Beyond Patriarchal Narratives: A Comparative Feminist Examination of Women's Spiritual Agency and Gender Roles in Buddhism and Hinduism

Аннотация

The study of women's roles and spirituality within religious traditions has become a crucial area of feminist scholarship, challenging patriarchal interpretations and highlighting overlooked dimensions of spiritual experience. This article undertakes a comparative feminist analysis of women's spiritual agency and gender roles in two major Indic traditions: Buddhism and Hinduism. Drawing upon a review of scholarly literature, this study explores historical contexts, scriptural interpretations, and contemporary practices to illuminate the diverse experiences of women. While both traditions have historically presented complex and often restrictive gender norms, feminist scholarship reveals spaces of agency, powerful female deities, and the enduring spiritual contributions of women. In Buddhism, the historical struggles for the Bhikkhuni order and the symbolic power of female bodhisattvas offer unique insights. In Hinduism, the reverence for goddesses and the diverse roles of women in ritual and spiritual life provide a different lens. This comparative perspective uncovers commonalities in patriarchal challenges, highlights distinct avenues for female spiritual empowerment, and underscores the ongoing work of feminist reconstruction within these ancient faiths. Keywords: Feminism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Gender Roles, Spirituality, Women's Agency, Comparative Religion.