Giving Up Our Cultural Addiction

Deborah Orr

doi:10.3390/rel12100825

Abstract

This article will begin with an overview of the sources of our cultural addiction to patriarchal culture and its values in Western cultures. Of particular importance to this was the development of the daughter languages of Sanskrit with their dualistic structure. A further major source lies in the Biblical Genesis creation text and subsequent Western philosophy and theology. These things together supported the delusional consciousness which led to individual suffering and the exploitation of others and the earth. The article will then look briefly at some of this addiction’s manifestations and their effects and then explain how Buddhist practice can help with the withdrawal process and foster a ‘new’ way of life although it must be acknowledged that there are real questions as to whether Buddhist practice will be used extensively enough to do so in time to save us from ourselves.

Highlights

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
This article will begin with an overview of its sources in the development of patriarchal culture and its values, look briefly at some of its manifestations and their effects and argue that Buddhist practice can help with the withdrawal process it must be acknowledged that there are real questions as to whether this practice will be used extensively enough and in time to do so
It will be argued that Buddhist practice can provide a powerful response to patriarchy, one which can lead to a better life for all life

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. While this is a most cursory report of the popular understanding of this text it does capture the key points that are taken to indicate female inferiority and male superiority over females as the will of God. The fact that obtaining moral knowledge is an advancement in human development is not acknowledged.

Results

Conclusion