A Buddhist Goddess: Prajna ("Wisdom")

Dhr. Seven, Amber Dorrian, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Sabrina, GoddessaDay.com

Prajna Paramita, the feminine embodiment of the Dharma, the Perfection of Wisdom (a gift to Ayya Anandabodhi's Hermitage/AwakeningTruth.org)

  

There is a "Buddhist Goddess," a Sophia of the East, the embodiment and personification of perfect wisdom: Prajna-Paramita.

There are ten "perfections" (paramis or paramitas) a bodhisattva (being-striving-for-enlightenment) cultivates if s/he wishes to forgo a disciple's enlightenment for the supreme enlightenment of a non-teaching (pacceka) buddha or enlightenment with the ability to effectively teach and establish the true wheel of the Dharma to a world that has lost its way, a samma-sam-buddha.

The culmination of transcendental knowledge -- liberating insight that has transcended ego, suffering, and flux -- Prajna Paramita is the feminine “Perfection of Wisdom,” who gives birth to all buddhas. Interestingly, the Goddess of Compassion, Kwan Yin, is much more famous. But both are essential elements of a supremely enlightened teacher's attainment.

Her face is serene, having attained the freedom of enlightenment. Like Kwan Yin, she is sometimes depicted as having the many arms of a Hindu goddess (devi), which is likely the largest influence on the rise of "goddesses" as prominent subjects of reverence. For the Vedas and later Hinduism promote mono- and polytheism as ways of talking about ineffable subjects directly. There is just one GOD, Brahman, which finds expression in many gods and goddesses. And so the root of all buddhas, in this way of thinking, is no ordinary deva but a superlative one: impersonal wisdom.
 
The strange back story of the tantric Taras suggests that "goddess" is more honorific -- a divine-human hybrid suitable for ruling -- than specific to any distinction in knowledge-and-vision worthy of the Noble Ones.

These goddess-figures are usually shown holding symbols illustrating their role. Prajna Paramita is a teacher, so she is often depicted holding meditation beads (emblematic of the eternal cycles of time), a rope or Magic Lasso (like Wonder Woman's, to retrieve those who have strayed from the Path), fruit (for prosperity or path-and-fruition), a lotus (purity), a vase (abundance) and, most importantly, a book (knowledge or wisdom). 

 

Uppalavanna (frank.itlab.us)

Free hands are held in a hand-yoga gesture (mudra) signifying "teaching."

The Perfection of Wisdom sutras (prajnaparamita) are a collection of sacred texts that declare the path to liberating-insight or transcendent-wisdom (bodhi, vipassana, nyana/ñana). In the Heart Sutra, the possessor of such wisdom is Avalokiteshvara, "the one looks down upon [and hears the cries of] the world." He is taken to be or later become merciful Kwan Yin (Earth Goddess, Mother Mary, a new Saraswati or Lakshmi), but the wisdom itself is Prajna.

What came first, the sacred texts or the goddess embodying them?

Khema, foremost in wisdom (iwilliam/flickr)

Sadly, for all this talk of Prajna Paramita and Avalokita (Kwan Yin), we are deprived of knowledge of the Buddha's real-life "wisdom goddesses," as embodied in his rarely discussed chief female disciples -- KHEMA and UPPALAVANNA. And little is said about the Buddha's two mothers, Maha Pajapati (Prajābatī, who became the first Buddhist nun in history) and Maha Maya Devi.

Why are they rarely discussed? Likely due to sexism and neglect, the ancient Nun's Order (Bhikkhuni Sangha) the Buddha began as an essential element of his mission became defunct. And with that loss so went knowledge of discourses delivered to nuns -- one never reads, "O, bhikkhunis!" as the opening of any sutra when it is certain the Buddha started many discourses this way -- and delivered by these two nuns, who were as important as the wonderful chief male disciples, Sariputra and Maha Moggallana, we read about all the time.

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Nuns: an afterthought forced on the Buddha? 

That is what we have all been taught as the history (his story) of the Sangha. But what did the Buddha have to say about it? In the "Great Final-Nirvana Sutra" (DN 16), Mara Namuci quotes the Buddha to the Buddha, who agrees:

 

"For the Blessed One, O venerable sir, spoke these words to me: 'I shall not come to my final passing away, Namuci, until my bhikkhus and bhikkhunis (monks and nuns or male and female ascetics), as well aslaymen and laywomen, have come to be true disciples -- wise, well disciplined, apt and learned, preservers of the Dharma, living according to the Dharma, abiding by the appropriate conduct, and having learned the Master's word, are able to expound it, preach it, proclaim it, establish it, reveal it, explain it in detail, and make it clear; until, when adverse opinions arise, they shall be able to refute them thoroughly and well, and to preach this convincing and liberating Dharma'" (Verse 7).

