Budding Lotus in the West: Buddhism from an Immigrant’s Feminist Perspective

The male-centric nature of modern Buddhism—including the exclusion of women from sanghas and central texts—contradicts the Buddha’s core belief that the genders are spiritually equal, according to this fiery if scattered debut. Combing through Early Buddhist Texts (dating approximately from the first- to fourth-centuries BCE) Trần, cofounder of Cherry Blossom Sangha, a mindfulness community, paints a portrait of a Buddha who believed enlightenment was achievable for men and women. Subsequent male “redactors and authors”reinterpreted the Buddha’s teachings, claiming that only men could reach enlightenment, and requiring nuns to prostrate themselves before newly ordained monks.The author calls on Buddhist institutions, particularly in the Mahāyāna tradition—the most widespread school of Buddhism—to “take a good, hard look” at their beliefs and practices, and work to root out sexist laws and texts. While the author attempts to cover too much ground (she spends several chapters imagining what the Buddha might have to say about gun rights and abortion, for instance), her perceptive textual criticism and willingness to call out bias are refreshing. It’s a valuable contribution to the literature on Buddhism. (Sept.)