INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST CONFEDERATION STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Sept 12, 2013 From the 1st Founding Members Conclave of the

e IBC, New Delhi

Women in Buddhism Current Situation, its progress and limitations Women have more educational opportunities than anytime in history. It is more common to see women taking leadership roles in many fields of the society. However, such opportunities of receiving systematic Buddhist education and taking Buddhist leadership roles are still extremely limited in a lot of countries. Favoritism towards male and gender stereotyping still persist in many Buddhist societies. Women cannot participate in the study, practice or teaching of Buddhism equally in all Buddhist traditions. The position of women among the Buddhist communities in the world is one of the greatest challenges Buddhism faces at the present Goals yet to be achieved Gender training at all age levels is needed. Gender equity needs to be recognized so as to fully in line with Buddhist principles of equanimity. Awareness of culturally and socially constructed gender bias has to be promoted and should not be trivialized. Opportunities & Challenges The Buddha went along with established conventions of gender hierarchy in ancient India as a framework in some respects, in order not to upset the public at that time. He gave full opportunity for women to dedicate themselves within the framework wholeheartedly to the path to inner peace and enlightenment. The younger generation today cannot understand the missed or weak voice from women in many Buddhist institutions, activities, teachings and conferences. They may refuse or hesitate to join the Buddhist community. Loss of such precious human resources as a result will compromise or even jeopardize the future of Buddhism.

Role that the IBC and its members can play to achieve said goals with some specific steps IBC can facilitate dialogue and exchange of views/information in order to enable women to engage the position in the Buddhist World to which they are entitled. IBC should provide gender education and training to its member at first. IBC should practice true gender equality in all aspects of its planning, empower both genders to bear the responsibilities equally. IBC will then become a model in the Buddhist World for demonstrating principled leadership. IBC can help in the education of gender equality to the rest of the Buddhist World so as to bring peace and social justice to the whole World. IBC should fight against violence towards women and sex trafficking, which are rampant in many Buddhist communities. IBC should help women, especially Buddhist women to receive the education, empowerment, moral support and resources to carry out their share of these goals stated above.