Culture and menstruation

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The relationship between culture and menstruation is expressed in many ways. A variety of menstrual-related traditions exist. One group of authors has even theorized that menstruation may have played a key role in the development of symbolic culture in early human society.^[1]

Contents 1 Buddhism 2 Christianity 3 Hinduism 4 Ayyavazhi 5 Islam 6 Judaism 7 Sikhism 8 Tribal societies 9 Mysticism 10 See also 11 References

[edit] Buddhism

In Buddhism (Theravada or Hinayana) menstruation is viewed as "a natural physical excretion that women have to go through on a monthly basis, nothing more or less". However Hindu belief and practice carried over into Thai buddhist culture.^[2]

Furthermore some state that some sects of "Japanese Buddhism, in particular, has been characterised by a persistent anti-feminism" with menstruating women banned from attending temples.^[3]

[edit] Christianity

Most Christian denominations do not follow any specific rituals or rules related to menstruation. Some Christian denominations, including many authorities of the Orthodox Church, advise women not to receive communion during their menstrual period.^[4] Other denominations follow the rules laid out in the Holiness Code section of Leviticus, somewhat similar to the Jewish ritual of Niddah.

[edit] Hinduism

As per Hinduism, a woman having periods cannot be part of religious ceremonies for the first 4 days of the cycle.

[edit] Ayyavazhi

Almost all the practices of women during their menses in Hindu culture were also practices in Ayyavazhi society. However, they did enter the kitchen and bathe on each day of their menses.

[edit] Islam

The traditional Islamic interpretation of the Qur'an forbids intercourse, but not physical intimacy, during a woman's menstrual period. During menstrual period, women are not required to perform prayers and fasting.^[5] Some scholars believe that women are not authorised to enter mosque during this period. And, after the period, a spiritual bath is required to be able to perform prayers, fasting, and to enter the mosque - the same type of bath required of both men and women after sexual intercourse.

[edit] Judaism

A ritual exclusion applies to a woman while menstruating and for about a week thereafter, until she immerses herself in a mikvah (ritual bath). During this time, a married couple must avoid sexual intercourse and physical intimacy. Certain Jewish groups forbid women and men from even touching or passing things to each other during this period. While Orthodox Jews follow this exclusion, many Jews in other branches of the religion do not.

[edit] Sikhism

Nānak, the founder of the Sikh faith, condemned the practice of treating women as impure while menstruating.^[6]

[edit] Tribal societies

In some tribal societies, menstruating women practice certain rituals. For example, Dogon women stay in a special hut during their menstrual period.

[edit] Mysticism

Mystics have sometimes elaborated "equivalencies", analogising the waxing and waning of the moon with influences on human menstruation. In this spiritual, moon goddess, or astrological context some women call menstruation their "moontime". Some ancient views also regarded menstruation as a cleansing of the body: compare bloodletting as a major medical treatment of pre-modern times.

[edit] See also

• Menstrual taboo
• Menstruation and the origins of culture

[edit] References

1. ^ Chris Knight (1991). Blood relations: menstruation and the origins of culture. New Haven, Conn: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-04911-0. 
   Knight, Chris; Camilla Power & Ian Watts (1995). "The Human Symbolic Revolution: A Darwinian Account". Cambridge Archaeological Journal 5 (1): 75-114. Retrieved on 2006-12-13. 
2. ^ Buddha Dharma Education Association (2004). 21: It is commonly believed that women are unclean. How true is this belief?. Women in Buddhism: Questions & Answers. BuddhaNet. Retrieved on May 28, 2006.
3. ^ Dharmacari Jnanavira. "A Mirror for Women? Reflections of the Feminine in Japanese Buddhism". Western Buddhist Review Volume 4. Retrieved on 2006-05-28. 
4. ^ Patrick Barnes. Menstruation, Emissions, and Holy Communion. Orthodox Christian Information Center. Retrieved on April 2, 2006.
5. ^ "2.222", Koran. 
6. ^ Singh, Kanwarjit (1989). "Chapter V - Human Rights", Political Philosophy of the Sikh Gurus. Atlantic. Retrieved on June 12, 2006.