🧕🏼Women and Religion Unit 8 – Women in Sikhism, Jainism & Zoroastrianism

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Sikhism founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century
• Jainism ancient Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence (ahimsa) and asceticism
• Zoroastrianism one of the world's oldest continuously practiced religions, founded by the prophet Zoroaster in ancient Iran
• Guru Granth Sahib the holy scripture of Sikhism, compiled by the Sikh Gurus
• Tirthankaras (ford-makers) in Jainism, spiritually advanced beings who have attained enlightenment and guide others towards liberation
• Ahimsa (non-violence) a core principle in Jainism that involves avoiding harm to all living beings
• Asha (truth) and Druj (lie) in Zoroastrianism, representing the cosmic conflict between good and evil
  • Asha associated with honesty, righteousness, and order
  • Druj represents falsehood, chaos, and deception

Historical Context

• Sikhism emerged during the Bhakti movement in India, which emphasized devotion and equality
• Jainism has its roots in the Sramana tradition, which arose in the 6th century BCE as a challenge to the dominant Brahmanical Hinduism
  • Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is considered the founder of Jainism in its current form
• Zoroastrianism developed in ancient Iran, with the prophet Zoroaster believed to have lived between 1500 and 1000 BCE
• All three religions emerged in patriarchal societies where women's roles were often limited
• Despite the patriarchal context, these religions introduced ideas that challenged traditional gender norms and promoted greater equality

Women in Sikhism

• Sikh Gurus advocated for gender equality and rejected practices like sati (widow burning) and female infanticide
• Guru Nanak emphasized the spiritual equality of all human beings, regardless of gender
• Sikh women participate in all religious activities, including reading the Guru Granth Sahib and leading prayers
• Women can become Granthis (custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib) and perform all religious ceremonies
• Mata Khivi, wife of Guru Angad Dev, played a significant role in establishing the langar (free community kitchen) tradition
• Mai Bhago, a Sikh woman, led a group of 40 Sikh soldiers against the Mughals in the Battle of Muktsar (1705)
• Despite the egalitarian principles, patriarchal attitudes still influence Sikh society, and women may face discrimination

Women in Jainism

• Jain texts mention the existence of female Tirthankaras, suggesting a recognition of women's spiritual potential
• Jain nuns have played a significant role in preserving and transmitting Jain teachings
• Jain women are encouraged to pursue education and spiritual growth
• Jain nuns follow stricter ascetic practices compared to monks, such as wearing a face mask (muhapatti) to avoid harming microorganisms
• Mallibai, a 19th-century Jain nun, composed several influential hymns and poems
• Despite the recognition of women's spiritual capabilities, Jain texts also contain passages that reflect patriarchal attitudes
  • Some texts suggest that women are inherently more prone to attachment and that being born as a man is more conducive to attaining liberation

Women in Zoroastrianism

• Zoroastrian texts depict women as having equal spiritual potential as men
• Women participate in all religious ceremonies and can become priests (mobedyars)
• The Avesta, the sacred text of Zoroastrianism, includes verses dedicated to female divine beings (yazatas)
• Zoroastrian women have historically played important roles in preserving and transmitting the religion
  • During the Islamic conquest of Iran, many women helped to preserve Zoroastrian texts and traditions
• In the Sasanian period (224-651 CE), some Zoroastrian women held positions of power, such as Queen Boran, who ruled the Sasanian Empire in the 7th century
• Despite the egalitarian principles, Zoroastrian society has been influenced by patriarchal norms, and women's roles have varied across time and cultural contexts

Comparative Analysis

• All three religions emerged in patriarchal societies but introduced ideas that challenged traditional gender norms
• Sikhism and Zoroastrianism explicitly promote gender equality in their religious teachings, while Jainism recognizes women's spiritual potential
• Women in all three religions participate in religious activities and can attain positions of spiritual authority (Granthis, nuns, and mobedyars)
• Both Sikhism and Jainism have historical examples of women playing significant roles in the development and preservation of the religion (Mata Khivi, Mai Bhago, Mallibai)
• Despite the egalitarian principles, patriarchal attitudes have influenced the practice of these religions to varying degrees

Contemporary Issues and Debates

• Balancing religious egalitarian principles with the influence of patriarchal cultural norms remains a challenge
• Sikh women have advocated for greater representation in religious institutions and decision-making bodies
  • The issue of women's entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple in Amritsar has been a topic of debate
• Jain nuns have raised concerns about the stricter ascetic practices imposed on them compared to monks
• Zoroastrian communities grapple with issues such as intermarriage and the transmission of religious identity through the maternal line
• Feminist scholars have engaged in reinterpretations of religious texts and traditions to highlight women's contributions and challenge patriarchal interpretations

Further Reading and Resources

• "The Position of Women in Hindu Civilization" by A.S. Altekar (1956) provides a historical overview of women's roles in Indian religions, including Jainism
• "The Feminine Principle in the Sikh Vision of the Transcendent" by Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh (1993) explores the representation of the feminine in Sikh scripture and theology
• "Women in Zoroastrianism: A Study in Historical Perspective" by Shernaz Cama (2010) examines the evolving roles and status of women in Zoroastrian history
• "Women in Jainism" by Manisha Sethi (2012) discusses the position of women in Jain philosophy and practice
• "Sikhism and Women: History, Texts, and Experience" edited by Doris R. Jakobsh (2010) is a collection of essays on various aspects of women's experiences in Sikhism
• "The Dawn of Zoroastrianism: Teachings, History and Practices" by Meena Iyer (2021) includes a chapter on women in Zoroastrianism
• "Gender and Narrative in the Mahabharata" edited by Simon Brodbeck and Brian Black (2007) contains a chapter on Jain versions of the Mahabharata epic and their portrayal of women