Recently, I saw a friend post the following content on a social media platform (the post was shared with her consent):
In China, many only daughters may seem like the sole heirs in their families, but unlike the only sons, they have never been raised with the expectation of inheriting.
Many parents, despite having money, become tight-fisted when it comes to buying a house or sending their daughters abroad for study. They never discuss the family’s financial situation or planning with their daughters. Furthermore, from a young age, women are burdened with the societal expectation to view money as insignificant, to place the needs of others above their own, and to work hard without expecting material rewards.
Over time, the energy of money never truly reaches women. They are left without any real power, while bearing the weight of societal expectations and responsibilities.
I consider myself someone who pursues a life of intellect and idealism. After becoming a Buddhist, it felt as though the religion also expected me to be altruistic and to scorn materialism. But isn’t it true that idealists need money to turn their dreams into reality? What a painful realization!
I later discovered that in the original Buddhist scriptures, the Buddha’s teachings for lay followers place a strong emphasis on material matters. After all, he was a Taurus.
He believed that for lay followers to attain happiness in this life, they must have a good relationship with money. In this aspect, he was very pragmatic. “All wealth, once obtained… should be carefully protected, so that kings, thieves, water, and fire do not take it away or cause it to be lost. Those who do not guard it well will lose it.” This shows that safeguarding one’s wealth is considered an important lesson of spiritual practice.
For women, in order to shed that burden, they need to recognize what property rights truly belong to them.
Regarding the issue of women’s rights mentioned in the article, Yicheng Commonweal has engaged in thoughtful discussion and analysis. Below are our interpretations and proposed solutions to this matter.
1. Women’s lack of financial power is a structural problem
The phenomenon discussed in this article is a clear example of a widespread social issue, highlighting the unique challenges women face within family and societal structures. Many only daughters, despite being the apparent sole heirs of family wealth, are not raised as true successors due to traditional beliefs. This issue not only reflects the gender biases of the feudal landowning system but continues to be reinforced in modern society through cultural norms, education, and social practices.
One of the most concerning aspects is how women are often taught to undervalue money and prioritize spiritual pursuits, even to the extent of ‘selflessly dedicating’ themselves to ideals and altruism. This cultural ‘spiritual façade’ keeps women in a vulnerable position when it comes to financial matters: they struggle to claim their rightful property and lack the awareness to protect their resources. This not only deprives women of their fair share in family wealth distribution but also limits their opportunities for economic independence and the realization of their dreams in society.
At the heart of this issue is a profound civilizational problem. When society burdens women with excessive moral obligations, it fails to provide the necessary resources and support in return. As a result, women’s rights are left unprotected, and even basic respect becomes difficult to achieve.
2. Gender Inequality as a Sign of Underdeveloped Civilization
This issue stems from the level of civilizational and cultural development. In feudal societies, family property was passed down primarily through men, who were seen as the carriers of the family legacy, while women were assigned roles of support and service. Although this gender-based division started to loosen with the rise of industrial society, it remains deeply ingrained in many families.
Modern civic culture highlights individual rights and equality, particularly in the distribution of resources, where gender should not be a restricting factor. As society matures into a fully developed civic culture, gender equality will become an unquestionable norm. Women will no longer need to endure or compromise to claim their rights, but will naturally be recognized as equal holders of property rights. If gender bias persists, it would represent a regression in civilization. Humanity as a whole must remain alert to this backward slide.
Modern society’s progress is not just shown through economic development and technological innovation. It is also seen in the pursuit of fairness and justice. This pursuit requires us to reassess gender issues in wealth distribution, discard traditional views, and fight for women’s rightful rights. In doing so, we will advance human civilization even further.
3. The limits of Buddhism on women‘s rights
The article mentions that the author seeks guidance on wealth distribution through Buddhism, which reflects a deeper need for spiritual solace. It turned out that the Buddhist tradition’s attitude towards wealth is not one of outright denial. In the teachings of early Buddhism, the Buddha clearly instructed lay followers to learn how to manage and protect their property.
