Feminine dharma: Buddhist women and duty to the earth

Abstract

Buddhism has long been acknowledged for its concern with the welfare of all beings and its concentration on the continued care of the natural world. Buddhist philosophy offers a sense of connection between oneself and all other beings of the earth, and a compassion for this relationship. Dharma, or the teachings of the Buddha, places an emphasis on one's responsibility to one's own path, others' well-being, and the world, but what about the feminine voice within the tradition? Does the message of universal compassion, interconnectedness, and dharma change through the perspective of a woman? This paper will examine the question of how women within the Buddhist tradition have reformulated basic Buddhist principles to engage one of the largest problems facing humanity today—the ecological crisis and the degradation of the natural environment. Through collective efforts of Buddhist women, an emphasis has been placed on our duty to preserve and protect the natural environment. Along with this sense of dharma, women of the Buddhist tradition are employing both Engaged Buddhism and Ecofeminism to reunite strong Buddhist principles with a compassionate concern for the integrity of the world.