Laughter, creativity, and perseverance female agency in Buddhism and Hinduism edited by Ute Hüsken.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: Female Agency in Buddhist and Hindu Contexts / Ute Hüsken -- Section I. Renewing Religion in Female Spaces: 1.1. Exclusion, Secrecy and the (Under)ground: Dynamics of Female Religious and Ritual Agency in Kalmykia / Valeriya Gazizova --1.2. "This is not a Home, it is a Temple": Creative Agency in Navarāttitri Kolu / Ina Marie Lunde Ilkama -- Section II. Appropriation of Male Spaces: 2.1. Body-Politics and the Gendered Politics of Hindu Militancy: Shiv Sena Women and Political Agency in Western India / Tarini Bedi -- 2.2. Buddhist 'Radicalism': A Vehicle for Female Empowerment? / Melyn McKay & Iselin Frydenlund -- 2.3. Laughing on a Rooftop: Female Buddhist Agency as Local in Lumbini, Nepal / Amy Paris Langenberg -- 2.4. Right to Pray: A Comparative Analysis of Sabarimala and Śani / Shefali More -- Section III. Performing Religion Publicly: 3.1. Hindu Women and the Gendering of Religious and Ritual Authority in Trinidad / Priyanka Ramlakhan -- 3.2. Tradition, Innovation, and Resistance? Training Girls in Sanskrit and Vedic Rituals / Ute Hüsken -- 3.3. "I Will be the Śaṅkarācāryā for Women!": Gender, Agency, and a Guru's Quest for Equality in Hinduism / Antoinette Elizabeth DeNapoli -- Section IV. Research Strategies: 4. Female Agency in Buddhism and Hinduism: Methodological Reflections and Collective Commitments / Caroline Starkey.

"In most mainstream traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, women have for centuries largely been excluded from positions of religious and ritual leadership. However, as this volume shows, in an increasing number of late 20th century and early 21st century contexts, women can and do undergo monastic and priestly education; they can receive ordination/initiation as Buddhist nuns or Hindu priestesses; and they are accepted as religious and political leaders. Even though these processes still largely take place outside or at the margins of traditional religious institutions, it is clear that women are actually establishing new religious trends and currents. They are attracting followers, and they are occupying religious positions on par with men. At times women are filling a void left behind by male religious specialists who left the profession, at times they are perceived as their rivals. In some cases, this process takes place in collaboration with male religious specialists, in others against the will of the women's male counterparts. However, in most cases we see both, acceptance and resistance. Whether silently or with great fanfare, women grasp new opportunities to occupy positions of leadership. Ten in-depth case studies analysing culturally, historically and geographically unique situations explore the historical background, contemporary trajectories, and impact of the emergence of new powerful female agencies in mostly conservative Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions"-- Provided by publisher.