Buddhism Through American Women's Eyes

This book originated at a California retreat in 8/89. It consists of essays by individual American women Buddhists as well as some discussions amongst them, including some basic Buddhist principles and personal insights: p. 57: Tsering Everest: "As we mature in our practice, we gradually stop attempting to separate mediation and real life. Eventually, we find that there is no difference between the two" and p. 59: Eko Susan Noble [Shingon priest]: "In a spirit of openness and inclusiveness, we can dispel all the ordinary value judgments that constantly propel the wheel of samsara. We become empowered by our diversity." But it also addresses sensitive feminist points: p. 53: Jacqueline Mandell: "If the word for `woman' means `lesser birth' and this word has been used for thousands of years, it has an effect on people. We need to dispel the myth that being a woman is a lower birth, not only on a societal level, but also on levels we have unconsciously internalized" and p. 129: Eko Susan Noble [Shingon priest]: "It is an open secret that it was actually women who first brought Buddhism to Japan." But, IMHO, the best part is the discussion amongst the contributors in "Chapter 12. The Monastic Experience," especially the comments of concerning changes in Buddhism: p. 129: Eko Susan Noble [Shingon priest]: "The Buddha made a statement that some of the minor precepts could be changed and certainly in Japan there have been some very radical changes...Tendai Master Saicho...felt that adherence to the full 250 precepts codified in India was inappropriate for the Japanese people" and p. 137: Bhikshuni Nora Kunli Shih: "Here in the West, the Buddhist traditions that are transmitted to us are more or less spliced together with Eastern culture...In my experience, the Asian acceptance of hierarchy is quite different from what many Western women are prepared to handle. I sometimes seriously question seriously whether this is really what the Buddha's teachings are all about...For me to prove that I am as capable as a man serves no purpose, for a man is not something that I want to be...Many useful Western ideas are not accepted simply because they are not a part of tradition and don't fit the structure...Thus it is important to consider what is of intrinsic value in the Buddha's teachings and how the teachings address the problems of today, here and now." This chapter alone is worth the read, raising its contribution to the future of Buddhism.