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Women of the Way: Discovering 2500 Years of Buddhist Wisdom
In this groundbreaking work, Sallie Tisdale traces women Buddhist masters and teachers across continents and centuries, drawing upon historical, cultural, and Buddhist records to bring to life these narratives of ancestral Buddhist women.
299 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Sallie Tisdale
28 books64 followersSallie Tisdale is the author of Talk Dirty to Me, Stepping Westward, and Women of the Way. She has received a Pushcart Prize, an NEA Fellowship, the James Phelan Literary Award, and was a Dorothy and Arthur Shoenfeldt Distinguished Writer of the year. Her work has appeared in Harper's, the New Yorker, and other publications.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 7, 2015
Why is representation important?
Gabby Sidibe said "If I get myself on screen, then I know that I exist."
Junot Diaz drew the comparison between lack of representation and vampires here in this quote;
"You guys know about vampires? … You know, vampires have no reflections in a mirror? There’s this idea that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. And what I’ve always thought isn’t that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. It’s that if you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves."
Junot goes on to talk about the desire to build a couple of mirrors before they died, that these mirrors might stand for the children to come, reflecting their image to them, reasuring them that their place in this world is sure.
I don't want to draw a comparison between Ms Sidibe's and Mr Diaz's struggle for representation and my own. Because wow, as a white woman, I have plenty of it. All I have is representation. I do, though, want to talk about the importance of this word I've already said too many times -representation- in spirituality/religion.
I recently came to Buddhism, weary and almost, if not completely, worn through. Learning the teachings from men was uncomfortably familiar; I'd been used to Pastor being synonymous with male. Like, of course the pastor is a man. I spent most of my life actively avoiding female teachers. It was how I was taught. So deeply was this ingrained that even when I took up anchor and left the church, and even after docking finally at Buddhism, it took me a shockingly long time to even wonder about women in the practice.
But finally my feminism and my faith collided and I began to hunger for a mirror. Where were the female practitioners? Where were the nuns? The convents? Then I found this book.
Women of the Way is beautifully written by Sallie Tisdale who, interestingly enough, is local to Portland, training at one of the temples here. The book is dedicated to "all the old women, refreshment sellers, little girls, rice cake vendors, laywomen, princesses, wandering nuns, courtesans, and goddesses who endlessly preach the Dharma in countless stories and are never named." And that, I think, accurately expresses the nature of this book. Sallie Tisdale aims to hold up a mirror that we may place ourselves on The Way, yes, but she also wrote this book to honor all those who have come before and in a sense, paved that Way. In that way its almost sacred. But that might be over stating it.
The book begins with an introduction that doesn't hesitate to get at the heart of the matter. In the Eiheiji temple in Japan she asks a question that she admits she already knows the answer to; "Can women practice here?" Tisdale describes the overwhelming grief that floods her self upon hearing trivial explanation. I felt that grief, too, and an outrage. Tisdale also identifies as a feminist, and like me, practiced for quite awhile before identifying the inequalities within her religion.
I think that, when we find a place where we feel we fit, where we feel safe, to see such blatant sexism wounds all the more. Quoted in the book, the modern commentary on Jizo's Vow written by Tripitaka master Hsuan Hua says that women cannot become Buddhas, "... women have many evils. They are jealous and obstructive, and their hearts are about the size of a sesame seed."
Lovely.
I am so thankful for this collection of stories. This book is the perfect rebuttal to Jizo's Vow; here are countless stories of women attaining enlightenment, becoming Buddha's. Within these pages are Mythical Ancestors living in other universes, sutras of the Dragon Princess, daughter of the leader of the Nagas, who lived beneath the sea. And the Indian Ancestors who, when denied enlightenment by Siddhartha himself, doggedly pursued him, even starting their own group in which they practiced, so unrelenting were they in their quest. (Siddhartha even admits in so many words that the only way that men can reach enlightenment is because the women stay behind and handle the "wordly affairs". The women respond, in deed and word, by saying that's unacceptable). Then come the Chinese Ancestors, then the Japanese. This is a book of surprising stories; the princesses, the royal daughters, the rice farmers, the prostitute, the thieves, Buddhism under shogun law, the poor behavior of monks who woul expose themselves to the nuns, trying to embarrass and frighten them, and the nun who responded in kind and sent them running for the hills. The nun who fought off her rapist with a piece of paper she turned into a sword.
This book is full of magic and history. At the end is a long list of all the names included; ready to be chanted. Beyond this, it is beautiful written.
Gabby Sidibe said "If I get myself on screen, then I know that I exist."
Junot Diaz drew the comparison between lack of representation and vampires here in this quote;
"You guys know about vampires? … You know, vampires have no reflections in a mirror? There’s this idea that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. And what I’ve always thought isn’t that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. It’s that if you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves."
Junot goes on to talk about the desire to build a couple of mirrors before they died, that these mirrors might stand for the children to come, reflecting their image to them, reasuring them that their place in this world is sure.
I don't want to draw a comparison between Ms Sidibe's and Mr Diaz's struggle for representation and my own. Because wow, as a white woman, I have plenty of it. All I have is representation. I do, though, want to talk about the importance of this word I've already said too many times -representation- in spirituality/religion.
