Buddhist view of females concerns not only the numerous nuns in the Buddhist population but also the broad female population in the society. Buddhism in the early days was pessimistic and worldweary, thinking the world a dungeon and nirvana a relief. Thus, it advocated “nolife”, regarding sexual desire and sex as primary sins and putting them at the head of all its principles. As the symbol of giving birth and power of life, women were taken as the incarnation of “sex” and “desire”, the source of lust and debauchery, and the sign of evil. The Theravada Buddhism thought “a women is not allowed to be a Buddha”, which was to a degree succeeded by the Mahayana Buddhism. However, under the impact of powerful thought that “Everyone has some sense of Buddha”, the Mahayana Buddhism gave a very high status to females, thinking even if women were the source of lust and debauchery, they could comprehend Buddhism and become Buddha if they accepted Buddhist instructions. This conception of raising the female status showed Buddhist view of equality between men and women. More importantly, it manifested the powerful inertia of the ancient Indian reproduction worship and had a direct and internal association with it.

Buddhist literature; Buddhist principle; Buddhist view of females; reproduction culture