Compare And Contrast The Power Of The Feminine In The Hindu, Pure Land And Shinto Mythologies

Surname 1

Name

Grade Course

Tutor’s Name

Date

Compare and Contrast the Power of the Feminine in the Hindu, Pure Land and Shinto

Mythologies

Introduction

For very many centuries, women have held various positions in the society. The position

and power of women has been developed in most of the ancient mythologies including Hindu,

Pure Land and Shinto. This explains the intricate issues of gender and power as portrayed by

various societies over the centuries. Different civilizations and societies have given women

differing positions and foundations thereby widening the scope of the historical relationships and

powers of women in the society. Some of the mythologies have presented varying degrees of

women positions and feminine power. This has led to the establishment of various positions and

powers of women in such societies. This paper offers a critical analysis and contrast of the power

of the feminine in these three mythologies: Hindu, Pure Land and Shinto.

Comparing and Contrasting the Power of the Feminine

In Hinduism, the feminine position has been powerful throughout the mythology. To

begin with, we have the Shakti, a major feminine principle that illustrates the power of the

feminine. The term Shakti is associated with Devi, or the Great Hinduism Goddess. The goddess

is the omnipresent god of the society and empowers women. This shows the power of the

feminine concept. For very many centuries and years, it would be observed that Shakti has been a

Surname 2

major force for the women in the history of the mythology. This is a common concept and idea

that has been practiced for a long time in Hinduism (Chakravarti 23).

Throughout the mythologies, it would also be observed that the relevance of the

goddesses has remained a powerful issue in the thoughts and sects of Hinduism. There has been

the wide existence and range of goddesses in these teachings and views of Hinduism. For

example, we have various goddesses such as Sarasvati who is the goddess of human wisdom and

Ushas who is the goddess for dawn. The teachings have offered the relevance and importance of

the goddesses towards the strengthening of the Hindu faith and ensuring barren ladies have

conceived (Chakravarti 54). There are various celebrations or events discussed in different

literature to manifest the significance and occurrence of the feminine power.

In most of the Hindu philosophies, the woman is given an important position as the

mother of the universe, there are various devolutions that arise from the worship of Shakta and

all other goddesses of Hinduism. It is also notable that the Hindu tradition has always considered

women as the concepts of Shakti. Hinduism accepts the Goddess and the source of power

towards destructive or constructive power (Chakravarti 85). Like in our present cultural

positions, it is notable that Hindu mythology tried to empower women but this was not without

various obstacles or challenges. In the wider circles of Hinduism, women have experienced some

powers as the source of life. However, some critics have considered the issue of goddesses as

relevant towards the socio-cultural establishments.

It is also the expectation from Hinduism that women should exhibit forgiveness and

tolerance. This is the main reason why sometimes women have been defamed because they are

expected to conform to various roles if they are to be accepted as members of the society. In

Hinduism, there have been instances of prohibiting women from exhibiting their personal

Surname 3

assertiveness or independence. When they do this, the society tends to label them as disruptive or

even destructive in the community (Chakravarti 102). While the concept of Shakti seems to

empower women in the Hindu mythologies, others have been required to conform to various

tenets and foundations. This is why the debate remains in an attempt to define the feminine

power in Hinduism.

In Pure Land Buddhism, various mythologies were narrated about women power and

their specific position in the society. The branch of Buddhism was developed during the time of

the Tang Dynasty in China. After examining the history of Pure Land Buddhism, it will be

observed that women in the religion experienced various doctrinal objections, bias and cultural

defamation. This kind of development and establishment redefined the issue of feminism and

power in the religious practice. What can be observed her is that there were enormous forces that

counterinfluence the role of women and their unique powers in the society (Ricoeur 37).

However, it would be notable that women had always been involved in some sort of

Buddhist activities for ages. During the time, history indicates that majority of the women were

playing the role of singha, which entailed supporting and sponsoring various activities in the

society. Apart from these roles played by the women, it is worth noting that the voices of women

and roles in Pure Land Buddhism are something that never developed as it was the case with

Hinduism. According to various historical evidences and information, Buddhist doctrines were

mainly promoted by men and rarely by women. The men in these societies continued to examine

their own understanding and offered their positions and tastes towards religion (Ricoeur 54). The

other heroic depiction of women power in the religion is that of Eshinni, a women who led to the

establishment of specific feminine power in Buddhism. This legend lived in Japan during the

historical period known as Kamakura era. The heroine became the wide of an important

Surname 4

religious kind or figure in the religion by the name Shinran Shonin. After her husband died, the

woman was able to find her new position in the society and thereby wrote various documents and

letters about the role of women in the new society.