I recently came to Buddhism, weary and almost, if not completely, worn through. Learning the teachings from men was uncomfortably familiar; I'd been used to Pastor being synonymous with male. Like, of course the pastor is a man. I spent most of my life actively avoiding female teachers. It was how I was taught. So deeply was this ingrained that even when I took up anchor and left the church, and even after docking finally at Buddhism, it took me a shockingly long time to even wonder about women in the practice.
But finally my feminism and my faith collided and I began to hunger for a mirror. Where were the female practitioners? Where were the nuns? The convents? Then I found this book.
Women of the Way is beautifully written by Sallie Tisdale who, interestingly enough, is local to Portland, training at one of the temples here. The book is dedicated to "all the old women, refreshment sellers, little girls, rice cake vendors, laywomen, princesses, wandering nuns, courtesans, and goddesses who endlessly preach the Dharma in countless stories and are never named." And that, I think, accurately expresses the nature of this book. Sallie Tisdale aims to hold up a mirror that we may place ourselves on The Way, yes, but she also wrote this book to honor all those who have come before and in a sense, paved that Way. In that way its almost sacred. But that might be over stating it.
The book begins with an introduction that doesn't hesitate to get at the heart of the matter. In the Eiheiji temple in Japan she asks a question that she admits she already knows the answer to; "Can women practice here?" Tisdale describes the overwhelming grief that floods her self upon hearing trivial explanation. I felt that grief, too, and an outrage. Tisdale also identifies as a feminist, and like me, practiced for quite awhile before identifying the inequalities within her religion.
I think that, when we find a place where we feel we fit, where we feel safe, to see such blatant sexism wounds all the more. Quoted in the book, the modern commentary on Jizo's Vow written by Tripitaka master Hsuan Hua says that women cannot become Buddhas, "... women have many evils. They are jealous and obstructive, and their hearts are about the size of a sesame seed."
Lovely.
I am so thankful for this collection of stories. This book is the perfect rebuttal to Jizo's Vow; here are countless stories of women attaining enlightenment, becoming Buddha's. Within these pages are Mythical Ancestors living in other universes, sutras of the Dragon Princess, daughter of the leader of the Nagas, who lived beneath the sea. And the Indian Ancestors who, when denied enlightenment by Siddhartha himself, doggedly pursued him, even starting their own group in which they practiced, so unrelenting were they in their quest. (Siddhartha even admits in so many words that the only way that men can reach enlightenment is because the women stay behind and handle the "wordly affairs". The women respond, in deed and word, by saying that's unacceptable). Then come the Chinese Ancestors, then the Japanese. This is a book of surprising stories; the princesses, the royal daughters, the rice farmers, the prostitute, the thieves, Buddhism under shogun law, the poor behavior of monks who woul expose themselves to the nuns, trying to embarrass and frighten them, and the nun who responded in kind and sent them running for the hills. The nun who fought off her rapist with a piece of paper she turned into a sword.
This book is full of magic and history. At the end is a long list of all the names included; ready to be chanted. Beyond this, it is beautiful written.
April 19, 2024
What a touching, and important, book for women practicing Buddhism. One of the things I find most difficult about my spirituality is that every story, every hero, every being to look up to, is a man. And most of them behave in ways that I wouldn’t, that sure are a sign of their times, but that I wouldn’t consider ethical.
To have this book, the stories of the most revered women to look up to is such a game changer for me. Instead of feeling lost and disconnected from spiritual ancestors, trying and trying to foster a connection with men I have so little in common with, now I can look to these determined, patient, faithful, kind, brave women to guide me.
Unfortunately, so many of the stories are somewhat repetitive. But that’s because time and time and time again, these women are told no, they can’t practice, they won’t be taken seriously, they need to stay in their lane. And time and time and time again, these women find ways around it, called by the Dharma to practice no matter what.
It’s upsetting that this is the hand we are dealt, it’s upsetting that these stories span 2500 years and even the ones from our day and age are the exact same story. Some Buddhists believe that to be born woman is to be punished for bad karma in a past life. But where there is upset there is also inspiration. For 2500 years women have been sticking it to the man, and against all odds gaining enlightenment anyway. I feel proud and honoured to be amongst their ranks as women of the way, and I think that’s what the book is about.
To have this book, the stories of the most revered women to look up to is such a game changer for me. Instead of feeling lost and disconnected from spiritual ancestors, trying and trying to foster a connection with men I have so little in common with, now I can look to these determined, patient, faithful, kind, brave women to guide me.
Unfortunately, so many of the stories are somewhat repetitive. But that’s because time and time and time again, these women are told no, they can’t practice, they won’t be taken seriously, they need to stay in their lane. And time and time and time again, these women find ways around it, called by the Dharma to practice no matter what.
It’s upsetting that this is the hand we are dealt, it’s upsetting that these stories span 2500 years and even the ones from our day and age are the exact same story. Some Buddhists believe that to be born woman is to be punished for bad karma in a past life. But where there is upset there is also inspiration. For 2500 years women have been sticking it to the man, and against all odds gaining enlightenment anyway. I feel proud and honoured to be amongst their ranks as women of the way, and I think that’s what the book is about.
