Equality in Buddhism
Freedom, equality, fraternity and justice are these elements in Pali literature. In the same way, equality is everywhere in the Dhamma of Buddha. Buddhism is like the ocean. There is no discrimination of any kind. Buddha told the bhikkhus that you have come from different countries and castes. The way the river flows from its state is different. But when the rivers merge into the ocean, then it does not separate, becomes uniform. In the same way, Buddhist Sangha are also similar to the ocean. After entering the ocean, it is impossible to recognize that it is the water of river Ganges or the water of any other river. In the same way, after entering the Buddhist Sangha You have no cast. Everyone is equal in the Sangh, the great man who said this was Buddha.
Caste discrimination has been denied in these Suttās in Pali literature-Madhur Sutta, Assalāyana Sutta, Canki Sutta, Ambattha Sutta, Esukāri Sutta, Vasal Sutta, Vāsettha Sutta, etc
Gender Equality
Buddha not only established caste equality but also established gender equality. Buddha saw the exploitation of women in the caste system. Buddha denied the concept based on traditional exploitation of women and he established the concept of equality.
That is why Mahāpajāpatigotami says-
Buddha virā namo tyatthu,
Sabbasatthānamuttama;
Yo nam dukkhā,
Aññañca bahukam janam
(Homage to the Buddha,
The hero, best of all beings.
You who have released me from suffering
And many other people too.)
Woman’s Honour
It is known from the study of Mahāparinibbāna Sutta that Amrapali invited Buddha to meal and Buddha accepted it. After that the Licchavi princes also came to invite the meal to Buddha, but Buddha had accepted the meal of Amrapali, so He refused the princes. From this we come to know that the Buddha not only taught equality, but he also followed in life. Buddha has always given respectable place to women.
Kosala-Samyutta of the Samyutta Nikāya mentions that once Buddha was staying in Shravasti, then King Prasenjit came to meet him. At that time, he received a message that Queen Mallika has given birth to daughter, which the king was very disappointed to hear. At that time Buddha told the king that you should not be sad, the daughter can be better than son. She can give birth to great sons. Don’t be sad by differentiating between daughter and son.
This male-female egalitarian thought of Buddha is still in need.
Opened the doors of knowledge
Buddha denied traditional concept based on gender inequality and taught the concept of equality. Buddha tried throughout his life to change the evil environment associated with women. Buddhism created new opportunities for the development of female freedom and subjectivity. In the sixth century BCE, the first thought of female freedom and equality was put by the philosopher Buddha and Provided opportunities to many women to acquire knowledge.
Importance of Therigātha
The occult of all these women is found in the Therigātha text of Pali literature. How did Buddha give women the right to acquire knowledge, how to give new assessment of life and freedom, about this women have expressed their occult in ‘ Therigātha ‘.
Work Of Bhikkhuni Sangh
Buddha denied the traditional female exploitation prevailing at that time and gave women equal opportunity to attain knowledge. Buddha also established the Bhikkhuni Sangh like the Bhikkhu Sangha. Through which many women came out of their miseries and they also gave the light of knowledge to others. Patācara came out of her own misery, and she also taught other Bhikkhunis. In the Therigātha text, Patācara’s disciples also have occult. This Bhikkhuni Sangh has done extremely admirable work. That’s why, it is said in Dīpavamsa praising Bhikkhunis- ‘They illuminate this earth’(Obhāsenti mahim iman).
I salute the great man, Buddha, who gives women such a supreme place.
