Rita M. Gross
Encyclopedia
Rita M. Gross is a scholar and practitioner of Buddhism
, a pioneer and author on issues concerning Buddhism and gender
. She was Professor Emerita of Comparative Studies in Religion
, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. She was a president of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies and co-editor of the Journal of Buddhist-Christian Studies
.
Currently, she is a Lopon (Acharya
) at the North American centre of Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche
.
In her latest book, Gross characterizes her quest for truth like this:
, where she finished her dissertation in 1975 on the topic of "Exclusion and Participation: The Role of Women in Aboriginal Australian Religions".
After a decade of the study and practice of Judaism
, Gross felt attracted by Buddhism in its Vajrayana
expression. Having moved to Eau Claire
in 1973 she entered extensive studies of Asian religion and philosophy, started to practice meditation and eventually converted to Buddhism.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, a pioneer and author on issues concerning Buddhism and gender
Gender
Gender is a range of characteristics used to distinguish between males and females, particularly in the cases of men and women and the masculine and feminine attributes assigned to them. Depending on the context, the discriminating characteristics vary from sex to social role to gender identity...
. She was Professor Emerita of Comparative Studies in Religion
Comparative religion
Comparative religion is a field of religious studies that analyzes the similarities and differences of themes, myths, rituals and concepts among the world's religions...
, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. She was a president of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies and co-editor of the Journal of Buddhist-Christian Studies
Buddhist-Christian Studies
Buddhist-Christian Studies is an academic journal covering the historical and contemporary interrelationships between Buddhism and Christianity...
.
Currently, she is a Lopon (Acharya
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
) at the North American centre of Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche
Khandro Rinpoche
Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche is a rare example of a female Tibetan Buddhist lama...
.
In her latest book, Gross characterizes her quest for truth like this:
- "This Garland of Feminist Reflections represents my lifelong concern to live deeply immersed in exploring and understanding questions of ultimate significance. It also represents my lifelong concern with how women have pursued such questions, or have been prevented from pursuing such interests by the prison of gender roles specific to their culture. The first concern is core and the second is adventitious."
Life and work
Gross was born as the only daughter to a family of farmers in northern Wisconsin and studied at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and the University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, where she finished her dissertation in 1975 on the topic of "Exclusion and Participation: The Role of Women in Aboriginal Australian Religions".
After a decade of the study and practice of Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, Gross felt attracted by Buddhism in its Vajrayana
Vajrayana
Vajrayāna Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle...
expression. Having moved to Eau Claire
Eau Claire
Eau Claire is the name of a number of locations and features in North America. The name is pronounced as if it were spelled "O'Clare".-Communities:*Eau Claire, Calgary, a neighborhood in Calgary, Alberta...
in 1973 she entered extensive studies of Asian religion and philosophy, started to practice meditation and eventually converted to Buddhism.