Blurb:

Notwithstanding their typically subordinate status, throughout history and in every Buddhist region, charismatic female teachers have emerged and female monastics have played significant social roles. Indeed, this is increasingly true today, with nuns playing leading roles in numerous social activities in Taiwan, for instance. Finally, it should be remembered that female lay Buddhist devotees have had a significant impact throughout the religion’s history, and they continue to be actively engaged in countless institutions, societies, and movements, many of which help to give Buddhism a distinctly feminine face.