Gender, Buddhism and Education: Dhamma and Social Transformation Within the Theravada Tradition

Abstract

In contexts where many girls are educationally disadvantaged compared to boys, what role does Buddhism play, both in terms of maintaining gender disparity and promoting agendas for reform? In this chapter, we consider three ‘types’ of interrelated education that have a relevance to contemporary Buddhist practice and societies: the role of education within a monastic setting, the significance of religious education within lay Buddhism and the role that Buddhist education can play in social transformation. In particular, our aim will be to reflect upon the ways in which each of these types of education are gendered and the implications of this for female Buddhists, both in terms of their spiritual and their social development. While these three aspects of education are relevant across different Buddhist traditions and within different Buddhist locations, we will only consider them within Theravada Buddhism and will particularly focus on women’s experiences in Thailand and Cambodia.