It is notable that Buddhism did not promote the position of women. The mythologies in

Pure Land Buddhism have indicated that women were always considered as dangerous members

of the society. They were the main source of temptation and at the same time, they were unable

to attain the same form of religious understanding and enlightenment as it was the case with the

men. However, some teachings such as Sakyamuni offered some critical roles for women in the

religion. Some women, however, managed to devout themselves to the religious views and

practices of Buddhism (Ricoeur 38). Such opinions and practices were critical because they

helped women achieve a better reaffirmation in the society.

From this discussion and analysis, it can be observed that Buddhism evolved from

Hinduism, but the practice led to new views and opinions about religious practices. As a resulted,

the process of Buddhism indicated that women were not capable of experiencing the same level

of enlightenment as compared to men. This weakened their position and the reason there were

never provided with any religious powers or roles. If we compare Pure Land Buddhism and

Hinduism, it would be noted that Hinduism mythologies promoted the position and power of the

female gender. On the other hand, Pure Land Buddhism presented a new order and considered

women as sources of temptation. Some women such as Eshinni helped to promote the power of

women as practiced in this religion (Ricoeur 90).

In another mythology, we have the Shinto whose ideas and concepts are borrowed from

Buddhism. However, it would be observed that males dominate the religion or culture. Shinto is

a practice that began around 1000 B.C. The religious beliefs and views is that spirits exists and

Surname 5

should be worshipped. The believers understand that there are spiritual powers existing in the

world natural places (Washizuka et al. 43). They believe in kami, which are known to live in

places such as stones, mountains, animals, the dead, and even in rivers and living people. In

Shintoism, it should also be observed that there is the worship of a female deity known as

Amaterasu Omikami. She is the goddess of the sun and helps the believers realize their dreams.

From the above discussion, it would be notable that the Shinto religious offers some

powers to the feminine aspects. Since the religious practice lacks a predetermined or properly

established dogma, it would be noted that some goddesses are worshipped and celebrated in the

religion. The goddess of the sun is the sister to Storm God. In the mythologies, the feminine

position and power is established although not to the level of Hinduism. Women have a unique

position in the society but are not provided with greater religious obligations. The worship of

various goddesses as explained in the mythologies indicates the relevance of this religion

towards social establishments (Washizuka et al. 86).

In the society, it happens that women remain underrepresented and need to conform to

various religious views and aspects. This has however been changing in the recent past as new

religious views and establishments continue to develop. Men have been provided with the major

religious roles and duties in the mythologies thereby establishing the weaker position of women

(Washizuka et al. 85). It is therefore agreeable that women have never been given much power.

This could be compared with the similar practices and feminine powers experienced in

Hinduism. However, in Hinduism, women have more powers and have their needs presented by

the various goddesses worshipped by the followers of this religion.

Conclusion

Surname 6

The role of women and feminine power is something that has been widely explored for

various religious groups and mythologies, in most of the Hindu philosophies, the woman is given

an important position as the mother of the universe, and there are various devolutions that arise

from the worship of Shakta and all other goddesses of Hinduism. It is also notable that the Hindu

tradition has always considered women as the concepts of Shakti. According to the history of

Hinduism, women have a unique power but the society seems to restate their positions. On the

other hand, the Shinto and Pure Land mythologies have minimally supported the role of women

in various practices and eventually this has created a gap between males and females in terms of

religious and cultural powers and roles.

Surname 7

Works Cited

Chakravarti, Sitansu. Hinduism: A Way of Life. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2001.

Ricoeur, Paul. Evil: A Challenge to Philosophy and Theology. New York: Continuum, 2007.

Print.

Washizuka, Hiromitsu., Woo-bang, Kang., Saburosuke, Tanabe., Lena, Kim. & Hiromitsu,

Washizuka. Transmitting the forms of Divinity: Early Buddhist Art from Korea and

Japan. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2003. Print.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."