Gay and Buddhism

[Telstra]

Buddhism don't have the text written down that
such and such is sin and should be stone to death.

Only some desert religions written down in their holy books.

 

[csb999]

I would suggest that meaningless approval or disapproval of any state is probably meaningless .

 

[oakpope]

^ exactly.

Churches and clergymen want to teach others and would appreciate if other converted to their faith. And so they have to complied with the societies they are in to a certain degree.
Why Christmas is the 25th of December ? Certainly not because it's the real birth day of Jesus But because of pagan practices that the church wanted to incorporate to make the Christian message passes smoother.

But the true religious "leaders" , the Holy Men were all revolutionaries. They were purveyors of transcendent new thoughts and ideas and ways to see the world, morality changes, new teachings which inevitably clashed but the established norms of their times.

So the churches are in between two fires, the novelty of they religious messages and the traditions of the people that predate the religious paradigm change.

And so the human thing begins, the true religious meanings are mellowed, changed, transmuted to allow easier integration. If something is not in direct violation of the core message, then it is absorbs.

Eatings habits, are tradition based, but are integrated in religion? That's nonsense.
Clothing habits are traditional based, like Arabian women clothes. It was mixed in the Islamic religion because it was easier that way to convert men to the church.
Homosexuality in our modern world were long seen, in tradition, as morally wrong, so the churches incorporated theses traditions, even at the cost of misunderstanding the most important message of religion : love thy neighbor as thyself.

And as Churches and Clergymen are people among people, they're the self proclaimed interpreters of God's will, they were and are down in the political arena, with all the evil and twisting and fanaticism that come with that.

The world will be a wonderful world when Humanity will understand the true sense of religion. Religion is for freedom, is for tolerance, for understanding the meanings of things and that some values like Life and Love and Tolerance are paramount, and that power corrupts, that humanity are blind to the errors of their traditions, that suffering is never justified. I would change my ideologies or political views if those where ever to "justify" the death of just one man.

I pray often that the few and rare Holy Men of this Earth could gather and speak among themselves, and then speak to the world, to show us paths, to illuminates all among us who are not so wise, to let us think and ponder and see the ways that are just and the ways that are just imposed upon us by the past, that we follow like robots because we're not even conscious of their fallacies. Two thousand years ago, anybody would have said that the Earth is flat. But anybody would have said they love their spouses, their family.


Hum, not sure I was clear here, hope some will understand what I was trying to say

 

[freefall]

It's kinda controversial in Buddhism teaching. There isn't any written text which directly mention any objections against homosexuality, however, it is also forbidden, judged from other context.

The principles of Buddhism is to avoid dukka (roughly translated as 'hardships' or 'sadness', though not at all precise) in order to achieve nirvana. To achieve this state, one must detach themselves from any attachment to the world, including hedonistic activities. Sex is included here; it is even described in detail: not utilising any parts of the body or cavities (I forgot the real verse). So here, homosexuality is mildly implicated to be prohibitied.

However, Buddhism also states that everyone must love any other lifeforms as though themselves, regardless of their species or gender, regardless of the form of love. So here, homosexuality is seen as being okay.

Even the Buddhist masters (including Dalai Lama) have divided opinions on this, so it's pretty hard to determine.

 

[glasvegas]

Since Buddhism originated from India, there is slight similarities between the two. As a Buddhist/taoism, we hardly talk about being gay, even if the issue come up, we don't usually say that's against the religion, God will not love you, you'll perish in hell etc. We just think it is wrong to love same sex.

 

[ZmercTheDuke]

One thing I like most about buddhism is that you dont have practive everything from it. You can practice or believe what ever feels right to you. Because whole bases of buddhism is to be happy, have a clear mind and be unfed with one self. so if your homosexual and that makes you happy then of course thats what you should do. You'll find that most buddhist or people that practice some buddhist beliefs are very accepting and open minded. I cant imagine any of them ever looking down on someone because their LGBT

 

[falcie]

The Panca-Sila of Buddhism denouces all form of sexual misconduct.

What people above have said is true. Buddhism, as a general rule denounces all forms of sexual activity for fear of something called, kama-tanah, that is, attachment to sensual pleasure. Attachment (tanha) much be overcome in all aspects of life in order to attain enlightenment (nibbana). This is the distilled essence of Sambhogakaya, which is what Mahayana Buddhists in particular believe is the physical manifestation of buddhas, not just the historical Buddha, but all those who attain enlightenment.

