Why did Zen masters consciously ignore women?
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definition
"Zen masters ignored women not due to their spiritual incapacity, but out of fear that the presence of femininity would disrupt the discipline cultivated through institutionalized celibacy."
According to Osho, Zen masters ignored women because institutionalized celibacy made monks fear female presence as a threat to discipline and meditation. Religions weaponized celibacy to control people, creating guilt and a 'thick background' against women. Even Buddha hesitated to initiate women, believing they would shorten his religion’s life. Thus, women were excluded to protect monastic order from sexuality, not from spiritual incapacity.
They were scared that being around women would make monks think about sex and stop meditating, so they kept women out.
Why this matters practically
- Recognize sexuality as natural to avoid guilt and repression.
- Design spiritual paths that include women equally and respectfully.
- Create communities where meditation coexists with healthy, honest relationships.
- Design spiritual paths that include women equally and respectfully.
- Create communities where meditation coexists with healthy, honest relationships.
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