A Critical Study of the Challenges Faced by Buddhist Bhikkhuni in the Sri Lankan Education System and Educational Inequality

Abstract

The primary question of this research is whether Sri Lankan pirivena education, historically the center of religious enlightenment, creates educational inequalities for nuns due to its current male-centric structure. The main objective of this study is to examine the structural, institutional, resource and sociocultural challenges faced by the female monastic community in Sri Lanka’s pirivena education system from a gender perspective. Mixed research methods were used for this study. Five selected bhikkhu pirivenas and five bhikkhunī educational institutions located in Colombo, Kandy and Anuradhapura districts were used as the sample. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 100 students, and qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 23 individuals including students, teachers, and administrators. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis methods were used to analyze the data. It was identified that laws such as the Pirivena Education Act No. 64 of 1979 structurally exclude nuns from the state system. Quantitative data analysis revealed that nuns have more than 50% fewer opportunities to study subjects such as Pali, Sanskrit, and Information Technology than monks. It was also observed that there is a huge disparity in the distribution of resources such as government funding and qualified teachers. Qualitative data analysis revealed that these external inequalities have created a psychosocial situation of low self-esteem within the female monastic community. This research concludes that there is a systematic and institutionalized gender-based inequality in the Sri Lankan Pirivena education system. This situation is contrary to the basic principles of equality in Buddhism. This study emphasizes that a multifaceted policy intervention is essential to resolve this problem, including amending the Pirivena Act, equitable distribution of resources, and modernizing the curriculum.