In this way, Buddhism isn't so much pro-gay, or even neutral. It just lumps in homosexuality with all other forms of sexual misconduct. In Buddhism there is no punishment for this type of 'misconduct', which is refreshing at least.

(knew that Buddhism A-Level would come in useful)

 

[Telstra]

It's kinda controversial in Buddhism teaching. There isn't any written text which directly mention any objections against homosexuality, however, it is also forbidden, judged from other context.

The principles of Buddhism is to avoid dukka (roughly translated as 'hardships' or 'sadness', though not at all precise) in order to achieve nirvana. To achieve this state, one must detach themselves from any attachment to the world, including hedonistic activities. Sex is included here; it is even described in detail: not utilising any parts of the body or cavities (I forgot the real verse). So here, homosexuality is mildly implicated to be prohibitied.

However, Buddhism also states that everyone must love any other lifeforms as though themselves, regardless of their species or gender, regardless of the form of love. So here, homosexuality is seen as being okay.

Even the Buddhist masters (including Dalai Lama) have divided opinions on this, so it's pretty hard to determine.

mmm sounds like bestiality is ok ...

 

[Telstra]

The Panca-Sila of Buddhism denouces all form of sexual misconduct.

What people above have said is true. Buddhism, as a general rule denounces all forms of sexual activity for fear of something called, kama-tanah, that is, attachment to sensual pleasure. Attachment (tanha) much be overcome in all aspects of life in order to attain enlightenment (nibbana). This is the distilled essence of Sambhogakaya, which is what Mahayana Buddhists in particular believe is the physical manifestation of buddhas, not just the historical Buddha, but all those who attain enlightenment.

In this way, Buddhism isn't so much pro-gay, or even neutral. It just lumps in homosexuality with all other forms of sexual misconduct. In Buddhism there is no punishment for this type of 'misconduct', which is refreshing at least.

(knew that Buddhism A-Level would come in useful)

They are for the monks who practice buddhism.
Not for the general public who don't practice their daily lives.

 

[oakpope]

Are monks allowed to masturbate ? (in all religion, I don't know at all, I'm curious)

 

[Telstra]

Are monks allowed to masturbate ? (in all religion, I don't know at all, I'm curious)

No, because masturbation is about earthly desires.
They practice heavenly desires (what ever that means).

 

[falcie]

They are for the monks who practice buddhism.
Not for the general public who don't practice their daily lives.

Actually, the five precepts are the moral code for every lay Budddhist, the Upisaka, and Upisika.
Monks and nuns, Bhikkus and Bhukkunis, actually follow a set of ten precepts. Which are the first five lay precepts, and then an additional five. (Which if I remember correctly, are abstaining from dancing, wearing perfume, eating after noon, sleeping on luxurious beds, and handling money.)

You're getting confused between the five and ten precepts of the Buddhist faith. Every lay Buddhist adheres to the Panca-sila.

 

[Telstra]

Actually, the five precepts are the moral code for every lay Budddhist, the Upisaka, and Upisika.
Monks and nuns, Bhikkus and Bhukkunis, actually follow a set of ten precepts. Which are the first five lay precepts, and then an additional five. (Which if I remember correctly, are abstaining from dancing, wearing perfume, eating after noon, sleeping on luxurious beds, and handling money.)

You're getting confused between the five and ten precepts of the Buddhist faith. Every lay Buddhist adheres to the Panca-sila.

Most buddhists are non practicing.
What ever the rules are they don't know the rules.

Same with other religions. They are non practicing.
They just gather in groups for community, crowd and networking purposes.

 

[zoltanspawn]

The Panca-Sila of Buddhism denouces all form of sexual misconduct.

What people above have said is true. Buddhism, as a general rule denounces all forms of sexual activity for fear of something called, kama-tanah, that is, attachment to sensual pleasure.

All forms of sexual activity are sexual misconduct for every buddhist?

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

one is bunch a male
ans othda is bunch a male
ans so on
ans fe=male
get a female
ans then
soup
ans so on

there go

bee watchurs theys is temple of da honey
ans sit about all day goin hummmms ans wait
* wait fa wot? *

dat got watch nex episode

Kool

 

[AngolaZee]

The Panca-Sila of Buddhism denouces all form of sexual misconduct.

