Equality In Hinduism Essay

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Recommended: Are gender differences biologically predisposed or socially constructed

The ideology of gender equality is present in Hinduism, but is not followed within the religious community or in the Indian society. Despite the single chromosome difference between genders, this biological variation has multifaceted religious, social, and economic implications. The question remains how religions such as Hinduism or Christianity can emphasize spiritual equality, yet condone, perpetuate, and justify the practice of gender inequality especially in the work force. This issue of patriarchy affects woman not only in India, but also throughout the world including the United States. In order to evoke a change within society, it is important to understand the mechanisms and justifications for spiritual equality without societal equality and how Hinduism might be able to bring India closer social equality. Hindus believe in spiritual equality of males and females on an existential level as a representation of enlightenment. This theme of spiritual equality within Hinduism is best …show more content…

By allowing women to serve her and experience her teachings, she provided them “intimate access to her divine presence” giving them darshan. In addition, by providing her home, Ma allowed women to experience darshan through, physical contact or celibacy, similar to males. Ma’s girls were offered a sacred thread of Brahmin initiation, a traditional which was previously exclusively extended to males. In a final movement towards spiritual equality, Ma established Sansrkit schools for girls. This act was justified in the Brhadaraynyaka Upansid 4.4.18 which states, “It was right to raise a scholarly daughter.” As the name implies, the Sansrkit schools taught girls Sanskrit. This knowledge enabled girls to read and comprehend the Vedic texts, thereby enhancing their spirituality. Guru Shri Shankarro further improved spiritual equality by allowing women to become

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