Raka Das, Pushpraj Singh
ABSTRACT
Unlike today's patriarchal culture, ancient Indian Buddhist women were economically equal. This study found that Buddhist teachings have affected religious and secular women's economic independence by analysing epigraphical data. Women could possess land, inherit wealthy families, and work due to Buddhism's focus on equality and personal effort. Buddhist Bhikkhuni Sangha lets women handle their own money, accept gifts, and distribute them. Unlike Hindu traditions, Vinaya Pitaka and Sutta Pitaka gave women legal succession and property ownership rights to promote economic equality. As bhikkunis and lay followers, Buddhist women helped monasteries grow and survive. Despite these achievements, societal and institutional hurdles precluded economic parity. This study reveals that Buddhism has given economic freedom in patriarchal cultures to Buddhist women. A comparison of Buddhist women's economic duties to those of other ancient faiths and civilisations shows how inventive and inadequate these rights are. Women's economic freedom and Buddhist teachings' legacy conclude the essay. The study aims to understand how Buddhism’s idea of gender and economy shaped ancient Indian discourse and helped women attain economic equality.
