This paper discusses Buddhism and how it has adapted over time. It shares common traits with other religions like designated worship days and ritualistic practices. To become ordained in Buddhism requires years of training and meeting certain standards. Buddhism has adapted to the modern world by expanding beyond monks to include women and laypeople. It first spread to the United States through servicemen after World War II and grew in popularity at American universities. Originally, women held secondary roles but over centuries their status improved and they can now become monks or nuns. Buddhism has been open to changes which has helped it appeal to new followers.

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CURRENT ISSUES
Stacey Troup
March 22, 2016
Matthew Morrison

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COMMON PRACTICES IN RELIGION
This Week Five, final paper, will discuss common characteristics Buddhism shares with
other religions, how the religion is responding to challenges of the modern world and finally,
what has changed about the roles of women in the religion over time.
COMMON CHARASTERISTICS
Buddhism shares several traits with common religions of today. Among these traits are
designated ritualistic worship days, the worship of iconography and the growth of the religious
leaders within these religions.
In the Buddhist faith, like that of almost all other religions discussed in this course, has a
hierarchy which accompanies ordination designation. Buddhist Monks and Nuns seeking full
ordination must be of at least 20 years of age, possess a certain “moral caliber”, must be
physically and psychologically sound, free of debt and household responsibly, free of government
duties and have permission from parents or guardians (The System of Training in a Buddhist
MonestaryTakes Many Years, N.D.). Beyond these final requirements for ordination, there is
also an examination held by a panel of Monks (The System of Training in a Buddhist
MonestaryTakes Many Years, N.D.). The process itself takes years to achieve which is similar to
what Catholic priests must endure in terms of their education and Graduate School requirements.
MODERN WORLD RESPONSES
Buddhism itself has adapted to changes in the modern world better than most religions.
Over the years, Mahayana has extended its reach to include non-monks, women and married
people (Malloy, 2006). At the core of the Mahayana teachings is wisdom and compassion
referred to as “Karuna”. It can be translated to “empathy”, “sympathy” or “kindness”. Within
the teachings is the belief that individuals are not different from anyone else, thereby extending

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their reach to people outside the walls of their reach and expanding their base audience and
followers (Malloy, 2006).
Late in the 19th century, Buddhism reached the United States. Servicemen, returning
from the war, brought with them an inherent interest in the Buddhist faith which helped spread
the interest into American Universities by the middle to end of the 20th century (BDEA, 2008).
The first Zen Buddhist Instutute was opened in 1945 by Ruth Fuller-Sasaki in San
Francisco, CA. The “Zen Boom” was considered to be in full swing in 1950’s. Japanese scholar
D.T. Suzuki gave what is considered to be an influential series of lectures at Columbia
University at that time and in 1957 he particpated in a psychoanalytical study of Zen Buddhism
with leading psychologists of the time (Gurinder Singh Mann, 2001, 2008). New York,
considered a melting pot of religious ideals, further assisted with the growth of Budhism in its
many forms into the 1990s which was a big time for the religion while gaining celebrity
followers (Gurinder Singh Mann, 2001, 2008).
THE ROLES OF WOMEN
While once considered secondary citizens unworthy of worship or position as a teacher of
the particular faith, over time the views on women’s roles within the religion changed.
Originally thought of as the caretakers, child bearers and wives to a more worthy sex
(men), they were also considered unworthy of the ability to reach heaven through their own
merits (Thera, N.D.). Over time, through the teachings of Buddha, the view on women finally
began an adaptive and positive change. They were able to extinguish many beliefs, meaningless
rituals and rites which resulted in a woman’s ability to lead life their own way and gain the same
respect as men in the religious view (Thera, N.D.).
During the 19th and 20th centuries, women gained emancipation and equality in the West
when seeking to join a particular religion as a teacher (nun, monk) as well as during their quests

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for higher education, which was previously forbidden (Thera, N.D.). Buddah himself is
considered a poineer for the equality of women in religions and life itself (Thera, N.D.).
CONCLUSION
Buddhism has had a great impact on the roles of women and its global reach. It shares a
lot in common with other religions of the world but has been more of a pioneer in terms of its
willingness to not only allow women to follow the faith but to also allow them to gain a higher
education and live as equals to man.
Other religions, such as Judaism, have taken a cue from Buddhism and began to allow
women to read the Torah as well as become Rabbis of their particular faith, considered a high
honor. In addition, social and climate changes have affected this and other religions to seek new
followers by opening their eyes, doors and hearts to a new group of people who may have not
otherwise been invited to experience the religion prior to modern times.
Through their willingness to adapt to the changes around them and to allow the
introduction of women into the folds of the faith, Buddhism has been at the forefront of religious
trendsetting since its inception and continues to draw followers who seek to live a simple,
uncluttered life free of the drama that surrounds us. Many religions are going to face the
dilemma of adapt or fold as the times change (also considered “climate change”) (Posas, 2007).
It is imperative that they, too, allow for the changes to be part of the religions they worship and
preach rather than closing the door to people who would wish to follow simply because their
beliefs or ideals in their personal lives may differ from our own.
REFERENCES
BDEA. (2008). The Buddhist World: The Spread of Buddhism in the West. Retrieved from Buddah Net:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/to-west.htm

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Gurinder Singh Mann, P. N. (2001, 2008). Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs in America: A Short History.
Oxford University Press.
Malloy, M. (2006). Experiencing the World's Religions. Retrieved from Phoenix.edu:
https://phoenix.vitalsource.com/books/1259764575/epubcfi/6/36!/4/2/70/2/2@0:0.658
Posas, P. J. (2007). Roles of Religion and Ethics in Addressing Climate Change. ESEP, 8-9.
doi:http://www.int-res.com/articles/esep/2007/E80.pdf
The System of Training in a Buddhist MonestaryTakes Many Years. (N.D.). Retrieved from Buddah Mind:
http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/monastic/train.htm
Thera, V. K. (N.D.). Status of Women in Buddhism. Retrieved from Buddhist Vihara:
http://www.buddhistvihara.com/newsletters/2003-winter/status_of_women.htm

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Gurinder Singh Mann, P. N. (2001, 2008). Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs in America: A Short History.
Oxford University Press.
Malloy, M. (2006). Experiencing the World's Religions. Retrieved from Phoenix.edu:
https://phoenix.vitalsource.com/books/1259764575/epubcfi/6/36!/4/2/70/2/2@0:0.658
Posas, P. J. (2007). Roles of Religion and Ethics in Addressing Climate Change. ESEP, 8-9.
doi:http://www.int-res.com/articles/esep/2007/E80.pdf
The System of Training in a Buddhist MonestaryTakes Many Years. (N.D.). Retrieved from Buddah Mind:
http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/monastic/train.htm
Thera, V. K. (N.D.). Status of Women in Buddhism. Retrieved from Buddhist Vihara:
http://www.buddhistvihara.com/newsletters/2003-winter/status_of_women.htm