First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening [Paperback]

Susan Murcott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2006

First Buddhist Women is a readable, contemporary translation of and commentary on the enlightenment verses of the first female disciples of the Buddha. Through the study of the Therigatha, the earliest-known collection of women’s religious poetry, the book explores Buddhism's 2,600-year-long liberal attitude toward women. Utilizing commentary and storytelling, author Susan Murcott traces the journey of wives, mothers, teachers, courtesans, prostitutes, and wanderers who became leaders in the Buddhist community, acquiring roles that even today are rarely filled by women in other, patriarchal religions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Murcott was draw to Buddhism as a peace activist in Boston in the late 1960's. She traveled to Japan, Australia, and Hawaii to study Zen and Buddhist philosophy, and spent more than 10 years researching and translating this text. She was a co-founder and editor of Kahawai: Journal of Women and Zen for many years, and taught meditation at Wellesley College while completing her graduate studies in environmental engineering at M.I.T. Currently, Susan Murcott is a professor of environmental engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T) and has become a noted expert in safe drinking water technologies for developing countries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: Parallax Press; 2nd edition (February 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188837554X
• ISBN-13: 978-1888375541
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Favorite, June 12, 2006

By 

K. Hutchinson "Kate Hutchinson" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening (Paperback)

In the past half year I have been studying Buddhism, and of all the books I have read, this is my favorite. I love how it combines primary source poetry, lovingly translated to preserve its measure and tone, with historical background that covers each Buddhist woman studied, as well as placing her in her original historical context. A well-reseached work, the author has extensive footnotes allowing the reader to follow up on particular items of interest. I highly recommend this book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for women's and Buddhist studies shelves, May 6, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening (Paperback)

First Buddhist Women: Poems And Stories Of Awakening tells the true story of the wives, mothers, teachers, courtesans, prostitutes, and travelers who became the first female followers of the Buddha. Professor Susan Murcott offers a translation and extensive commentary upon the Therigatha, the earliest know collection of women's religious poetry, and contemplates issues of spiritual enlightenment and societal demands that are as important today as they were thousands of years ago. First Buddhist Women is written with a decidedly objective eye, observing equally both the positive aspects that Buddhism brought to the lives of women, particularly those women who pursued enlightenment or joined the sangha, and the negative aspects, especially those who were in effect widowed when their husbands renounced the earthly world following Buddha's example. Highly recommended for women's and Buddhist studies shelves.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for women's and Buddhist studies shelves, May 6, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Buddhist Women: Poems and Stories of Awakening (Paperback)

First Buddhist Women: Poems And Stories Of Awakening tells the true story of the wives, mothers, teachers, courtesans, prostitutes, and travelers who became the first female followers of the Buddha. Professor Susan Murcott offers a translation and extensive commentary upon the Therigatha, the earliest know collection of women's religious poetry, and contemplates issues of spiritual enlightenment and societal demands that are as important today as they were thousands of years ago. First Buddhist Women is written with a decidedly objective eye, observing equally both the positive aspects that Buddhism brought to the lives of women, particularly those women who pursued enlightenment or joined the sangha, and the negative aspects, especially those who were in effect widowed when their husbands renounced the earthly world following Buddha's example. Highly recommended for women's and Buddhist studies shelves.