The Inescapable Gender Order

Zhaohui Shi

In Buddhism, the gender order that appreciates males and depreciates females not only has far-reaching influence, but also becomes inescapable. This paper explores the influences of such a gender order and analyzes cases of its inescapable nature that I have personally observed. The emergence of the gender order is the detrimental consequence of legitimizing sexual discrimination. Both explicit and implicit rules have contributed to the worsening of such discrimination, which creates a vicious circle and a network of shared negative karma.

The root of this gender order can be traced to the Eight Special Rules (gurudhama) that depreciate bhiksunis. The Eight Special Rules have created a gender order that forever subordinates bhiksunis to bhiksus. The fact that these Eight Special Rules are recorded in the Vinaya has granted this gender ordering a certain legal status rather than being simply a matter of decorum. The scope of the influence of this gender order extends to the four groups of Buddhists. It is common to see young junior bhiksus boldly walking and sitting in front of senior bhiksunis. Some even look rather ridiculous as they childishly scramble to occupy front seats to signify that they are indeed higher in rank than bhiksunis. Not only do bhiksunis suffer from such formal subordination, but Buddhist laywomen generally do, too. Seating arrangements usually place laywomen behind laymen when they walk or take their seats.

In addition to conforming to the gender order, in comparison with other traditions, Chinese Buddhism also justifies hierarchy on the basis of class. Therefore, on some formal occasions in the Chinese tradition, some outstanding bhiksunis and successful laywomen are allowed to take privileged seats next to bhiksus, as an exception. If these outstanding bhiksunis and successful laywomen can embrace ideas of justice rather than indulging themselves in those tempting privileges, they may hold considerable power for deconstructing the gender order.

Many kindhearted female practitioners hypnotize themselves with ideals of humility and selflessness without realizing that such passive conformity actually reinforces the gender order. On the other hand, modern women who are conscious of equality may feel deeply insulted by the gender order and refrain from attending Buddhist gatherings. The gender order has apparently become the greatest obstacle to spreading the Dharma in the West.

It is not only bhiksus who maintain the gender order. Many bhiksunis and lay Buddhist women have equally contributed to such an order. They have made tremendous efforts to maintain the gender order on various public occasions, assuring that women are placed behind men; Some treat women who refuse to abide by such a gender order as if they were aliens or traitors. While striving to appear humble and tender in front of men, they can appear rather forceful and even ferocious towards fellow women.

I strongly believe that the existence of this extremely discriminatory gender order is not only the responsibility of men. This is a gender game that is practiced over and over again by both males and females in Buddhism, thereby consciously or unconsciously allowing, inscribing, and promoting the continuation of the gender order. At least two very obvious cases have clearly shown that some women’s submissive attitudes in patriarchal societies have won them higher status in the Sangha or in the ordination system. I cannot help but suspect that, not only have such women become co-conspirators in gender discrimination, but they have also played a role in suppressing women. In this way, they are able to win a place for themselves in the patriarchal Sangha. In addition to gender discrimination that hides deep in the mind or between the lines, there is also a pervasive gender order that exists all the time and everywhere, which is particularly apparent and deserves special attention. Apparent at Buddhist rituals and gatherings, the gender order has made Buddhism an outdated religion that strongly discriminates against women.