Sample Book Paper

A Report on Journey in Search of the Way: The Spiritual Autobiography of Satomi Myōdō

By: Student xxx

For: Robert Menzies

November x, 20xx

RELxxxx

Book Report: Journey in Search of the Way: The Spiritual Autobiography of Satomi Myōdō

Jnanavira states that Buddhism is “a way of life that leads to universal Enlightenment without regard for sex or even species” (1). While Satomi Myōdō rejected the prescribed Japanese traditional roles of the feminine, of being a good mother, a good wife and filial piety, these roles continue to plague her throughout her life. After struggling to find her place in religion, Satomi Myōdō finally reaches kenshō during the spiritual guidance of Yastutani Rōshi while following Zen Buddhism. Throughout her religious journey Myōdō is haunted by the ghosts of her past; though she rejects the roles quite early on in the book, her failure as a good wife, mother and daughter are constantly at the back of her mind. It is only when she realises the need to “knock over … [the] flagpole[s]” of reflection that she is able to attain the first level of enlightenment.

In chapter one, “Moral Education”, Satomi Myōdō questions what marriage and being a good mother and wife is comprised. Myōdō goes on to compare men to wild animals, specifically panthers. Throughout her schooling at the Public Girls’ School Myōdō receives “grandmotherly kindness” which she says, “was to cultivate the flawless good wife and wise mother and to preserve her virginal innocence until marriage” (5). It is interesting to note here that the “grandmotherly kindness” that she receives is the moral education talk that takes place on several occasions at the high school by the male principle. While Myōdō rejects the feminine ideal, she is linking the type of education she is receiving from man to a quality that she sees as inherently female. Myōdō is linking the “grandmotherly kindness” to a male principle teaching about a woman’s moral goodness and yet this...