.” — Gender, History, and Culture in the Asian Context

“This text is well worth the read particularly for those of us who are Christian and somewhat ignorant of Buddhist spirituality. It is refreshing to come to know similar journeys of those from ‘distant lands’ and to realize that what is emerging in the universe is beyond our tradition and control. The call to oneness and wholeness is deep in the heart of humanity.” — Missiology

“Karma Lekshe Tsomo has put together an extremely compelling and useful collection which forges into the newest areas of feminist Buddhist thought and action. She is uniquely positioned to speak with authority and gather a collection which gives specific insight into Buddhist practice in relation to the complex topic of gender in religion.” — Julie Gutmann, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

“The balance of theory and case studies throughout the book takes this topic in new directions. Tsomo should be congratulated warmly for putting together this important and timely contribution.” — Grace G. Burford, author of Desire, Death, and The Conflict of Ultimate Values in Theravada Buddhism

Contributors include Lin Chew, Meenakshi Chhabra, Margaret Coberly, Ranjani de Silva, Elise Anne DeVido, David N. Gellner, Paula Green, Anne C. Klein, Khandu Lama, Sarah LeVine, Kathryn L. Norsworthy, Caren I. Ohlson, Karma Lekshe Tsomo, and Diana E. Wright.