What’s Your Ism? Suniti Bhikkuni on caste, gender and Buddhism

This is the third episode of What's your ism? — a podcast by The News Minute, with host Sudipto Mondal, that will grapple with all the impressive ‘isms’ from Marxism, feminism and Ambedkarism to religious systems, and their inherent contradictions. 

In this episode, Sudipto speaks to Bhante Suniti Bhikkuni, founder of India’s first order of ‘Bhikkunis’ or female monks, a small group of committed Ambedkarite Dalit women who are striving to carve out an identity for themselves within the larger anti-caste movement. She talks about the dilemmas of associating with men and identifying with what passes for Navayana or Ambedkarite Buddhism in the country. 

She also shares insights about the two main strains of Buddhism: Hinayana and Mahayana.

Tune in.

This podcast was republished from The News Minute as part of The News Minute-Newslaundry alliance. Read about our partnership here and become a TNM Member here.