Buddhist Women in Education and Leadership in Indonesia: Navigating Challenges and Advancing Religious Moderation

Abstract

Buddhist women in Indonesia played an important but often overlooked role in religious education and leadership. This paper explores that how they navigate institutional and cultural challenges while contributing to Buddhist scholarship and community life. While Indonesia is home to Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, this study focuses primarily on the inclusive Buddhayāna movement, where greater opportunities for women’s participation have emerged. Despite facing stuctural barriers such as gender bias in religious institutions and limited access to leadership, still many women actively engage in teaching, digital education and community-based organization and leadership. Groups like Wanita Buddhis Indonesia (WBI) increases women's visibility and influence in both religious and interfaith space. The absence of a rigid patriarchal monastic authority in Indonesia has also create space for female leadership, as seen in the work of Parwati Soepangat, who advanced a localized Buddhist feminist theology. Based on feminist and organizational theory, this study examines that how Buddhist women contribute to religious moderation through interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding and values-based education. Their evolving roles highlight the need for greater institutional recognition and support for women’s participation in shaping Indonesia’s pluralistic and peaceful religious landscape.