Buddhist Philosophy, Gender, and Liberation in Kuenzang Chodens The Circle of Karma

Name of Author : N. M. Sri Prasanna, Dr. T. Smiles

Abstract: Kuenzang Chodens The Circle of Karma (2005) presents a profound literary engagement with the Buddhist philosophy of karma by integrating religious doctrine into the narrative structure, characterization, and thematic development of the novel. This article examines how the Mahayana Buddhist understanding of karma functions not merely as a theological concept but as the governing principle that shapes the protagonist Tsomos experiences of suffering, displacement, moral transformation, and eventual spiritual liberation. Drawing upon close textual analysis and Buddhist philosophical discourse, the study argues that Choden redefines karma as a dynamic and transformative force rather than a deterministic doctrine of fate. The article further explores the intersection of karmic causality with gendered oppression, demonstrating how patriarchal customs and social inequalities are represented as consequences of both individual moral agency and culturally embedded structures. Finally, the paper investigates the symbolic significance of Tsomos physical and spiritual journeys, illustrating how suffering becomes the necessary catalyst for self realization and ethical awakening. By foregrounding the interrelationship between Buddhist ethics and literary representation, Choden expands the interpretive possibilities of contemporary Bhutanese fiction while simultaneously offering a nuanced critique of social injustice through the philosophical lens of karma. Ultimately, The Circle of Karma emerges as a narrative in which suffering is transformed into spiritual knowledge, affirming the Buddhist conviction that liberation becomes attainable through moral awareness, compassionate action, and the conscious transformation of ones karmic existence.

Keywords : Philosophy, Gender, and Liberation

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