Buddha as the Greatest Social Reforme - Ven. Thera Piyadassi

The Buddha figured in a stupendous role as a social reformer and a cultural revolutionary. Predominant among the changes he wrought upon the fabric of human society of his day were the annihilation of the pernicious caste system and the emancipation of women.

For ages before the advent of the Buddha, Brahmin hegemony which held the whole of India in its iron clasp, had reduced woman to a position of menial or a chattel. She had no rights of her own, no freedom to speak of, but was confined to the four walls of her home and was thought unfit for anything higher than that of being a domestic servant to her husband, her father or brother. She was never regarded as the equal of man in society.

Submissive, obedience to her husband, the execution of his command, the implementation of his wishes alone sufficed without anything more to qualify a wife to enter the portals of heaven.

Society at that time was so constituted that the birth of a daughter was considered a misfortune – nay, something more – a disaster. Not only the common people but even kings were not immune from this narrow and erratic outlook. The story goes that on one occasion when King of Kosala was having a conversation with the Buddha as was his normal custom, the news was brought to him that his queen and chief consort, Mallika, had given birth to a daughter. At this the king was distraught, his face fell and his countenance became disconsolate and grief stricken. Noticing this the Enlightened One remarked:

"Do not be perturbed, O, King,

A female child may prove even a better offspring than a male, For she may grow up to be wise and virtuous, Revering her husband’s mother and be a faithful wife. The boy that she may bear may do great deeds and rule great realms, Yea, such a son of noble wife becomes his country’s guide."

Enlightenment for men and women

In Buddhism differences in sex constitute no impediment to the attainment of the highest perfection. Referring to the Noble Eightfold Path the Buddha compares it to a chariot and observes:

"And be it a woman, be it a man for whom such chariot does wait,

But that same car into Nibbana’s presence shall they come."

According to the Buddha, all progress and achievement, both mundane and supramundane, are within the reach of woman leading a household life and following the domestic vocations, provided she obeys the injunction of the Buddha.

© "Dhamma" (June, 2003) published by Buddha Vachana Trust, 14 Kalidasa Road, Gandhinagar, Bangalore 560 009. Reprinted with permission.

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