Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in Theravada Buddhism

[camerata]

The scandal of Ajahn Brahm's "banned" paper on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in Theravada Buddhism rumbles on. Supporters are setting up a petition to have it accepted at UN Vesak Day next year:

We, the undersigned, are astounded and deeply disappointed by the banning of Ajahn Brahm’s paper on gender equality at the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) conference in Vietnam.

The paper was clearly aligned with the UN’s Millennium Development Goal 3 (Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women), which the UNDV is committed to uphold through its connection with the UN. Moreover, Ajahn Brahm’s paper had already been approved for presentation when it was suddenly banned 36 hours before its scheduled presentation.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/dannyfisher/2014/07/sign-the-petition-calling-for-united-nations-day-of-vesak-to-invite-ajahn-brahm-to-present-his-banned-gender-equality-paper-in-2015/

The paper is a good summary of the problem. It can be found at dhammaloka.org.au.

[rockyysdt]

It's a shame how the very essence of Buddhist practice (liberation) is ignored when it comes to gender.

Upon questioning the Buddhist woman of Indian descent, at the local Fuel Station she replied: "Oh no, I must wait until my next life to become liberated."

To be so close to light, yet remain in darkness.