• ñána: "knowledge, comprehension, intelligence, insight," a synonym for paññá (Sanskrit, prajna); see also vipassaná.
• ñána-dassana-visuddhi: "purification of knowledge and vision" [knowing and seeing], the last of the seven purifications and a name for path-knowledge (magga-ñána), i.e., the penetrating realization of the path of Stream-winning, Once-returning, Non-returning, or Arhatship [full enlightenment]. The Path of Purification (XXII) furnishes a detailed explanation of it; (see visuddhi, VII).

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Birthday card for teen girls prompts outrage

Wisdom Quarterly; Huffington Post (UK); Rzoont

Get boobs, a man, gold, and gifts -- then you'll have value and feel fulfilled.

 

(Rzoont/flickr.com)

Hallmark! Greeting card company Hallmark has apologized for the distribution of a sexist birthday card that encourages teenage girls to snag rich husbands by using their bodies. The card was spotted by @CheesyHel at her local newsstand in Hertfordshire, England, last week while she was shopping for a card for her niece. In a statement, a spokesperson for Hallmark Cards said the company was "surprised and horrified" to discover that the card is still in circulation since it has not been produced for 15 years. [This was acceptable in 1997?] More

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Were there a mountain made of solid gold, double that would not be enough to satisfy a single person. Know this about craving (trying to fill ourselves from the outside in) and live accordingly.

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Indian actress to pose for Playboy, ruin India

Huffington Post: Weird News; Wisdom Quarterly

India makes more movies than Hollywood

Sherlyn Chopra, a Bollywood film actor, will become the first woman from India to strip naked in Playboy. The 28-year-old knockout wrote to the magazine and suggested the idea herself, the BBC reported. They got back to her within a few days to accept. 

   

Fans will have to wait till the November issue circulates to get a glimpse of Chopra. A press conference earlier this week heralded the addition of a "Bollywood goddess" to the pantheon of beauties who've appeared on the pages of Hugh Hefner's magazine. 

 

India is socially conservative to a fault

But her decision to pose caused a controversy in her native India where the granddaddy of all adult magazines is banned. A critic cited by the Daily Mail wrote "one wonders if Sherlyn Chopra’s pictures wound a woman’s integrity."

  

Chopra, who has had small roles in a handful of Bollywood flicks, is unfazed by the criticism. "I have become the first Indian to pose naked for Playboy," she said to the BBC, "and nobody can take away that achievement from me," She uploaded snapshots from her tour of the famous Playboy mansions in Los Angeles to her Twitter account.

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 India tries to come to terms with its double standard in "The Dirty Picture"

as a Bollywood starlet is both made famous and condemned for being sexy.

Will gratuitous porn ruin India?

Wisdom Quarterly (COMMENTARY)

The specter of the bunny ears looms

Modern India is an amazingly conservative and sexist country. Although it creates far more movies than Hollywood, which are seen by far more people in India, there is no nudity in any of them. There is no sex, and for the longest time, there were no overt kisses, although both acts were implied. Dancing is celebrated and often serves as a substitute just as it has in many places around the world (including the US). And more and more violence is celebrated. But sex is taboo, which partially explains the massive population: With suppression comes a mystique with no legitimate outlet for experimentation, so illegitimate resources are exploited in secret. It is exactly because it is taboo that it remains titillating, fascinating, and an endless font of hypocrisy. Until now that titillation has been directed at foreigners (as well as children, the helpless, the most vulnerable, etc.), particularly Westerners, who constantly appear in what little porn is available in India. (It certainly exists but is very underground). Now rather than "liberating" anyone, Western-style exploitation can begin in earnest. Will it ruin India? It may. Other things like war, a war economy (thanks to a growing military-industrial complex), and infrastructure problems may seem more salient. But the day to day experience of living in sexist India is about to get worse.

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Human Barbie voted world's most beautiful

Wisdom Quarterly

India's Kaif in pink at the launch of the Barbie doll she inspired (brit-asian.com)

   

FHM has voted Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif, 27, the world's most beautiful woman, an honor that follows her very own sari-clad Barbie doll debut at the 50th anniversary of the iconic doll in 2009. She has been a reader favorite four four years running as the "sexiest woman alive." According to India Journal Kaif defines "sexy" as not being about her clothes. "The sexiest thing is not trying. For me to wear a cotton sari, be without makeup, and still be desirable is sexy." What skillful karma could have led to her beauty, fame, success, and influence? The Buddha on Beauty

  

Devi and Punk Barbie (friendskorner.com; dailymail.co.uk)

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Science: It's a girl thing! (comedy video)

Wisdom Quarterly; Alba502 (EU video)
What might a sexist commercial about men look like if society wanted less science out of us and more self-defeating behavior like alcohol and pornography addiction?
   

The following public service announcement (PSA) was published by the science commission of the European Union. It is part of a campaign designed to attract more females to a career in science. The commission says the inadvertently sexist video has to "speak their language to get their attention."

