Women Equality in the Major World Religions

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Women Equality in the Major World Religions
A Comprehensive Overview

• Author The Project Naad Team

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Contents

• Introduction and Presentation Format
• Indian / Chinese Religion Focus
• Equality In Hinduism
• Equality in Jainism
• Equality in Buddhism
• Equality in Taoism
• Abrahamic Religion Focus
• Equality in Islam
• Equality in Christianity
• Conclusion so far
• Equality in Sikhism
• Questions

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Introduction

• Our world has been and still is dominated by men
  in all forms including
• Politically
• Socially
• Economically
• Spiritually
• Legally

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Presentation Focus

• This presentation will focus solely on the status
  of women in world religions from the following 4
  sources
• Scriptural quotations
• The sayings and actions of the Prophets /
  Messiahs / Avtaars / Gurus as recorded by
  accepted records
• Famous women through history
• Current examples of famous women and current
  position / rights of women

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Presentation Format

• All the focus points for each faith will be
  grouped using the following traffic light system
• Against Equality
• Neutral
• For Equality
• Each faith group will have a summary with regards
  to its position on equality between men and women

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Hinduism Basic Facts

• Hinduism Facts
• Age of Religion 5000 years
• Number of followers 850 million
• Scriptures are divided into 2 categories Sruti
  which is divine revelation and includes only
• 108 Upanishads
• 4 Vedas (Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva)
• and Smriti which are written to explain the Sruti
  writings. The works include
• 18 Main Puranas
• Bhagwad Gita, The Mahabharata, The Ramayana
• Yogasutras of Sage Patanjali
• Manu Smriti

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 1
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• God is described as both Male and Female which
  implies both are equal
• Scripture Ekakshara Upanishad 
• Translated by Dr. A. G. Krishna Warrier 
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/EkaksharaUpanishad.htm
• Thou alone art the woman, the man again. Thou
  art the boy and the girl. Thou art the ordainer,
  the King Varuna, the Year, Aryama, the all."

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 2
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• Ability for both men and women to attain
  salvation
• Scripture Bhasma-Jabala Upanishad 
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/bhasmajabalaupanishad.ht
  m
• By performing My Abhisheka, he attains My
  Sayujya state. Nothing exists other than Myself.
  I initiate all with the Taraka Mantra. Those who
  want Mukti should live at Banares. I will take
  care of them. I am the Lord of Brahma, Vishnu and
  Rudra. The most corrupt man or woman will attain
  Moksha, if he or she dies at Banares. Other
  sinners will be fried in burning pits of live
  coals after death. Therefore, everybody should
  try to live at Banares which is My Pranalinga
  Itself.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 3

• God is again described as having 2 different
  facets, both of which are worthy of veneration
  and praise.
• Scripture Rudra-Hridaya Upanishad
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/RudraHridayaUpanishad.ht
  m
• Rudra is man. Uma is woman. Prostrations to Him
  and Her. Rudra is Brahma. Uma is Sarasvati.
  Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Vishnu. Uma
  is Lakshmi. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is
  Sun. Uma is shadow. Prostrations to Him and Her.
  Rudra is moon. Uma is star. Prostrations to Him
  and Her. Rudra is day. Uma is night. Prostrations
  to Him and Her. Rudra is Yajna. Uma is Vedi.
  Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Agni, Uma
  is Svaha. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is
  Veda. Uma is Sastra.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 4
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• Nature as described as pairs. One needs to exist
  for the other to exist.
• Scripture Savitri Upanishad
• Translated by Dr. A. G. Krishna Warrier
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/SavitriUpanishad.htm 
• The moon is Savitar and stars are Savitri. Where
  there is the moon, there are the stars (and vice
  versa) these two are twin sources. Man is
  Savitar, woman is Savitri. Where there is a man
  there is a woman and vice versa. They form one
  pair of sources.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 5
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• Women are not to be despised
• Scripture The Chandogya Upanishad
• Translated by Swami Swahananda
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/chandogyaupanishad.htm
• The Vamadevya Saman is woven in a couple. He who
  thus knows this Vamadevya Saman as woven in a
  couple becomes one of the couple and procreates.
  He reaches the full length of life, lives
  gloriously, becomes great with offspring and
  cattle, and great also with fame. His holy vow is
  that he should not despise any woman.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 6

• Women must be honoured to ensure the gods are
  happy, to maintain a family unit and for
  happiness
• Scripture Manu Smriti, Chapter 3
• http//www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu03.htm
• 55. Women must be honoured and adorned by their
  fathers, brothers, husbands, and brothers-in-law,
  who desire (their own) welfare.
• 56. Where women are honoured, there the gods are
  pleased but where they are not honoured, no
  sacred rite yields rewards.
• 57. Where the female relations live in grief,
  the family soon wholly perishes but that family
  where they are not unhappy ever prospers.
• 58. The houses on which female relations, not
  being duly honoured, pronounce a curse, perish
  completely, as if destroyed by magic.
• 59. Hence men who seek (their own) welfare,
  should always honour women on holidays and
  festivals with (gifts of) ornaments, clothes, and
  (dainty) food.
• 60. In that family, where the husband is pleased
  with his wife and the wife with her husband,
  happiness will assuredly be lasting.
• 61. For if the wife is not radiant with beauty,
  she will not attract her husband but if she has
  no attractions for him, no children will be
  born.
• 62. If the wife is radiant with beauty, the
  whole house is bright but if she is destitute of
  beauty, all will appear dismal.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 7
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• Mother to be treated as God
• Scripture Taittiriya Upanishad
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/taittiriyaupanishad.htm
• There should be no error in the duties towards
  the gods and manes. Let your mother be a goddess
  unto you. Let your father be a god unto you. Let
  your teacher be a god unto you. Let your guest be
  a god unto you. The works that are not
  blameworthy are to be resorted to, but not the
  others.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 8

• Women are described as evil agents of cupid
  designed to destroy men
• Scripture Yajnavalkya Upanishad
• Translated by Prof. A. A. Ramanathan
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/YajnavalkyaUpanishad.htm
   
• Having (attractive) tresses and putting on
  collyrium, women, difficult to touch but pleasing
  to the eyes are (verily) the flames of the fire
  of sin and they burn men as though they were
  straw. Women pleasing and cruel, are the fuel for
  the hell-fires, that inflame even at a distance
  and though juicy (loveable) are devoid
  of moisture (flavour). Silly women are the nets
  spread by the hunter called Cupid to entangle the
  bodies of men in the form of birds. Woman is the
  bait stuck in the fish-hook at the string of evil
  propensity to catch men in the form of fish that
  are in the pond of worldly life and that are
  active in the mud of the mind. Enough of women to
  me, forever, who are the strong caskets (to
  preserve) all gems of evil and are the chains of
  misery. He who has a woman with him has desire
  for enjoyment where is the scope for enjoyment
  to one who is without woman ? Discarding woman is
  discarding worldly life one shall be happy after
  abandoning worldly life.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 9