June 18, 2021
I (obviously) really took my time with this excellent book. It wasn’t only my woeful ignorance of eastern religion that slowed me down; there was also a great deal to savor in each nun’s story. I found a strange comfort in the fact that the oppression and exclusion of women is not just a western religious staple and I rejoiced as these remarkable women persevered in their journeys of faith despite thousands of years of setbacks. I highly recommend this journey for its wisdom, history and stories!
May 2, 2024
beautiful. give me more stories about women searching for meaning + freedom throughout time, always.
September 8, 2010
First, let me say I loved Sallie Tisdale's 'Talk Dirty to Me'. It was funny and strange and thought-provoking. So when I started seriously researching Buddhism and Taoism, and I saw she had one that specifically explored gender and faith, I snapped it right up. Unfortunately, its not what I wanted. The vast bulk of it is a collection of Buddhist teaching stories with female protagonists, reinterpreted for a modern audience, but it comes off as a kind of squirrely historical fiction anthology. The sad thing is that I'm fairly certain that if she was doing her usual- writing essays of her observations and insights- it would be exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for.
May 18, 2013
This book is available online here:
http://books.google.com/books?id=MK_s...
One of my favorite stories in it is Ohashi, a Japanese woman who lived in the 1700's. She was a prostitute and a student of Hakuin. I also especially liked the story of the Kongshi Daoren, the bathhouse attendent, and Yu Daopo, the donut shop baker.
http://books.google.com/books?id=MK_s...
One of my favorite stories in it is Ohashi, a Japanese woman who lived in the 1700's. She was a prostitute and a student of Hakuin. I also especially liked the story of the Kongshi Daoren, the bathhouse attendent, and Yu Daopo, the donut shop baker.
July 3, 2020
A concisely researched, well written and not as dry and preachy as I was once told. The contributions that women have made to Buddhist and Eastern Religions are well known to those in the lands where they are most practiced, but here in the West we need to hear their voices and they are represented here.
My only issue wish is that they told them in a more traditional way and not tried to modernize it to pull in a wider audience.
My only issue wish is that they told them in a more traditional way and not tried to modernize it to pull in a wider audience.
February 17, 2026
I don't love that I'm forced to rate this so low. I just don't know that my mood was right for it. It was beautifully written but still somewhat dry and many of the stories were similar, which makes sense based on the women's history of it all but the sameness left me really tired by about halfway through the book.
July 4, 2018
Written well and filled with sadness, rage and love. A very important collection of stories.
July 13, 2020
Buddhism, like all religions, has left out and covered and ignored the voices of women. This book beautifully added much wisdom to my life and my practice.
March 28, 2024
Excellent for all Buddhists.
October 21, 2025
The oddest thing occured while reading this book. A day after the 2024 election I read this paragraph:
"Endure what comes," he said. "Endure injustice. Whatever happens is somehow or other the result of your own past action- even if it is just a matter of what brought you to this place and time. Act according to the conditions you encounter, not the conditions you wish would be. Don't hang on to your hard feelings; let go of them, face the world like you face the wall, the way the wall faces you."
It struck me that this will be exactly what I do while our country does its spinning over values- whether conservative or liberal or progressive. Whatever name is given it is only time. My time needs to be spent enjoying the air, the flowers, the water and mySELF.
Women have been oppressed since time began. Only when a woman doesn't believe she is oppressed and makes a way for herself in her life while reaching for more and without being a slave to a man or marriage will a woman be truly free. Not that men and marriage are obsolete, but that true relationship lies in a partnership as many of these women, nuns, found while walking the buddhist way through life.
Always look up. Move forward. Believe in yourself.
"Endure what comes," he said. "Endure injustice. Whatever happens is somehow or other the result of your own past action- even if it is just a matter of what brought you to this place and time. Act according to the conditions you encounter, not the conditions you wish would be. Don't hang on to your hard feelings; let go of them, face the world like you face the wall, the way the wall faces you."
It struck me that this will be exactly what I do while our country does its spinning over values- whether conservative or liberal or progressive. Whatever name is given it is only time. My time needs to be spent enjoying the air, the flowers, the water and mySELF.
Women have been oppressed since time began. Only when a woman doesn't believe she is oppressed and makes a way for herself in her life while reaching for more and without being a slave to a man or marriage will a woman be truly free. Not that men and marriage are obsolete, but that true relationship lies in a partnership as many of these women, nuns, found while walking the buddhist way through life.
Always look up. Move forward. Believe in yourself.
April 13, 2011
This was a very interesting look into the history of the influential womem of Buddhism.
May 25, 2011
Oregon author and lay Zen teacher
March 28, 2010
I read this book for an enjoyable 4 week class on "Women in Buddhism."
May 28, 2010
Discusses in depth the histories of female teachers, students and characters of Buddhism and Zen. (And she's a friend and Dharma sister of mine)
November 11, 2015
Great collection of stories about women and Zen Buddhist teaching. Some thought provoking tales,
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews