The relevance of men in Buddhism

Since last post I essentially vindicated all Buddhist women from critics who could condemn Buddhism as inherently sexist towards females, I will also play fair on part of my own gender and highlight why Buddhist men must understand their calling is of the highest priority – and privilege.

It’s not that relevant, but today I finished a cartoon series about a male teacher who, because of a co-ed school headmistress’s misandry, finds himself unemployed. Determined to be a teacher, he crossdresses as a woman to get the job. He’s forced to become and act like a woman because the principal and vice-principal don’t believe a man can ever be caring, or empathize with the female students in a genuine way (incidentally one of the girls develops a sexual attraction to the ‘female’ teacher). The ultimate irony is that the protagonist is not homosexual and he is always aware of his masculinity; but he (creepily enough) is one of the most feminine character in the cartoon. This means that the gender bias of what is ‘good’ is ALWAYS blurred.

Why do men need reminding of their balancing strengths? Because they often get one-sided and slip into dogmatism, where everyday life becomes black and white for them in one way or another: especially in how they relate to the external world in a ‘masculine’ or ‘pansy’ way. Think about it, gentlemen. You’re challenged to live up to this crazy, inherently false cultural ideal every day! Ironically, if you start thinking for yourself and develop your OWN philosophy of what is manly/noble, you will become more confident, assertive, and self-reliant rather than following the mass media herd. Trust me.

Like everyday life, Buddhism possesses traits of what some critics might call a testosterone-charged patriarchy: extremely concise and difficult doctrine in all its traditions, wildly complex and intricate metaphysics, and of course, a male-led ecclesiastic structure. However, at its grassroots, it also possesses very ‘feminine’ attributes: compassion being an essential component to wisdom, or the cultivation of very sexy means to attract sentient beings to the Dharma, such as good deeds, sympathy, kind words and compassion. I ask you though, why can’t kind words be masculine?

In other words, Buddhism has ‘feminine’ traits as well as ‘masculine’ traits. A very important doctrine is that men and women are SPIRITUALLY equal. Just for now, throw away all your complaints about how men are emotionally inferior to women, or how women are physically inferior to men; all of this. The one thing we can be certain is that of our Buddha Nature, that doctrine which speaks of ’spiritual’ yet not of a soul, transcendence yet not beyond our capacities, has equal potential to be cultivated amongst men and women. Therefore, men have the power to realize this cosmic harmony within themselves, by allowing the bodhisattvas to enter their lives as guides and teachers.

Here is my days-old post about Buddhism and power. Do not forget that Buddhism in this world-system was begun by an aristocratic man; at the zenith of Indian caste society. Power is a pre-occupation of the Buddhist mind, make no mistake. Its exercise on those who suffer, and its perpetuation of suffering is what drives Buddhists to work towards the answers. It is true power that Buddhism offers; to channel the means of the powerful and intelligent into protective benevolence and wisdom.

Therefore fellow Buddhist men, do not think of Buddhist principles as truly ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’. Rather, think of it as ‘empowerment’. In my previous post I made it quite obvious that Buddhism has always empowered women – and I might now add – far beyond any feminist conception of ‘liberation’. As the gift of Dharma has been bestowed on men, should you not return the gift to all sentients? Do not live up to others’ expectations, live up to yours, and that of the bodhisattvas!