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Angels and the dragon king's daughter: gender, sexuality in Western Buddhist new religious movements
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 11:39 authored by Sally Munt, Sharon E SmithThrough colonialism and globalization, Buddhism has developed an increasing profile in the West. This can be observed within popular culture as well as the presence of Buddhist practitioners from a range of ethnicities of whom a significant number are converts. This presence has led to the development of Buddhist new religious movements (NRMs). We first outline interpretations of gender and sexuality that have arisen within Buddhist traditions. Then, using Linda Woodhead’s (2007) model that theorises religion’s positioning with respect to gender, we discuss gender norms that have developed for two of the largest Buddhist NRMs in the UK: the Triratna Buddhist Community (TBC, formerly the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, FWBO) and the Nichiren group Soka-Gakkai International-UK (SGI -UK). Through examining new empirical data, we explore how their gender norms are negotiated by members. We note that within these movements, women, queer people and people of colour are creating provisional spaces that challenge attempts to hegemonize hetero- patriarchal perspectives.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Theology and SexualityISSN
1355-8358Publisher
Equinox PublishingExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
16Page range
229-258Department affiliated with
- Media and Film Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-05-21First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2013-11-20Usage metrics
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