A ‘woman’ prayer in Tibetan influenced Buddhist Uyghur texts: rebirth in male form

Abstract

In Tibetan Buddhism, ‘woman’ is depicted, Dharma is at the center of what is said and religious symbols are positive towards ‘woman’. Images of enlightened female Buddhas frequently appear in the visual arts of Tibetan Buddhism. Spiritual enlightenment in religious teaching, practiced predominantly on the basis of liberated female symbolism, is applicable to both men and women. But considering the history of Buddhism, it can be seen that in Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism, ‘woman’ is in the background and is especially excluded from the teachings and community. ‘Woman’, who does not have a high status in the relevant teachings, is generally an evil, deceptive, lustful and seductive figure. Although there are symbols and narratives in Tibetan Buddhism that show ‘woman’ as a liberating source of spiritual power, the situation is different in some examples witnessed especially in Tibetan-influenced Buddhist Uyghur texts. One of these examples is related to the subject of ‘reincarnation’. In the phase known as Tantric Buddhism, although ‘female’ deities are at the forefront, there is a wish for ‘rebirth of female’ individuals in male form in the relevant texts. This wish is contrary to the principle of equal gender, which is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. In this respect, the present study consists of evaluations on the examples of kız etözinte tugma-, tişi ažunınta tugma- ‘not to be born in the form of a woman or a female being; being born in male form’ and tişi etözin tegşür- ‘to want to change into a female form; being born in male form’, which are witnessed in Tibetan-influenced Buddhist Uyghur texts. The study will first present the view of the concept of 'woman' in Buddhism and then examine the justification(s) for ‘not being born in the female form’ on the basis of relevant examples.

Keywords

• Buddhism
• Tibetan Buddhism
• ‘woman’
• Uyghur Buddhism with Tibetan influence

Tibet Etkili Budist Uygur Metinlerinde Bir ‘Kadın’ Temennisi: Erkek Formunda Yeniden Doğum

Abstract

In Tibetan Buddhism, ‘woman’ is depicted, Dharma is at the center of what is said and religious symbols are positive towards ‘woman’. Images of enlightened female Buddhas frequently appear in the visual arts of Tibetan Buddhism. Spiritual enlightenment in religious teaching, practiced predominantly on the basis of liberated female symbolism, is applicable to both men and women. But considering the history of Buddhism, it can be seen that in Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism, ‘woman’ is in the background and is especially excluded from the teachings and community. ‘Woman’, who does not have a high status in the relevant teachings, is generally an evil, deceptive, lustful and seductive figure. Although there are symbols and narratives in Tibetan Buddhism that show ‘woman’ as a liberating source of spiritual power, the situation is different in some examples witnessed especially in Tibetan-influenced Buddhist Uyghur texts. One of these examples is related to the subject of ‘reincarnation’. In the phase known as Tantric Buddhism, although ‘female’ deities are at the forefront, there is a wish for ‘rebirth of female’ individuals in male form in the relevant texts. This wish is contrary to the principle of equal gender, which is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. In this respect, the present study consists of evaluations on the examples of kız etözinte tugma-, tişi ažunınta tugma- ‘not to be born in the form of a woman or a female being; being born in male form’ and tişi etözin tegşür- ‘to want to change into a female form; being born in male form’, which are witnessed in Tibetan-influenced Buddhist Uyghur texts. The study will first present the view of the concept of 'woman' in Buddhism and then examine the justification(s) for ‘not being born in the female form’ on the basis of relevant examples.

Keywords

• Buddhism
• Tibetan Buddhism
• ‘woman’
• Uyghur Buddhism with Tibetan influence

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