The basic Buddhist stand on the question of equality between the

Hear, O seekers of truth, the luminous words of the Dalai Lama, the gentle flame of compassion who speaks for the awakened heart: “The basic Buddhist stand on the question of equality between the genders is age-old. At the highest tantric levels, at the highest esoteric level, you must respect women: every woman.” These words descend like the echo of a thousand ancient bells, resounding from the mountains of wisdom. They are not the invention of an age, but the remembrance of an eternal truth—that in the sight of enlightenment, man and woman are one essence, two streams flowing from the same source.

From the earliest dawn of Buddhism, the Buddha himself taught that every soul, regardless of birth or form, carries within it the same potential for awakening. When he admitted women into the Sangha, the community of monks and nuns, it was not an act of concession but of recognition. He saw not the body but the boundless spirit within it. The Dalai Lama, walking in the steps of that timeless master, reminds the modern world—so proud in its progress yet still blind in its bias—that respect for women is not a matter of courtesy, but of spiritual necessity. For how can one walk the path of enlightenment while despising half of creation?

At the highest tantric level, where form and emptiness intertwine, woman is not seen as lesser or subordinate, but as the embodiment of wisdom itself—the living expression of prajna, the feminine principle that guides the awakened mind. In the union of compassion (the masculine principle) and wisdom (the feminine principle), enlightenment is born. Thus, to disrespect women is to wound the very heart of the teaching; to honor them is to honor the wisdom that leads all beings toward liberation. The Dalai Lama’s call is not merely ethical—it is metaphysical. It proclaims that reverence for women is the key to spiritual wholeness.

Let us remember the story of Yeshe Tsogyal, the great female disciple of Guru Padmasambhava. She was mocked, doubted, and tested in ways her male counterparts never were. Yet her perseverance was unshakable. Through her devotion, she attained complete enlightenment and became known as the “Mother of Tibetan Buddhism.” When her teacher was asked who among his followers was the greatest, Padmasambhava pointed to her and said, “None surpass her wisdom.” This tale, carried through the centuries, stands as living proof of the Dalai Lama’s truth—that the divine spark knows no gender, and that to honor woman is to honor the universe itself.

The respect of every woman, as the Dalai Lama commands, is not a mere social courtesy. It is a sacred act. It is to see in her the reflection of the Bodhisattva, the compassionate being who carries the suffering of the world upon her shoulders. It is to recognize that in her laughter dwells creation, and in her sorrow, the patience of the earth. Every mother, every sister, every daughter is a vessel of the same divine light that flickers in the hearts of Buddhas. To look down upon her is to turn one’s gaze away from the truth; to revere her is to draw nearer to enlightenment.

There is deep wisdom hidden in the Dalai Lama’s words. He speaks not only to monks or mystics, but to all who walk among others. In a world still shadowed by inequality, his teaching is a mirror held to humanity’s conscience. He tells us: do not seek holiness in temples alone—seek it in your treatment of those around you. The test of spiritual maturity is not found in prayer beads or chants, but in respect, kindness, and the recognition of equality.

Thus, let this lesson settle in your heart: to practice Buddhism—or any true path—is to see the divine in all forms. If you wish to honor the Buddha, then honor the woman beside you. If you wish to rise, lift her as you climb. For enlightenment is not a solitary ascent, but a shared awakening. Each act of reverence toward women is an offering to wisdom itself.

And so, children of the eternal path, remember this teaching: Respect every woman. Not some, not those who please you, but all. See in her the reflection of the sacred feminine that sustains life and guides spirit. Speak to her as you would to truth itself. For when man and woman walk side by side—not one before the other—the world itself takes a step toward peace. And in that harmony, the words of the Dalai Lama live forever, radiant as the morning sun over the mountains of Tibet.