Rev. Doshin Koku

Buddhist Chaplain, Forest Way Zen

Although Buddhism has an egalitarian philosophical framework, the story of women’s equity within Buddhist communities throughout history has run parallel to the story of women’s equity in society. The emergence of Buddhism in the West has brought changes in the progress of gender equality in Buddhist communities. This paper focuses on the most basic and simple teaching of Zen Master Seung Sahn, the “don’t know mind.” His contribution to establishing Zen Buddhism from Korea to the West has influenced a new dynamic that has emerged within Buddhist communities in the West—the inclusion of women in leadership roles within these communities. Throughout history, men have dominated the narrative and defined what it is to be a woman, and men have controlled the outcomes for women and their experiences within their own spiritual practice. Today we see more and more women shaping the way Buddhism is practiced, just as we also see more women than ever becoming teachers and leaders in Buddhist communities outside of Asia.

Rev. Doshin Koku,Studies on Humanistic Buddhism VI : Humanistic Buddhism: Wisdom and Compassion in Action(2024)217-224.COPY