BUDDHISM: CASE STUDY "Power and gender in Buddhism" After visiting the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple in Woollongong (Unanderra), and studying further power and gender in Buddhism, I have learned that although Buddhism and the Buddhist doctrine are not extremely strict in the formation of hierarchies, there are some variations in status within the Sangha (Buddhist community). Also I have found that although equality between the sexes is regarded as a Buddhist belief, it is not …showed first 75 words of 499 total…

…showed last 75 words of 499 total…powerful, the monks won't be able to lift their heads, and that women bring negativity that might harm the doctrine . It is strange though, that there is such a hierarchy when the primary objective is intense self-effort . The teachings instruct that the power is in the self and that there is no status. This is why I believe that, although I personally admire the ideology of Buddhism, some strands of Buddhism are contradictory in themselves.