Abstract

   This thesis entitled ‘An Analytical Study of the Women’s Wisdom in Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures’ has three objectives: (1) to study women in various situations in Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures, (2) to study women who had wisdom in various situations in Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures and (3) to analyze and propose women’s ways of utilization of wisdom in Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures. This is a documentary research.

   In the study, it was found that general women in various Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures appeared to have a great deal of patient and effort but remained under the influences of men concerning Indian social contexts in those periods. Under those circumstances, they as daughters showed their gratitude to their parents. If they were daughters in law, they expressed their honest to their husbands as wives; they behaved towards their husbands as if their husbands were gods. As regards the status of being Buddhist laity, they were said to offer endless numbers of support to Buddhism by four requisites. While doing these helps, they also practiced Dhamma. And if they were ordained, they also followed Dhamma in their duties; some obtained special power in propagation of Buddhism respectively.

 As far as women’s wisdom in various situations in Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures is concerned, it appeared that most of them were of talent qualities in both worldly and supramundane levels, they reached their goals through the utilization of their wisdom even though they became worldly women; they solved many problems while living their lives which were relevant to the beautiful aspect of life: benefit in present life, benefit in next life. With respect to women who had wisdom in the status of being Bhikkhuni, they certainly reached the ultimate goal of life, voluntarily sacrificing their lives for the sake of others’ benefit and happiness, liberating them from the bundle of suffering. Based on this explanation, one should study women’s wisdom in Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures so as to ignite the beautiful meaning of life which would lead to the development of wisdom to gain the same goal as well.

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