Role+of+women+in+different+belief+systems+--+Buddhism,+Christianity,+Confucianism,+and+Hinduism

Chau Nguyen

THESIS : Before settling down in ancient societies, women were not limited in their rights. Unfortunately, the establishment of permanent settlements called for women to lose power and be limited in their high status food production. But women maintained power behind the scenes within the private sphere of their homes- managing their households, rearing their children, and giving them an education. Wives and women were actually still powerful; their power just came to be unrecognized. Religions that give evidence of women gaining a few more rights and equality include Buddhism and Christianity. On the other hand, religions that give evidence of an undermining of women's roles include Hinduism and Confucianism.


 * Buddhism- founded in India by Siddhartha Gautama after he achieved Enlightenment under a sacred bodhi tree
 * In [|Buddhism,] women were not inferior to men. Men and women are seen as equally useful.
 * Women had the fruitful role of being a wife and a good mother in making the family life a success.
 * Husbands and wives share equal responsibility and have equal dedication in their duties.
 * Women gained more rights through Buddha's work to knock down the caste system and encourage social mobility.
 * Women not restricted in education or religious freedom. Buddha saw women were also capable of realizing the Truth.


 * Christianity- originated among the Jewish followers of Jesus of Nazareth, who believed he was the Messiah
 * Role of women is of equal importance to men; all are equal in Christ.
 * Women are able to worship God together as a church family with other believers. There are many roles women can take in the church, whether it is leading a women's group or simply praying for the leaders and people of the church.
 * Have the freedom in society to become employed and earn money
 * Should still be a loving and submissive wife


 * Hinduism- polytheistic religion founded in India; developed from the Vedic religion
 * Patriarchal society with a caste system
 * Laws of Manu state, "A woman is never fit for independence." Women were to be respected as long as they were submissive.
 * Women are not able to receive an education, but instead, they are to stay home and learn domestic skills.
 * Arranged marriages as alliances between families
 * Women had no public authority, could not inherit property, and could not rise to the position of priests (brahmans).
 * Practice of[| sati] demonstrated submissiveness expected of women; widows were to throw themselves into the fire of their husbands' funeral pyre


 * Confucianism- system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius
 * China was a patriarchal society.
 * A scholar named Xiao Ma has said: "Women always have been fighting for a way out of the Confucian shadows."
 * Women at every level were to occupy a position lower than men.
 * "Admonitions for Women" by Ban Zhao taught women how to be humble and submissive towards their husbands.
 * Subservience was seen as natural and proper, but women still had the honor of being a mother.
 * Women were not allowed to become part of the bureaucracy.
 * Because of men's Confucian obsession, women were seen as very subordinate and the practice of [|foot-binding] came about.