Question

Men and women could join the sangha. What does it tell you about the status of women in the period under study?

Answer 1

Under Buddhism, both men and women were allowed to join the Sangha. This equality of women with men in terms of ecclesiastical matters was a novel concept. This is so because of the prevalent orthodoxy and patriarchy in the Brahmanical religion. Women, especially of the upper classes like Brahmans and Kshatriyas, were forbidden from reading the sacred texts and participating in most religious conducts.