   

They add that it was intended to be "fun, catchy" and strike a chord with young people. "I would encourage everyone to have a look at the wider campaign and the many videos already online of female researchers talking about their jobs and lives," the commission added.

(Seattle P.I.) A European Union PSA was supposed to encourage girls to consider a career in the sciences. Instead, it turned out to be a big embarrassment, with critics (and pretty much everyone) saying it’s sexist and insulting... peppered with the words “lipstick,” “stiletto,” and “gawking dude.” More

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Thai Buddhism and Ordaining Women as Nuns.

The Bangkok Post, Dec 30, 2009

Bangkok, Thailand -- The forest monks of Wat Nong Pah Pong want the Council of Elders and the Office of National Buddhism to impose stricter controls on Western monks to stop them from ordaining women. They also want the properties of Thai temples in the West to come under the ownership of the Thai Sangha to ensure complete control. The monks are seeking the changes after the recent ordination of two women at Bodhinyana Temple, a branch of Wat Nong Pah Pong in Perth, Australia. The Ecclesiastic Council is opposed to female ordination. The Wat Nong Pah Pong clergy have excommunicated the dharma teacher Phra Brahmavamso, popularly known as Ajahn Brahm, for sponsoring the ordination.

They are also unhappy about alleged negative comments Ajahn Brahm has made about Thai clergy and Thai Buddhism in his talks overseas. If action is not taken, the council fears that more women could be ordained in the West. "Sooner or later, we'll see female monks everywhere," said Phra Kru Opaswuthikorn. He added that the introduction of the Siladhara order, or 10-precept nuns, which was set up by the most senior Western monk, Ajahn Sumedho, as an alternative to female monks in Thailand was also unthinkable. It would be difficult for the Thai public and the clergy to accept the Siladhara order, he said, because the presence of women creates unnecessary problems for the monks' vow of chastity.

James: I'm not a Theravada Buddhist or an ordained monk or teacher, nor am I a Thai. So I'll try to step lightly here and I hope I do not offend anyone. That said, I need to say something about this issue because it has bothered me for some time that there is still a taboo about ordaining women to be nuns in some Buddhist schools. Perhaps it's my western cultural influence but it seems antithetical to the accepting and open minded nature of Buddhism to deny women monastic status. One of the excuses used in this article and heard elsewhere is that having nuns around would tempt the monks too much. Well, monks need to learn how to master their desires regardless of whether women are physically present or not.

They can just as easily engage in sexual misconduct by masturbation or even sex with another monk. In addition, they are tempted with various other desires in their current situation with the temptation to lie or speak ill of a fellow monk or teacher. The desire for theft, anger or even murder can brew in any environment. And what do they do when they have to go out for their alms rounds and happen to see women? Do they run the other way? I'm not trying to mock these monks but I'm just really perplexed. Couldn't they see a women on their rounds and then go back to the monastery and masturbate while thinking about that woman?

We lay practitioners are surrounded much more by the opposite sex than monks and yet most of us are able to avoid sexual misconduct. So why can't monks resist? Isn't that part of their intensive training to learn how to avoid desire? Isn't it kind of impractical and discriminatory to basically say that the only way that this can be achieved is by denying women entrance to monasteries? In a way, it's a statement that men can't control themselves when around women and so women must be denied access to a deeper understanding of the Dharma. Why should women have to sacrifice a chance to learn the Dharma in a monastery simply because they were born with female body parts? And what does it say of men -- That we can't control ourselves enough to live around women without raping them or whatever the case may be? Isn't that kind of blaming the women for existing? Because if monks can't even resist sexual misconduct by even the sight of women then isn't that kind of a false sense of mastery of your desires? If the only way you can resist attaching to desire is to close yourself up in a box and avoid any contact with women then is that real mastery or one that was created by self-imposed isolation alone?

Another point is that despite some initial reluctance the Buddha himself set up orders for nuns (Bhikkunis). Also, other traditions have allowed the ordination for nuns (such as in my tradition of Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh) without any major, systemic problems. As well as Catholic nuns. The sexual temptation excuse seems to be a thin layer of justification covering a deeper issue of sexism. At least from my western perspective. As I said before, I'm not use to Thai culture so perhaps I'm missing something but if the Buddha himself established female orders then I have to question this reluctance by some in the Thai sangha.

What about setting up monasteries that are just for women? Wouldn't that work if the monks aren't willing to share a monastery with women? The only male could be the abbot and if he's older then his chances for a rampant sexual desire would be low. It just seems like there's another way than to just simply ban women from a chance for deeper study that is found in monastic settings. I hope I haven't offended anybody and if I have I sincerely apologize. I am honestly trying to figure out in my mind why this is happening and how we can achieve some kind of middle-ground. After all, Isn't treading the middle-ground the core of much of the Buddha's teachings?

If I'm missing something here please let me know. All thoughts and comments are welcome so long as you remain respectful of others.

---End of Transmission---

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