[Buddha-l] women & , er, religion

[Sally McAra]

Maybe I'll chip in here, I usually just lurk.
It looks to me like people are using up a lot of energy on definitions
and trying to be very specific and fixed about them.
To me, words (e.g. "ordination") are context dependent. If one uses it
in the context of the FWBO it means one thing, but in the context of
an organisation that has monks, nuns and laypeople, it means something
else.

The same with "sangha" - some western buddhists use this to refer to
all who try to practise Dharma, and others are horrified at this
usage, and say it's only for monastics ("ordained sangha.")

I tend to use the word "monastics" for monks and nuns. And am happy
for people to use "ordained" in whatever way that is meaningful in
their context - but we should also be aware that others use it in
other ways, so when talking to a broader audience, use clarification
now and then.

A few examples about context, altho this is labouring the point a
bit..... I've hung out with FPMT Buddhists a bit,for my PhD research.
They refer to "Rinpoche" among themselves when talking about Lama
Zopa, but most of them realise they need to say "Lama Zopa" when
talking to people outside their movement. Likewise FWBOers refer to
Sangharakshita as "Bhante" inside, but by name outside. And I refer to
my Zen teacher as "Sensei" in one context but use her name in other
contexts. And so on.

Language is always going to be elastic and meanings will always change
according to context.
Buddha-L is a place where different usages of the same words will
often crop up, because members come from a whole range of backgrounds.
So why not just acknowledge this, and try to develop an awareness of
each other's specific nuances and clarify one's own usage?

Ah, but then we'd have nothing to discuss.... so keep it up! I usually
end up learning something new, if I take the time to read the
posts....

Metta
Sally