Topics for Paper II, REL 407/507 Buddhist Women

Due Monday, May 22, 5 p.m., in PLC 812.

Topics

1. Using Carol Gilligan's relational theory of care as presented in Feminist Thought and one other thinker from the same volume (such as de Beauvoir's Existentialist Feminism, Irigaray's Postmodern Feminism, Starhawk's Ecofeminism), discuss the predicament and creative force of one of the main figures from Weeks 4-6 (Natalie Goldberg, Etty Hillesum, Tenzin Palmo). To what extent can this woman's life be illuminated by these theories, and what are the limitations in attempting to do so?

2. Using the discourse on gender/sex and emptiness given by the Goddess in the Vimalakirti Sutra and one other thinker from Feminist Thought (such as de Beauvoir's Existentialist Feminism, Irigaray's Postmodern Feminism, Starhawk's Ecofeminism), discuss the predicament and creative force of one of the main figures from Weeks 4-6 (Natalie Goldberg, Etty Hillesum, Tenzin Palmo). To what extent can this woman's life be illuminated by these theories, and what are the limitations in attempting to do so?

3. The application of Buddhist emptiness entails 'emptying' the mind's attachments to realize the oneness of reality. As seen in the "Goddess" chapter of The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti, emptiness is directed at attachment to two types of objects: a) ordinary mental and physical objects, and b) religion (its dogmas and practices). In one sense, then, Mahayana Buddhism espouses a spiritual path that is neither attached to the things of this world nor to the external expressions of religion. Discuss how this idea does and does not apply to Etty Hillesum's spiritual life as it unfolds in An Interrupted Life.

4. Examine the relation between the erotic life and the spiritual life as found in one of the major figures from Weeks 4-6 (Natalie Goldberg, Etty Hillesum, Tenzin Palmo). How are they related or not related, and how does this relationship, if any, develop over time? It may be helpful to refer to one or more of the feminist thinkers that we read about in Feminist Thought

5. In Cave in the Snow, there is an episode where Tenzin Palmo deeply questions the Dalai Lama about the lives and treatment of Tibetan Buddhist nuns. Discuss to what extent this is a political and economic confrontation and to what extent it is spiritual. What does this episode reveal about Tenzin Palmo as a Westerner and a Buddhist woman, and what does it reveal about the Dalai Lama?

6. Write a dialogue between any two of the following three women - Natalie Goldberg, Etty Hillesum, and Tenzin Palmo - to discuss both how difficult their specific circumstances in life have been and how they were able to move beyond these circumstances. Be sure to provide quotations and/or textual references for the views you attribute to these women.

7. Select one of the major readings from Weeks 4-6 (Long Quiet Highway, An Interrupted Life, Cave in the Snow) and examine the relation between the external circumstances of oppression and the internal process of developing a deeper, more integrated and/or spiritual self. Use one thinker/theory from Rosemarie Tong's Feminist Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction to discuss two key turning points in the awakening of the main figure (Joan Casey, Malika Oufkir, Etty Hillesum). Examine the significance of her cultural circumstances in relation to these turning points and its ramifications for inward realization and empowerment.