What do buddists think of gay people

Various contemporary teachers of Tibetan Buddhist lineages, including the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, have offered understanding towards LGBTQ people while noting that same-sex relationships do not necessarily constitute misconduct for lay people. The Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism has campaigned against prejudice toward homosexuals, but at the same time has adopted a religious view against non-procreative sex: “Homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself.

Although there is no general consensus with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity within Buddhism, overall the third precept is most often referenced when discussing gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gay issues. New research shows how LGBTQIA+ Buddhists in Australia struggle to come what, feel pressure to lie about their sexuality and experience discrimination.

The result is that Buddhist attitudes toward LGBTQ people are more a reflection of cultural attitudes than Buddhist philosophy per se. While traditional Buddhist societies are more conservative, the Buddhist community in the West is generally socially liberal and very welcoming to LGBTQ members. Specifically the Tripitaka highlights the case of a bhikku monk Wakkali who became a monk purely because he was physically attracted to how handsome Lord Buddha was.

I remember going and sitting with the women, and all the old [local] ladies laughing at me and pushing me back into the midsection [next to the men]. At its best, this tradition in Christianity to loudly denounce buddists think and people has given the West its high degree of social conscience. She was not allowed to join a Tibetan sangha community in Australia because of her sexuality. But I was disappointed that he chose not to speak personally and directly, beyond Buddhist tradition, to the real harm of some of these misconduct teachings, and their irrelevance for modern Buddhists and others.

Homosexuality would certainly come under this type of behaviour. Whether you are gay or straight the most important thing in life is not to create harm and respect others lifestyles without creating them harm, this is a basic foundation of Buddhism as is the philosophy of seeking inner contentment, happiness and east. It is not singled out for special condemnation, but rather simply mentioned along with a wide range of other sexual behaviour as contravening the rule that requires monks and nuns to be celibate.

Does buddhism accept everyone

What do you think of homosexuality, for example? Others who identify as heterosexuals would be in a slightly more advantageous setting. Nano a queer non-binary man reflected on how it felt when they attended a retreat:. I would have to potentially deal with my own possible lusts should they arise within the shared environment. Secondly, it could be argued that while the biological function of sex is reproduction, most sexual activity today is not for reproduction, but for recreation and emotional fulfillment, and that this too is a legitimate function of sex.

The ultimate goal of Buddhism is Nirvana, a state of mental peace and purity and anything that leads one in that direction is good. Another Christian objection to homosexuality is that it is condemned in the Bible, an argument that is gay people to those who accept that the Bible is the infallible word of God, but which is meaningless to the majority who do not accept this.

But while there is no doubt that the Bible condemns homosexuality, it also stipulates that women should be socially isolated while menstruating, that parents should kill their children if they worship any god other than the Christian God and that those who work on the Sabbath should be executed. Read more: Friday essay: how the West discovered the Buddha.

Homosexuality was known in ancient India; it is explicitly mentioned in the Vinaya monastic discipline and prohibited. Thailand, which had no colonial experience, still has no such laws. Whether or not homosexuality, sexual behaviour between people of the same sex, would be breaking the third Precept is what I would like to examine here.

We what buddists control psychological and physical violence born of delusion. In the case of the lay man and woman where there is mutual consent, where adultery is not involved and where the sexual act is an expression of love, respect, loyalty and warmth, it would not be breaking the third Precept.

The Dalai Lama's View on Sexuality, "According to Buddhist Tradition" | Lion’s Roar

Although the Dalai Lama opposed violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation, he did not commit himself to helping correct harmful Buddhist teachings still on the books-including the conduct codes which can fuel homophobic behavior among Buddhist teachers and students. Article reproduced with persmission from Rainbow News Vol.

Another section of the Tripitaka refers to an incident where a novice monk masturbated a high ordained monk. Indeed, for him or her, heterosexual behaviour is unnatural. We must continue to insist that the tradition change. Indeed, this is the strongest argument for acceptance and understanding towards homosexuals. The criteria are what might be called the universality principle — to act towards others the way we would like them to act towards us.