• Having sex with a low caste women is considered a
  sin
• Scripture Kali-Santarana Upanishad 
• Translated by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/KaliSantaranaUpanishad.h
  tm
• Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare
  Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.
  These sixteen names (words) are destructive of
  the evil effects of Kali. No better means than
  this is to be seen in all the Vedas. These
  (sixteen names) destroy the Avarana (or the
  centripetal force which produces the sense of
  individuality) of Jiva surrounded by the sixteen
  Kalas (rays). Then like the sphere of the sun
  which shines fully after the clouds (screening
  it) disperse, Parabrahman (alone)
  shines."Narada asked O Lord, what are the
  rules to be observed with reference to it ?" To
  which Brahma replied that there were no rules
  for it. Whoever in a pure or an impure state,
  utters these always, attains the same world of,
  or proximity with, or the same form of,
  or absorption into Brahma. Whoever utters three
  and a half Crores (or thirty-five millions) times
  this Mantra composed of sixteen names (or words)
  crosses the sin of the murder of a Brahmana. He
  becomes purified from the sin of the theft of
  gold. He becomes purified from the sin
  of cohabitation with a woman of low caste. He is
  purified from the sins of wrong done to Pitris,
  Devas and men. Having given up all Dharmas, he
  becomes freed at once from all sins. He is at
  once released from all bondage. That he is at
  once released from all bondage is the Upanishad.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 10

• This Upanishad encourages the practice of looking
  at women as dead beings to avoid attraction
• Scripture Varaha Upanishad
• Translated by K. Narayanasvami Aiyar 
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/VarahaUpanishad.htm
• That Paramahamsa (ascetic) who, though living in
  the world, keeps aloof from human congregation as
  from serpent, who regards a beautiful woman as a
  (living) corpse and the endless sensual objects
  as poison and who has abandoned all passion and
  is indifferent towards all objects is no other
  than Vasudeva, (viz.,) myself.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 11

• Women are regarded as sin traps who will bring
  misery to men
• Scripture Maha Upanishad 
• Translated by Dr. A. G. Krishna Warrier 
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/MahaUpanishad.htm
• What is auspicious about woman a puppet of
  flesh moved by a machine in the cage of the
  body having nerves, bones and knots ? Why are
  you deluded separate the skin, flesh, blood and
  tears and then look at the body. Is it attractive
  ? The pearl necklace on the breast is like the
  current of Ganga on Meru (fleeting and ephemeral)
  the same breast is eaten by dogs at the due
  time like a lump of food, in the cemetery and
  corners of the directions. Women are the flame of
  sin, have the soot of hair, pleasing to the eye
  but not to be touched they burn man like grass.
  Women are the fuel lovely, yet harmful, of the
  fires of all blazing at a distance whether they
  have taste (attachment) or not. Women are the
  traps to catch the birds men, spread by the
  hunter, Manmatha, the lump of bait, the string of
  wickedness to men who are the fish in the pond of
  birth (life) and moving in the mud of mind. I
  will have none of this woman who is the basket of
  all defects gems the chain of misery. Only he
  with a woman has desire for enjoyment where is
  enjoyment for one who has no woman ? Giving up
  women means giving up the world by this one
  shall be happy.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 12

• Speaking with a low caste woman is regarded as a
  hindrance to Heaven
• Scripture Sannyasa Upanishad
• Translated by Prof. A. A. Ramanathan 
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/SannyasaUpanishad.htm
• If one sorely afflicted recovers, renunciation
  in the prescribed order should be embraced. (An
  ascetic) shall not converse with a low caste
  woman, one fallen from virtue, and a woman in he
  courses. The ascetic has no worship of gods, nor
  witnessing (temple) festivals. The goal of
  asceticism is not one (and the same) heaven. The
  sorely afflicted and the Kutichaka ascetics gain
  the worlds Bhur and the Bhuvas respectively. The
  Bahudaka ascetic (gains) heaven (Svarga). The
  Hamsa ascetic, the world of truth (Satya-loka).
  The Turiyatita and the Avadhuta ascetics attain
  supreme bliss in themselves by deeply meditating
  on the true nature of the Self according to the
  maxim of the wasp.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 13

• Women are to be regarded as poison
• Scripture Narada-Parivrajaka Upanishad
• Translated by Prof. A. A. Ramanathan 
• http//www.astrojyoti.com/NaradaParivrajakaUpanish
  ad.htm
• On seeing a young handsome woman (he) becomes
  inflamed with passion, and drinking liquor he
  becomes intoxicated. Therefore he shall avoid
  from afar a woman who is poison to the eye.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 14

• Women are regarded as undisciplined with little
  intellect
• Scripture Rig Veda
• http//www.comparative- religion.com/hinduism/veda
  s/rig_veda_mandala8.php
• 15 O thou Most Lofty One, accept our laud as
  nearest to thine heart. May our libations be most
  sweet to make thee glad, O Soma-drinker, Heavenly
  Lord.16 Neither in thy decree nor mine, but in
  another's he delights,-The man who brought us
  unto this.17 Indra himself hath said, The mind
  of woman brooks not discipline,Her intellect
  hath little weight.18 His pair of horses,
  rushing on in their wild transport, draw his
  carHigh-lifted is the stallion's yoke.19 Cast
  down thine eyes and look not up. More closely set
  thy feet. Let none see what thy garment veils,
  for thou, a Brahman, hast become a dame.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 15

