12th December 1999

She has a right to live without fear

This thinking had already become a societal norm, even before the time of the Buddha, and was intended to safeguard the rights of women. A Buddha is not required to explain that it is wrong to act in a way that causes harm to a woman or to society. Any intelligent person is capable of understanding this. A woman is considered to be a physically fragile member of society while man is physically stronger. Therefore it is not surprising that often men attempt use this physical strength to force women to fulfill their sexual desires. Women are not mere toys in society and they too are entitled to human rights. Women have every right to live without fear and be independent. Buddhism has always considered the protection of women to be of utmost importance. Once when questioned 'kinsu bandha' - What are the most important 'objects' in society, the Buddha had replied, 'pitthi bandha nam uththaman' - women and children. Most objects that are used in day to day life are disposed of, but jewellery is not cast aside in such a manner. It is safeguarded and handed over from generation to generation. A woman is an integral part in the continuation process of generations and therefore needs to be protected.

The Buddha in the Chunda Sutta of the Anguttara Nikaya defining the ten ways in which a woman should be protected stressed that a woman who is thus protected should not go a stray, nor stoop to sexual misconduct. Indulging in a sexual relationship with a female who is living under the protection of a mother, a father, siblings, relatives, a husband, a fiance, or warden is defined as sexual misconduct. Buddhism states that a female should be protected from the time she's a little girl to an old woman.

Unfortunately modern society, has deviated a long way from protecting or safeguarding women. Norms of decency no longer exist. Today we hear instances of children being abused by their own fathers, uncles and grandfathers. It's a society where sometimes a girl cannot be protected from her own brother. The decision we have to make is, do we allow this deterioration of society to continue or do we find out the root causes for this destruction, remedy them and safeguard society?

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