What people above have said is true. Buddhism, as a general rule denounces all forms of sexual activity for fear of something called, kama-tanah, that is, attachment to sensual pleasure. Attachment (tanha) much be overcome in all aspects of life in order to attain enlightenment (nibbana). This is the distilled essence of Sambhogakaya, which is what Mahayana Buddhists in particular believe is the physical manifestation of buddhas, not just the historical Buddha, but all those who attain enlightenment.

In this way, Buddhism isn't so much pro-gay, or even neutral. It just lumps in homosexuality with all other forms of sexual misconduct. In Buddhism there is no punishment for this type of 'misconduct', which is refreshing at least.

(knew that Buddhism A-Level would come in useful)

I think you need to make a distinction here to us. Does Buddhism treat all sexual acts/relations(homo and hetero) as sexual misconduct? Because only then can you proceed to say homosexuality is lumped together with other sexual misconduct. The reason I'm saying this is because it seems to me YOU have decided homosexuality is sexual misconduct and since Buddhism teaches against sexual misconduct than homosexuality is frowned upon by Buddhism.

 

[freefall]

In this way, Buddhism isn't so much pro-gay, or even neutral. It just lumps in homosexuality with all other forms of sexual misconduct. In Buddhism there is no punishment for this type of 'misconduct', which is refreshing at least.

I disagree with the misconduct notion. There is nowhere in the Tripitaka mentioning sexual activities as 'misconductions'. Instead, it is described as 'earthly desires' and thus must be avoided in order to reach nirvana. Sexual activities are thus not wrong, it is just that following sexual urges, as well as other earthly desires, will cause the cycle of karma and dukka to repeat again and again, hence unobtainable nirvana.

Are monks allowed to masturbate ? (in all religion, I don't know at all, I'm curious)

No. Monks are required to be abstinent to achieve nirvana, so all earthly desires must be left behind. Masturbation is of course one of them.

 

[freefall]

^Actually, homosexuality is not a part of misconducts prohibited by Buddhism. The term 'sexual misconducts' refer to the behaviour, likewise you say, whereas homosexuality is not a behaviour. It is an orientation, an identity.

And you hold the wrong definition of 'suffering', or more precisely, in its original language, dukka. Dukka, like what I explained earlier, roughly means 'sorrow' or 'suffering', but this is not the correct term. Dukka is always present due to the ever-changing state of life and thus is more appropriate defined as a state of dissatisfaction throughout life. My Buddhist teacher simplified dukka as "the feeling when you achieve something you always wanted, which quickly disappear because you already want something else, not necessarily because you're ravenous, but more to because as soon as you are satisfied, you desire something else to cover a new dissatisfaction."

Thus all activities, both which brings pleasure or harm to the body, can be considered as dukka. The same applies to sex, since sex can evoke both things to someone.

However, it is, once again, not prohibited. Buddhism advises to stay abstinent to release oneself from earthly things, because being constantly tied to those things is the source of dukka.

 

[freefall]

^I believe the word you'd be looking for is 'sodomites', not 'homosexuality'. In that term, it is more appropriate since in olden scripts, usually anal sex is more stressed-out than other sexual behaviours in men who have sex with men.

 

[hotb0d]

Buddhism is a religion (and I'm using this term loosely because it's easier for people to understand) of one. You obviously have to start out by learning from those who are more well versed in Buddhist teaching. But as you begin to understand the core meanings of Buddhism, it's your job to move forward and find the meaning on your own. Buddha became enlightened under a tree, on his own. Not many people seem to understand that as they "practice" Buddhism through means of gatherings and "texts".

Who am I to judge, people have their own way of confirming their beliefs and sanity.

Back to your original question, I would not say that Buddhism is pro-gay. The final goal of Buddhism is to detach oneself of everything. It is to remove oneself from all obsessions and possessions.

That is a goal that is unattainable if you try to attain it.

But I do have to say that most Buddhists do try to live as sin-less as possible. In that regards, loving another human being is not a sin. In that sense, Buddhism is pro-gay.

I can see some smart-ass asking: does that mean if I love an animal, it's okay?

all I can say is: love is not sex, and sex is not love. Someone can use sex as an expression of love, but love does not need sex to love.

The thing that I love about Buddhism is it's free to interpretation because everything was passed down through oral tradition. Many sects try to reinvent Buddhism through their point of view by means of claiming possession of ancient texts. But if you can understand the core of Buddhism, you know that it's unnecessary.