• A menstruating women is considered bad
• Scripture Yajur Veda, Kanda 2, Prapathaka V
• http//www.comparative-religion.com/hinduism/vedas
  /yajur_veda_kanda2.php
• He replied, 'From pruning shall more (shoots)
  spring up for you.' Therefore from the pruning of
  trees more (shoots) spring up, for that was what
  they chose as a boon. They took a third part of
  his guilt, it became sap therefore one should
  not partake of sap, for it is the colour of
  guilt. Or rather of the sap which is red or which
  comes from the pruning one should not partake
  4, but of other sap at will. He appealed to a
  concourse of women, 'Take the third of my guilt.'
  They said, 'Let us choose a boon let us obtain
  offspring from after the menses let us enjoy
  intercourse at will up to birth.' Therefore women
  obtain offspring from after the menses, and enjoy
  intercourse at will up to birth, for that was
  what they chose as a boon. They took a third of
  his guilt, it became (a woman) with stained
  garments therefore one should not converse with
  (a woman) with stained garments 5, one should
  not sit with her, nor eat her food, for she keeps
  emitting the colour of guilt. Or rather they say,
  'Woman's food is unguent, and there fore one
  should not accept (from her) unguent, but
  anything else (can be accepted) at will.' The son
  born of intercourse with (a woman) with stained
  garments is accursed (the son born) of
  intercourse in the forest is a thief (the son
  born) of intercourse with a (woman) who turns
  away is shamefaced and retiring (the son born)
  of intercourse with a woman bathing is fated to
  drown (the son born) of one who 6 anoints
  herself has a skin disease (the son born) of one
  who combs her hair is bald and feeble (the son
  born) of one who anoints (her eyes) is blind
  (the son born) of one who cleans her teeth has
  dirty teeth (the son born) of one who cuts her
  nails has bad nails (the son born) of one who
  spins is a eunuch (the son born) of one who
  weaves ropes is unrestrained (the son born) of
  one who drinks from a leaf is drunken (the son
  born) of one who drinks from a mutilated (vessel)
  is mutilated. For three nights he should keep a
  vow and should drink from his hand or from a
  perfect vessel, to guard his offspring.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 16

• Marriage to a low caste woman is a sin,
  associates of a remarried woman are bad and a
  menstruating women should be avoided.
• Scripture Manu Smriti, Chapter 3
• http//www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu03.htm
• 16. According to Atri and to (Gautama) the son
  of Utathya, he who weds a Sudra woman becomes an
  outcast, according to Saunaka on the birth of a
  son, and according to Bhrigu he who has (male)
  offspring from a (Sudra female, alone).
• 166. A shepherd, a keeper of buffaloes, the
  husband of a remarried woman, and a carrier of
  dead bodies, (all these) must be carefully
  avoided.
• 191. But he who, being invited to a Sraddha,
  dallies with a Sudra woman, takes upon himself
  all the sins which the giver (of the feast)
  committed.
• 239. A Kandala, a village pig, a cock, a dog, a
  menstruating woman, and a eunuch must not look at
  the Brahmanas while they eat.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 17

• Menstruating women considered bad, sex with a
  women is considered impure and women should not
  be allowed independence.
• Scripture Manu Smriti, Chapter 4
• http//www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu04.htm
• 41. For the wisdom, the energy, the strength,
  the sight, and the vitality of a man who
  approaches a woman covered with menstrual
  excretions, utterly perish.
• 205. A Brahmana must never eat (a dinner given)
  at a sacrifice that is offered by one who is not
  a Srotriya, by one who sacrifices for a multitude
  of men, by a woman, or by a eunuch.
• 144. He who has vomited or purged shall bathe,
  and afterwards eat clarified butter but if (the
  attack comes on) after he has eaten, let him only
  sip water bathing is prescribed for him who has
  had intercourse with a woman.
• 147. By a girl, by a young woman, or even by an
  aged one, nothing must be done independently,
  even in her own house.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 18

• Unequal laws for men and women including the
  death penalty, body mutilation and no property
  allowed
• Scripture Manu Smriti, Chapter 8
• http//www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu08.htm
• 368. A man (of) equal (caste) who defiles a
  willing maiden shall not suffer the amputation of
  his fingers, but shall pay a fine of two hundred
  (panas) in order to deter him from a repetition
  (of the offence).
• 369. A damsel who pollutes (another) damsel must
  be fined two hundred (panas), pay the double of
  her (nuptial) fee, and receive ten (lashes with
  a) rod.
• 370. But a woman who pollutes a damsel shall
  instantly have (her head) shaved or two fingers
  cut off, and be made to ride (through the town)
  on a donkey.
• 371. If a wife, proud of the greatness of her
  relatives or (her own) excellence, violates the
  duty which she owes to her lord, the king shall
  cause her to be devoured by dogs in a place
  frequented by many.
• 416. A wife, a son, and a slave, these three are
  declared to have no property the wealth which
  they earn is (acquired) for him to whom they
  belong.
• 417. A Brahmana may confidently seize the goods
  of (his) Sudra (slave) for, as that (slave) can
  have no property, his master may take his
  possessions.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 19

• Women should be kept in dependence
• Scripture Manu Smriti, Chapter 9
• http//www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu09.htm
• 1. I will now propound the eternal laws for a
  husband and his wife who keep to the path of
  duty, whether they be united or separated.
• 2. Day and night woman must be kept in
  dependence by the males (of) their (families),
  and, if they attach themselves to sensual
  enjoyments, they must be kept under one's
  control.
• 3. Her father protects (her) in childhood, her
  husband protects (her) in youth, and her sons
  protect (her) in old age a woman is never fit
  for independence.

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Hinduism Scripture Quotes 20

• Women were encouraged to practice Sati (burning
  of the widow on the funeral pyre)
• Scripture Vishnu Purana
• http//www.dharmakshetra.com/literature/puranas/VI
  SHNU.htm
• Many years ago there used to be a king known as
  Shatadhanu. His wife Shaivya was a religious
  woman. Together, they used to pray to Vishnu, on
  the banks of the river Bhagirathi. They were not
  interested in other things. One day a fraudulent
  teacher came to them. Shatadhanu spoke to this
  person, but Shaivya did not. Some years later,
  Shatadhanu died and Shaivya also died with him on
  the funeral pyre.
• King Janaka was performing an ashvamedha
  sacrifice. The peacock had a bath at the time of
  the sacrifice. When Shaivya reminded the peacock
  of its earlier life, it died. It was now born as
  the son of Janaka and Shaivya agreed to marry
  him. After Janaka died, his son became the ruler
  of the kingdom of Videha. In this life Shatadhanu
  performed many sacrifices and gave many alms. He
  had several sons and ruled the kingdom and the
  earth well. When he died, Shaivya again died on
  the funeral pyre with him. Husband and wife went
  to heaven.
• Arjuna found the dead bodies of Krishna, Balarama
  and other important Yadavas and performed their
  shraddha ceremonies. Krishnas eight major wives
  died on Krishnas funeral pyre. Revati did the
  same on Balaramas . Urgasena, Rohini, Devaki and
  Vasudeva also entered a fire. The others left
  Dvaraka with Arjuna. As soon as Krishna died, the
  parijata tree and the assembly hall named
  Sudharma returned to heaven. The kali era began.
  And the city of Dvaraka was swallowed up by the
  sea, with the exception of Krishnas own
  dwelling.