As lay practitioners, managing wealth properly is not only a fulfillment of personal responsibility but also a necessary condition for maintaining happiness in this life. The Buddha’s pragmatic view offers important insights for today: wealth management is not in conflict with spiritual pursuits, but rather a part of life. It forms the foundation for personal growth and fulfilling societal responsibilities.
However, the post clearly points out that there are limitations in Buddhist teachings when it comes to wealth management, particularly in addressing the needs of modern civilization. This is not due to a lack of wisdom in Buddhist doctrine, but because the social context during the Buddha’s time was vastly different from today’s modern society. As a result, traditional teachings cannot fully meet the awakening of women’s economic rights in the modern world. This issue is also present in other religions.
Modern women need more than just guidance on how to protect their property. They require a clear system of support and cultural backing to help them claim their rightful wealth and achieve economic independence.
4. The Shared Origin of all Faiths: a road towards gender equality
The idea of ‘the Shared Origin of all Faiths’ blends insights from multiple schools of thought, providing a fresh framework for tackling the complex issues of modern society. When it comes to wealth and gender rights, “the Shared Origin of all Faiths” promotes a more balanced and systematic approach to civilization and happiness:
- Understanding: Eradicating gender bias begins with awareness
Gender inequality in wealth distribution often stems from cultural habits and biased beliefs. Understanding emphasizes that through communication and education, family members and social institutions must reconsider the traditional gender division of labor. Only by recognizing the necessity and legitimacy of women’s fight for property rights can we lay the foundation for resolving this issue.
- Unity: Pursuing Equality in Rights and Responsibilities
Under the framework of the Shared Origin of all Faiths, wealth is not only a material resource but also a symbol of rights. Both family and society need to achieve equality of rights between genders, ensuring that women have the same status as men in property inheritance and resource distribution. Only with equal rights can women truly fulfill their social roles and realize their self-worth.
- Integration: Integrating individual rights into societal progress
Integration is not just about the realization of individual rights, but also about embedding these rights within the larger framework of societal development. Women’s involvement and contributions are indispensable, whether in wealth distribution or the advancement of civilization and happiness. Only by incorporating the awakening of women’s rights into the broader vision of civilization can society achieve true harmony and progress.
5. Women’s Rights Awakening: From Property to Shaping Civilization
The fight for women’s property rights goes beyond being a personal issue, as it is directly tied to the future of social civilization. Wealth is fundamentally a resource, and its distribution often shapes the power dynamics in society. In the past, women’s lack of access to wealth led to their marginalization. Today, the awakening of women’s property rights represents a vital step toward achieving social justice and fairness.
From managing household wealth to achieving gender equality in society, women need to challenge traditional beliefs and actively fight for control over resources. At the same time, society should reach a consensus on the creation of a fair environment through institutional support and cultural promotion to ensure women have equal opportunities.
The Shared Origin of all Faiths centers on human happiness and offers a vital path for women to claim equal rights by integrating wealth, spirituality and civilization. Wealth and happiness are not in opposition. Only with a strong material foundation can women truly manifest their self-worth and fulfill their ideals.
6. Conclusion: Toward a more civilized future
Money and power are unavoidable core issues in social relations. Women’s property issues are the result of the clash between traditional views and modern civilization, and a necessary challenge in the progress of society. We must acknowledge that fair wealth distribution is not only essential for individual happiness but also the foundation of social justice and harmony.
The Shared Origin of all Faiths offers an integrative perspective beyond religion and culture, reminding us that the development of civilization requires not only technological progress but also the elevation of values. As half of humanity, the awakening and realization of women’s rights is an essential demand for the overall improvement of human happiness.
When every woman has equal access to wealth and rights in both the family and society, a truly civilized society will be achieved. This future represents not just the awakening of women, but also the path to collective well-being for all humanity.