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Hinduism Women Sages and God as Female

• There were 407 Sages associated with the
  revelation of Rig Veda, of which 17 were women
• In Hinduism, all power, Shakti, is female and is
  the divine feminine power found in everything.
• The Vedic pantheon of Gods includes a substantial
  number of female goddesses. There are beautiful
  hymns to Usha, the dawn, imagined as an alluring
  young woman
• Beautous daughter of the sky!Hold they ruddy
  light on high,Grant us wealth and grant us
  day,Bring us food and morning's ray.White-robed
  goddess of the morning sky,Bring us light, let
  night's deep shadows fly.

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Hinduism women priests

• Women can become priests in Hindi Dharma

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Hinduism Examples of Famous Hindu Women in
History

• Gargi, the wise and learned daughter of Rishi
  (sage) Vachaknu, was known as Brahmavadini
• Akka Mahadevi also known as Akka (elder sister)
  Mahadevi was a 12th century religious poet, much
  like Meera. She devoted her life to the worship
  of Lord Shiva.
• Mira Bai was a female saint and poetdDrenched in
  the color of love to Sri Krishna, Mira was a well
  known devotee of God n the 16th century
• Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar ruled the Holkar kingdom
  from 1694-1766. Her rule became proverbial for
  justice and wisdom.
• Queen of Jhansi - Lakshmi Bai led an uprising
  against a takeover of her homeland by the
  British. She became a heroine and a symbol of
  resistance to the British rule.
• Rani Avantibai raised an army of four thousand
  men and led it herself against the British in
  1857
• Sarojini Naidu was a freedom fighter and the
  first Indian woman as Governor of West Bengal
  after the partition.
• Sri Sarada Devi was born in Bengal in 1853 to
  devout Brahmin parents. In Calcutta she became
  known as the Holy Mother and gave spiritual
  instruction and initiation to many people.
• Bhagini Nivedita inspired people in all walks of
  life through her lectures and writings
• Mother Mirra developed Integral Yoga

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Hinduism Examples of Modern Hindu Women

• Today there are plenty of Hindu women role models
  is all spheres of
• life including
• Political
• Indra Ghandi Prime Minister of India
• Spiritual
• Sharda Devi, The Mother, Anandamayi,
  Amritanandmayi Devi, Shree Maa, Gurumayi
  Chidvilasananda, Ma Yoga Shakti
• Academic
• Shakuntala Devi - holds an undisputed place in
  the Guinness Book of Records for multiplying in
  1980 two randomly chosen 13-digit numbers and
  giving the correct answer in 28 seconds.

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Hinduism - Summary

• Pros
• Hindus worship both male and female aspects of
  God
• Both men and women can attain salvation
• Mother to be treated as god
• Wife is a key for a happy family unit
• Cons
• Women are considered as sin traps for men
• Menstruating women are considered impure
• Women are considered to have little intellect and
  discipline
• It is encouraged to think of a woman as dead
• Unequal laws for women regarding death penalty,
  body mutilation and property
• Low caste women are bad in general
• Women to be kept in dependence
• Sati (burning of widow on funeral pyre)
  sanctioned since the time of Krishna as something
  honourable

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Jainism Basic Facts

• Jainism Facts
• Age of Religion 2600 years
• Number of followers 5 million
• There are twenty-four great Jaina teachers. The
  last Jina was Vardhamana also known as Lord
  Mahavira.
• The primary scripture of the Jains are called
  Agams and are compiled into twelve separate
  parts, known as the dwadashangi (twelve
  parts).The scriptures include
• Acharang,

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Jainism Scripture Quotes 1
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• Same rules for monks and nuns
• Scripture THE KALPA SUTRA OF BHADRABAHU - RULES
  FOR YATIS
• http//www.jainworld.com/book/kalpa_sutra/kalpa11.
  htm
• During the Paggusan, c. (see 32, down to)
  tree he is not allowed to pass there his time
  with the food he had collected before. But he
  should first eat and dring his pure (food and
  drink), then rub and clean his alms bowl, and,
  putting his things together, he should, while the
  sun has not yet set, go to the place where he is
  lodged but he is not allowed to pass the night
  in the former place. (36) During the Paggusan,
  c. (see 32, down to) tree. (37) It is not
  allowed that there at the same place should stand
  together one monk and one nun, nor one monk and
  two nuns, nor two monks and one nun, nor two
  monks and two nuns. But if there is a fifth
  person, a male or female novice, or if that place
  can be seen (by those who pass) of doors open on
  it, then they are allowed to stand there
  together. (38) During the Paggusan, c. (see
  32, down to) tree. It is not allowed that there
  at the same place should stand together a monk
  and a lay woman, c. (through the four cases as
  in 28). But if there is a fifth person, a
  Sthavira or a Sthavirâ or if that place can be
  seen (by those who pass) or doors open on it,
  then they are allowed to stand there together.
  The same rule applies to a nun and a layman. (39)

34
Jainism Scripture Quotes 2
support

• The following 8 virtues are called the mother
  precepts, acknowledging the beautiful attributes
  of a mother
• Scripture SamanSuttam, Samiti-Guptisutra
• http//www.jainworld.com/scriptures/samansuttam26.
  asp
• (A) Asta-Pravacana-Mata - Eight Mother Precepts
  Vigilance in walk, speech, begging alms,
  receiving and keeping down of things and
  excreting are five Samitis (acts of carefulnes)
  control of mind, control of speech and control of
  body (i.e. actions) are three guptis. All are
  eight in number. (384)

35
Jainism Scripture Quotes 3

• The company is women is considered bad. However
  it also mentions that some women are goddesses on
  Earth
• Scripture SamanSuttam, 9. Dharmasutra
• http//www.jainworld.com/scriptures/samansuttam9.a
  sp
• He observes the most difficult but pious virtue
  of celibacy, who does not entertain evil thoughts
  even after looking at all the organs of woman.
  (112)
• Just as a jar made of lac (sealing wax) when
  placed near fire soon gets melted and perished.
  Similarly a monk who moves in the company of
  women looses his character. (113)
• One, who overcomes desires for association with
  women, can overcome other temptations of his life
  as easily as a person, who has crossed an ocean,
  can easily cross the river Ganges. (114)
• Just as women become censurable by men observing
  celibacy, similarly men become censurable by
  women observing celibacy. (115)
• But there are women endowed with stern character,
  renowned far and wide, who are goddesses on this
  earth and are even adorned by gods. (116)
• The sexual fire fed by the trees of desires can
  burn the forest of the three world, one is
  blessed whose grass of youthful life remains
  unburnt by this fire. (117)

Does not support
36
Jainism Scripture Quotes 4

• Women should be avoided by males if they want to
  obtain salvation to avoid sexual thoughts in the
  mind
• Scripture Prashmartiprakranam, Ath
  Aacharadhikar ll8ll 
• http//www.jainworld.com/book/prasamarati_prakaran
  a/PP24.htm
• Alms should be accepted in accordance with the
  rules (prescribed in Acaranga) that place is to
  be used to sleep which is disassociated from
  women, animals, eunuch carefulness (Lit. purity)
  must be maintained in respect of walking,
  talking, clothing, utensils, procurement of
  provisions and taking food (and) (monk) should
  choose right place to dwell, to perform
  meditatihttp//www.jainworld.com/book/prasamarati_
  prakarana/PP24.htmon (or study), for evacuating
  bowels, etc and (he) should be detached from
  sounds and beauty (form).  He (monk) should serve
  (other monks) in reciprocal manner.  He should
  have firm faith in five great vows and must be
  completely free from all kinds of attachments
  (and) this code of conduct for monks narrated in
  eighteen thousand words (in Acaranga) observed in
  due order roots out the attachment etc. and for
  him (that monk) who is whole-heartedly engrossed
  in observing the teachings described in Acaranga,
  there is never any slit of time, where he will
  meet with defeat.  116-119. 

Does not support
37
Jainism Scripture Quotes 5

• Women are not considered capable of salvation due
  to their menstrual cycle, their inherent nature
  and as because they are advised to wear clothing
  (which will hinder any opportunity of salvation)
• Scripture Pravachansara
• http//www.jainworld.com/book/pravachansara/index.
  htm
• 6. The religion preached by great saints (i.e.,
  the Tirthankaras) does not aim at (happiness etc.
  in) this or the next world (but only at
  liberation) then how is it that, in this
  religion, women are prescribed an alternative
  ascetic emblem consisting of clothing etc.)?
•  7. In fact, liberation is not said to be
  possible for women in that very birth therefore
  an alternative (ascetic) emblem is prescribed for
  women befitting them.
•  8. The nature of these (viz., women) is
  naturally full of negligence (Pramada), and hence
  they are designated as pramada therefore these
  women (pramada) are said to be plentifully
  negligent.   
• 9. As a matter of fact, women are liable to
  infatuation, aversion, fear and disgust in their
  mind (there is) crookedness of a varied type
  therefore they cannot attain liberation (in that
  very birth).
• 10. There is not a single woman, in the whole
  world who is without even one of these above
  faults their limbs are not  closed (?)
  (samudam), and hence they need clothing.
•  11. In their case there is always the mental
  mobility and fickleness and the periodical oozing
  of blood (at the time of monthly course) wherein
  grow subtle human organisms. 12 There is said to
  be the growth of subtle organisms in the female
  organ of generation, in between their breasts and
  in the parts of their naval and armpit then how
  can self-control be possible for them?
•  13. Women cannot effect (complete) exhaustion
  of Karmas, even though they are pure in faith,
  are endowed with scriptural study and practise a
  severe course of conduct.
•  14. Therefore the Jinas have prescribed for
  them an emblem befitting their nature (i.e.,
  consisting of clothing etc.) those, that are
  endowed with family, form and age and practise
  that course, are called nuns (sramani).

Does not support
38
Jainism Scripture Quotes 6

• Women are enjoined to wear a minimum 1 piece of
  clothing with which they may not obtain
  emancipation
• Scripture Ashta Pahuda, Acharya Kund Kund  
• http//www.jainworld.com/scriptures/ashtapahuda2.a
  sp
• 20. One who observes the five great vows, and
  the three restraints (of thought, word and deed)
  is a sanyat (a man of self-control) without
  ties, he is on the way to emancipation and is
  adorable. 21. The second class of insignia is
  said to be that of a holy layman (allowed only a
  loin-cloth) who wanders about to beg for food and
  eats it off a leaf, cautious in speech or keeping
  silent. 22. The insignia for women are taking
  only one meal (in the day) putting on one piece
  of clothing even for a recluse and eating with
  clothing on. 23. Even a Tirthankara cannot
  achieve perfection with clothing according to
  the Jina's scripture, nudity is the one path to
  emancipation the rest are all wrong paths.

Does not support
39
Jainism Scripture Quotes 7

• Women are given the same status as animals and
  immoral people
• Scripture Ashta Pahuda, Acharya Kund Kund
• http//www.jainworld.com/scriptures/ashtapahuda4.a
  sp
• 56. (They) endure distress and hardships and
  always live in uninhabited places, using a stone
  slab, piece of wood or bare ground for all
  purposes. 57. Company not kept with animals,
  women, and sexless and immoral persons, wicked
  stories avoided and (time spent in) study and
  meditation, such is renunciation said to be.
  58. Purified by austerity, the (main) vows and
  virtue, purified by righteous living and
  righteous faith, purified by (other) pure
  attributes, such is renunciation said to be.
  59. Thus has been described briefly according
  to the Jina's path (renunciation) full of the
  virtue of self-realisation, purified highly by
  right faith, and free from possessions.

Does not support
40
Jainism Scripture Quotes 8

• Teaching and educating women is considered to be
  a road to hell
• Scripture Ashta Pahuda, Acharya Kund Kund
• http//www.jainworld.com/scriptures/ashtapahuda7.a
  sp
• 18. One who, devoid of true renunciation, feels a
  great deal of affection for house-holders and
  disciples, lacks (propriety of) conduct is a
  beast and not holy man. 19. With such
  activities, a recluse though always living among
  saints and possessed of great learning is one
  with a lost soul, not a holy man. 20. One who,
  winning the confidence of womenfolk, imparts
  instruction to them in faith, knowledge and
  conduct is also verily fallen and degraded one
  with soul lost, not a holy man. 21. He who
  always takes food at the house of a flirt,
  flatters her and nourishes his body acquires a
  childish nature a lost soul, not a holy man.
  22. Thus has been stated Linga Pahuda as
  preached by all the Enlightened ones who-ever
  follows it assiduously reaches the highest
  status.

Does not support
41
Jainism - Summary

• Pros
• Qualities of a mother are regarded highly
• Rules for Yatis are the same for men and women
• Some women are regarded as goddesses on Earth
• Cons
• A menstruating women is considered bad
• Women are given the same status as animals and
  immoral people
• Teaching and educating women is considered bad
  for a male
• Women are enjoined to wear 1 piece of clothing
  which will automatically close the door of
  salvation
• Women should generally be avoided if a male is
  looking for emancipation

42
Buddhism Basic Facts

• Buddhism Facts
• Age of Religion 2500 years
• Number of followers 376 million
• Teachings focus on the Buddha (the enlightened
  one)
• Buddhist scriptures vary according to the
  particular type of Buddhism and include
• Tripitaka which is the main scripture for
  Theravada and Mahayana
• The Tibetian Canan consists of 2 parts including
  the bKángjur ("Translation of the Word of the
  Buddha") and the bStan-'gyur ("Translations of
  the Teachings")
• The Chinese Canon is called the Ta-ts'ang-ching
  or "Great Scripture Store and consists of 1076
  texts in 480 cases.
• The Pali canon is the complete scripture
  collection of the Theravada school. It is called
  the Tipitaka or "Three Baskets" because it
  includes the Vinaya Pitaka or "Basket of
  Discipline," the Sutta Pitaka or "Basket of
  Discourses," and the Abhidhamma Pitaka or "Basket
  of Higher Teachings".
• There are 9 main Mahayanist Sutras called the 9
  Dharmas which include Prajna paramita,
  Saddharma-Pundarika, Lalita-Vistara, Lankavatara,
  Suvarna-Prabhasa, Ganda-Vyuha, Tathagata-Guhyaka,
  Samadhiraja, Dasabhumisvara)

43
Buddhism Scripture Quotes 1

• Buddhist Nuns had achieved Nirvana and their
  incarnation as a woman was to help inferior
  living beings.
• Scripture Tathagata's Unimaginable State Sutra
• http//www2.fodian.net/old/English/301.html
• Moreover, hundred billions of Bodhisattvas
  appeared as Sravakas and came to join the
  congregation. The names of their leaders are
  Shariputra, Maha-Maudgalyayana, Subhuti, Rahula,
  Ajnata-Kaundinya, Maha-Kasyapa, Upali, Aniruddha,
  Revata, Ananda, Devadatta, Upandanda, and so on.
  All of them had practiced the Six-Paramitas for a
  long time, and had already been very close to the
  Bodhi of Buddhas. In order to enlighten living
  beings, they appeared as Sravakas in this defiled
  world.There were also innumerable Bhikshunis
  headed by Maha-Prajapati. All of them had already
  accomplished the meritorious virtues of great and
  wise men, in order to soothe the inferior living
  beings, they appeared as women.

support
44
Buddhism Scripture Quotes 2

• Both men and women are given the opportunity to
  listen to religious discourse
• Scripture Brahma Net Sutra
• http//www.purifymind.com/BrahmaNetSutra.htm
• 40. Discrimination in Conferring the PreceptsA
  disciple of the Buddha should not be selective
  and show preference in conferring the Bodhisattva
  precepts. Each and every person can receive the
  precepts -- kings, princes, high officials,
  Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, laymen, laywomen, libertines,
  prostitutes, the gods in the eighteen Brahma
  Heavens or the six Desire Heavens, asexual
  persons, bisexual persons, eunuchs, slaves, or
  demons and ghosts of all types. Buddhist
  disciples should be instructed to wear robes and
  sleep on cloth of a neutral color, formed by
  blending blue, yellow, red, black and purple dyes
  all together.

support
45
Buddhism Scripture Quotes 3

• Salvation is open for men and women
• Scripture Amitabha Sutra
• http//www.drba.org/dharma/amitabhasutra.asp
• Shariputra, what do you think? Why is it called
  Sutra which all Buddhas protect and bear in mind?
  Shariputra, if a good man or good woman hears
  this sutra and upholds it, and hears the names of
  all these Buddhas, this good man or good woman
  will also be one whom all Buddhas protect and
  bear in mind, and will attain non-retreat from
  anuttarasamyaksambodhi. Therefore, Shariputra,
  all of you should believe and accept my words and
  the words all Buddhas speak.

support
46
Buddhism Scripture Quotes 4

• The Buddha allows women to join the priesthood
  but only if they follow 8 special rules. Those
  rules involve a subordination of Bhikkhunis to
  Bhikkhus.
• Scripture Guide to TipiTaka - Pali Buddhist
  Canonical Scriptures
• http//www.buddhanet.net/ebooks_s.htm
• The venerable Ananda saw them outside the
  gateway of the Kitagara Hall, dust-laden with
  swollen feet, dejected, tearful, standing and
  weeping. Out of great compassion for the ladies,
  the Venerable Ananda interceded with the Buddha
  on their behalf and entreated him to accept them
  in the Order. The Buddha continued to stand firm
  (denied permission). But when the Venerable
  Ananda asked the Buddha whether women were not
  capable of attaining Magga and Phala Insight, the
  Buddha replied that women were indeed capable of
  doing so, provided they left the household life
  like their menfolk. Thereupon Ananda made his
  entreaties again saying that Mahapajapati had
  been of great service to the Buddha waiting on
  him as his guardian and nurse, suckling him when
  his mother died. And as women were capable of
  attaining the Magga and Phala Insight, she should
  be permitted to join the Order and become a
  bhikkhuni. The Buddha finally acceded to Anandas
  entreaties Ananda if Mahapajapati accepts eight
  special rules, Garu-Dhamma, let such acceptance
  mean her admission to the Order.

Does not support
47
Buddhism Scripture Quotes 5
Does not support

• A woman is regarded as lower than a man
• Scripture The Sutra of 42 Sections Spoken by the
  Buddha
• Translated by Upasaka Chu Chan
• http//www4.bayarea.net/mtlee/42.txt
• 36. The Buddha said "It is hard for one to
  leave the grosser forms of incarnation and be
  born a human being. "It is hard for such a one to
  escape being a woman and be born a man. "It is
  hard for such a one to be born with all his
  organs in perfect condition. "It is hard for such
  a one to be born in China. "It is hard for such a
  one to be born directly into Buddhist
  surroundings. "It is hard for such a one to come
  in contact with the Way. "It is hard for such a
  one to cultivate faith in his mind. "It is hard
  for such a one to attain to the Bodhi-heart. "it
  is hard for such a one to attain to (the state
  where) nothing is practised and nothing
  manifested."

48
Buddhism Scripture Quotes 6

• A monk should avoid talk with women to avoid
  inappropriate thoughts in the mind
• Scriptre SADDHARMA-PUNDARÎKA
• http//www.sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/lot13.htm
• 4. He ought not to court conceited men, but
  catechise such as keep to the religion. He must
  also avoid such monks as follow the precepts of
  the Arhat of the Gainas, and immoral men.
• 5. He must be constant in avoiding a nun who is
  fond of banter and chatter he must also avoid
  notoriously loose female lay devotees.
• 6. He should shun any intercourse with such
  female lay devotees as seek their highest
  happiness in this transient world. This is called
  the proper conduct of a Bodhisattva.
• 7. But when one comes to him to question him
  about the law for the sake of superior
  enlightenment, he should, at any time, speak
  freely, always firm and undaunted.
• 8. He should have no intercourse with women and
  hermaphrodites he should also shun the young
  wives and girls in families.
• 9. He must never address them to ask after their
  health. He must also avoid intercourse with
  vendors of pork and mutton.
• 10. With any persons who slay animals of various
  kind for the sake of profit, and with such as
  sell meat he should avoid having any intercourse.
• 11. He must shun the society of whoremongers,
  players, musicians, wrestlers, and other people
  of that sort.
• 12. He should not frequent whores, nor other
  sensual persons he must avoid any exchange of
  civility with them.
• 13. And when the sage has to preach for a woman,
  he should not enter into an apartment with her
  alone, nor stay to banter.
• 14. When he has often to enter a village in quest
  of food, he must have another monk with him or
  constantly think of the Buddha.

Does not support
49
Buddhism Scripture Quotes 7
Does not support

• Women are compared to evil destinies and
  suffering
• Scripture Sutra of the Merit and Virtue of the
  Past Vows of the Medicine Master
• http//www.buddhistdoor.com/OldWeb/resources/sutra
  s/medicine_sutra.htm
• "Moreover, Manjusri, if I were to speak for an
  eon or more about the great vows made by the
  World Honored One, Medicine Master Vaidurya Light
  Tathagata, when he practiced the Bodhisattva Way
  and about the merit, virtue, and adornments of
  his Buddhaland, I could not finish. That
  Buddhaland has always been completely pure there
  are no women, no evil destinies, and no sounds of
  suffering. The ground is made of vaidurya, with
  golden cords lining the roads. The city walls,
  towers, palace pavilions, studios, windows, and
  latticework are all made of the seven treasures.
  The merit, virtue, and adornments of this land
  are identical to those of the Western Land of
  Ultimate miss. "Residing in that land are two
  Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas the first is called
  Universally Radiant Sunlight, and the second,
  Universally Radiant Moonlight. They are the
  leaders among the immeasurable, uncountable hosts
  of Bodhisattvas in that land and will be the
  successors to that Buddha. They are able to
  maintain the precious treasury of the proper
  Dharma of the World Honored One, Medicine Master
  Vaidurya Light Tathagata. Therefore, Manjusri,
  all good men and women who have faith should vow
  to be born in that Buddha's land."

50
Buddhism Scripture Quotes 8

• The intellect of a mother is regarded as having
  little wisdom because they spend large amounts of
  time looking after children. However this same
  Sutra talks about the 10 types of Kindness that a
  mother gives her baby.
• Scripture Filial Piety Sutra
• Translated by Upasika Terri Nicholson
• http//www.ic.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/sutras/fme
  znbj.html
• Ananda said to the Buddha, "World Honored One,
  when men are alive in the world they adorn their
  bodies with robes, belts, shoes, hats and other
  fine attire, so that they clearly assume a male
  appearance. When women are alive, they put on
  cosmetics, perfumes, powders, and elegant
  fragrances to adorn their bodies, so that they
  clearly assume a female appearance. Yet, once men
  and women die, all that is left are their bones.
  How does one tell them apart? Please teach us how
  you are able to distinguish them."
• The Buddha answered Ananda, "If when men are in
  the world, they enter temples, listen to
  explanations of Sutras and Vinaya texts, make
  obeisance to the Triple Jewel, and recite the
  Buddha's names, then when they die their bones
  will be heavy and white in color. Most women in
  the world have little wisdom and are saturated
  with emotion. They give birth to and raise
  children, feeling that this is their duty. Each
  child relies on its mother's milk for life and
  nourishment, and that milk is a transformation of
  the mother's blood. Each child drinks one
  thousand two hundred gallons of its mother's
  milk. Because of this drain on the mother's body
  whereby the child takes milk for its nourishment,
  the mother becomes worn and haggard and so her
  bones turn black in color and are light in
  weight."

Does not support
51
Buddhism Recent Developments
support

• The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order are a
  group of Buddhists who promote a revised form of
  Buddhism in Britain (as well as other places
  around the world). They are fundamentally
  committed to gender equality as can be seen in
  the following passage
• At the heart of the FWBO we therefore find a
  unified Order of women and men everything in the
  Order is open to women and men they take the
  same ordination and vows they exercise the same
  functions at public centers they practice the
  same mediations study the same texts, and so on.
  In the FWBO we feel that no one should be
  excluded from the process of higher human
  development Enlightenment , whether on grounds
  of sex, race, colour, level of education, or
  social position.

52
Buddhism - Summary

• Pros
• Both men and women can attain salvation and
  listen to scripture
• Women can become Nuns
• There currently exist Buddhist groups which offer
  complete equality between men and women. However
  these are new modified versions of the original
  system
• Cons
• Women have traditionally been able to join the
  order as long as an extra set of rules are
  followed
• A woman is regarded lower than a man
• Monks are encouraged to avoid women to avoid
  inappropriate thoughts occurring in the mind
• Women are compared to evil destinies and
  suffering
• The Buddha considers a mother to have little
  wisdom and she spends a large proportion of her
  time looking after children

53
Taoism Basic Facts

• Taoism Facts
• Age of Religion 2500 years
• Number of followers 20 million
• The founder of Taoism is believed by many to be
  Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of
  Confucius.
• Taoist scriptures include
• Tao-te-Ching ("The Way of Power," or "The Book of
  the Way") is believed to have been written by
  Lao-Tse. It describes the nature of life, the way
  to peace and how a ruler should lead his life.
• Chuang-tzu (named after its author) contains
  additional teachings.

54
Taoism Scripture Quotes 1
support

• Men and women can both realise truth
• Scripture Hua Hu Ching
• http//www.awok.org/hua_hu_ching/
• Men and women who wish to be aware of the whole
  truth should adopt the practices of the Integral
  Way. These time-honored disciplines calm the mind
  and bring one into harmony with all things. The
  first practice is the practice of
  undiscriminating virtue take care of those who
  are deserving also, and equally, take care of
  those who are not. When you extend your virtue in
  all directions without discriminating, your feet
  are firmly planted on the path that returns to
  the Tao.
• True understanding in a person has two
  attributes awareness and action. Together they
  form a natural tai chi. Who can enjoy
  enlightenment and remain indifferent to suffering
  in the world? This is not in keeping with the
  Way. Only those who increase their service along
  with their understanding can be called men and
  women of Tao.

55
Taoism Scripture Quotes 2
support

• Women are given the responsibility of maintaining
  the family unit.
• Scripture I Ching or Book of Changes
• http//www.akirarabelais.com/i/i.html
• The foundation of the family is the relationship
  between husband and wife. The tie that hold the
  family together lies in the loyalty and
  perseverance of the wife. Her place is within,
  while that of the husband is without. It is in
  accord with the great laws of nature that husband
  and wife take their proper places. Within the
  family a strong authority is needed this is
  represented by the parents. If the father is
  really a father and the son a son, if the elder
  brother fulfills his position, and the younger
  fulfills his, if the husband is really a husband
  and the wife a wife, then the family is in order.
  When the family is in order, all the social
  relationships of mankind will be in order. Three
  of the five social relationships are to be found
  within the family-that between father and son,
  which is the relation of love, that between the
  husband and wife, which is the relation of chaste
  conduct, and that between elder and younger
  brother, which is the relation of correctness.
  The loving reverence of the son is then carried
  over to the prince in the form of faithfulness to
  duty the affection and correctness of behavior
  existing between the two brothers are extended to
  a friend in the form of loyalty, and to a person
  of superior rank in the form of deference. The
  family is society in the embryo it is the native
  soil on which performance of moral duty is made
  early through natural affection, so that within a
  small circle a basis of moral practice is
  created, and this is later widened to include
  human relationships in general.

56
Taoism Scripture Quotes 3
support

• Female energy is used to describe Tao
• Scripture Tao Te Ching
• http//www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taote.htm
• The valley spirit dies not, aye the same. The
  female mystery thus do we name. Its gate, from
  which at first they issued forth. Is called the
  root from which grew heaven and earth. Long and
  unbroken does its power remain. Used gently, and
  without the touch of pain.

57
Taoism Scripture Quotes 4

• Women are considered the weaker sex
• Scripture I Ching or Book of Changes
• http//www.akirarabelais.com/i/i.html
• These lines picture a man who has no external
  power, but who has enough strength of mind to
  bear his burden of responsibility. He has the
  inner superiority and that enable him to tolerate
  with kindliness the shortcomings of human folly.
  The same attitude is owed to women as the weaker
  sex. One must understand them and give them
  recognition in a spirit of chivalrous
  consideration. Only this combination of inner
  strength with outer reserve enables one to take
  on the responsibility of directing a larger
  social body with real success.

Does not support
58
Taoism Scripture Quotes 5

• Women should follow men
• Scripture I Ching or Book of Changes
• http//www.akirarabelais.com/i/i.html
• A woman should follow a man her whole life long,
  but a man should at all times hold to what is his
  duty at the given moment. Should he persistently
  seek to conform to the woman, it would be a
  mistake for him. Accordingly it is altogether
  right for a woman to hold conservatively to
  tradition, but a man must always be flexible and
  adaptable and allow himself to be guided solely
  by what his duty requires of him at the moment.

Does not support
59
Taoism Scripture Quotes 6

• The male is the head of the household
• Scripture I Ching or Book of Changes
• http//www.akirarabelais.com/i/i.html
• A king is the symbol of a fatherly man who is
  richly endowed in mind. He does nothing to make
  himself feared on the contrary, the whole family
  can trust him, because love governs their
  intercourse. His character of itself exercises
  the right influence. Nine at the top means His
  work commands respect.' In the end good fortune
  comes. In the last analysis, order within the
  family depends on the character of the master of
  the house. If he cultivates his personality so
  that it works impressively through the force of
  inner truth, all goes well with the family. In a
  ruling position one must of his own accord assume
  responsibility.

Does not support
60
Taoism Scripture Quotes 7

• A father is able to give his daughter in marriage
  when he deems suitable.
• Scripture I Ching or Book of Changes
• http//www.akirarabelais.com/i/i.html
• http//pacificcoast.net/wh/Index.html
• The sovereign I is T'ang the Completer. This
  ruler decreed that the imperial princesses should
  be subordinated to their husbands in the same
  manner as other women (cf. Hexagram 11, six in
  the fifth place). The emperor does not wait for a
  suitor to woo his daughter but gives her in
  marriage when he sees fit. Therefore it is in
  accord with custom for the girl's family to take
  the initiative here. We see here a girl of
  aristocratic birth who marries a man of modest
  circumstances and understands how to adapt
  herself with grace to the new situation. She is
  free of all vanity of outer adornment, and
  forgetting her rank in her marriage, takes a
  place below that of her husband, just as the
  moon, before it is quite full, does not directly
  face the sun.

Does not support
61
Taoism Basic Philosophy
support

• Ying and Yang complement each other- it worships
  femininity. You cannot have one without the
  other.
• So in this sense both the men and women are given
  high importance as they are respectively the
  opposites of one another.

62
Taoism Summary

• Pros
• Provides both men and women with an opportunity
  for salvation
• Has historically provided more equality for women
  than Buddhism or Confucianism in China
• All the religious and spiritual tools are
  available to women
• Both masculine and feminine imagery it used to
  describe the Tao
• Cons
• Men are still regarded as the head of a family
  and household
• Women are encouraged to follow their male
  partners
• Women are considered the weaker sex

63
Islam Basic Facts

• Islam Facts
• Age of Religion 1400 years
• Number of followers 1.3 Billion
• The prophet of Islam is Mohammad
• The 5 clasic Confucian scriptures include
• Qur'an (primary revealed word of God)
• Hadiths (document the traditions of Mohammad)
• Kitab Al-Salat

64
Islam Scripture Quote 1

• A woman who wants divorce must be treated with
  respect
• Scripture Quran
• http//www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/002.qmt.html
• 002.231 PICKTHAL When ye have divorced women,
  and they have reached their term, then retain
  them in kindness or release them in kindness.
  Retain them not to their hurt so that ye
  transgress (the limits). He who doeth that hath
  wronged his soul. Make not the revelations of
  Allah a laughing-stock (by your behaviour), but
  remember Allah's grace upon you and that which He
  hath revealed unto you of the Scripture and of
  wisdom, whereby He doth exhort you. Observe your
  duty to Allah and know that Allah is Aware of all
  things.
• 002.241 PICKTHAL For divorced women a provision
  in kindness a duty for those who ward off
  (evil).

support
65
Islam Scripture Quote 2
support

• The dowry of women is safeguarded and they must
  be treated with kindness.
• Scripture Quran
• http//www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/004.qmt