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Lama Shenpen on Homosexuality
Jeffrey
Veteran
From Buddhism Connect of the Awakened Heart Sangha. A free email weekly question and answers.
A Buddhist view of homosexuality
Summary: A student asks Lama Shenpen for her position on homosexuality and she suggests how traditional views may give way to a more sophisticated modern interpretation
A student asks:
I don't believe I have seen this subject discussed before. What is your understanding of your Buddhist faith and how it relates to Homosexuality? Is it possible to be a Buddhist and be a Gay male in a relationship with another Gay male?
Lama Shenpen replies:
Thank you for your question. It is an important one because our sexuality is something quite intimate and for most people something we take for granted. So to find oneself asking questions about it feels like exposing something quite personal. There are many Buddhists and Buddhist teachers who are homosexuals and a number of good friends of mine in the Buddhist world are homosexuals.
You ask me what is my understanding of my Buddhist faith on the issue of homosexuality. Actually it has changed over the years. Originally I thought simply in terms of the sexual act and the sections in the Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa and other texts on shila (ethical behaviour) where it specified that one should employ the appropriate organ. I assumed this meant the sex organs of men and women in the heterosexual pro-creative act and only that. The question would then be what does a homosexual couple do in bed.
However, these days homosexuality can be as much about being faithful and caring to one's partner as a heterosexual partnership can be and in both cases what one does in bed is a private matter. Buddhist practitioners interpret the precepts for themselves in that regard. I have no problem with that because when it comes to the Buddhist precepts, the whole point of them is to live our lives in a way that is conducive to peace and happiness for ourselves and others. Whether homosexual, heterosexual or masturbating, over-indulgence in sexual desire is a problem, violence and abuse towards oneself and others is a problem, unfaithfulness and breach of trust is a problem - all this is problematic because it disturbs the mind both of oneself and others. But a loving homosexual partnership in our society these days does not have to involve any of the above. It compares with a loving heterosexual partnership and our society now has laws that recognise that. Indeed, to stand out against homosexuals in a society that is learning to live at peace and in harmony with a whole range of sexual preferences seems to me to be promoting prejudice and disharmony which is clearly harmful to oneself and others and against the Buddhist precepts.
The Buddha told Ananda that his followers should keep to the main most important rules and adapt the lesser ones to circumstances. I regard any implication in the Buddhist teachings about ethical sexual behaviour that homosexuality as such is against the precepts to be due to the cultural norms of the time and therefore not a major rule so can be readily adapted to circumstances.
Ananda: cousin and attendant of Buddha Shakyamuni, known for his kindness and phenomenal memory.
A Buddhist view of homosexuality
Summary: A student asks Lama Shenpen for her position on homosexuality and she suggests how traditional views may give way to a more sophisticated modern interpretation
A student asks:
I don't believe I have seen this subject discussed before. What is your understanding of your Buddhist faith and how it relates to Homosexuality? Is it possible to be a Buddhist and be a Gay male in a relationship with another Gay male?
Lama Shenpen replies:
Thank you for your question. It is an important one because our sexuality is something quite intimate and for most people something we take for granted. So to find oneself asking questions about it feels like exposing something quite personal. There are many Buddhists and Buddhist teachers who are homosexuals and a number of good friends of mine in the Buddhist world are homosexuals.
You ask me what is my understanding of my Buddhist faith on the issue of homosexuality. Actually it has changed over the years. Originally I thought simply in terms of the sexual act and the sections in the Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa and other texts on shila (ethical behaviour) where it specified that one should employ the appropriate organ. I assumed this meant the sex organs of men and women in the heterosexual pro-creative act and only that. The question would then be what does a homosexual couple do in bed.
However, these days homosexuality can be as much about being faithful and caring to one's partner as a heterosexual partnership can be and in both cases what one does in bed is a private matter. Buddhist practitioners interpret the precepts for themselves in that regard. I have no problem with that because when it comes to the Buddhist precepts, the whole point of them is to live our lives in a way that is conducive to peace and happiness for ourselves and others. Whether homosexual, heterosexual or masturbating, over-indulgence in sexual desire is a problem, violence and abuse towards oneself and others is a problem, unfaithfulness and breach of trust is a problem - all this is problematic because it disturbs the mind both of oneself and others. But a loving homosexual partnership in our society these days does not have to involve any of the above. It compares with a loving heterosexual partnership and our society now has laws that recognise that. Indeed, to stand out against homosexuals in a society that is learning to live at peace and in harmony with a whole range of sexual preferences seems to me to be promoting prejudice and disharmony which is clearly harmful to oneself and others and against the Buddhist precepts.
The Buddha told Ananda that his followers should keep to the main most important rules and adapt the lesser ones to circumstances. I regard any implication in the Buddhist teachings about ethical sexual behaviour that homosexuality as such is against the precepts to be due to the cultural norms of the time and therefore not a major rule so can be readily adapted to circumstances.
Ananda: cousin and attendant of Buddha Shakyamuni, known for his kindness and phenomenal memory.
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Comments
The Buddha & Ananda incident was a discussion about the monk's Vinaya (rules).
Thus, this is irrelevent for laypeople.
Buddha made no rules about homosexuality for laypeople.
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa is not a teaching of the Buddha.
Regards
I know the time is coming when , as a matter of course, polygamy will be given the same status as hetero and homo sexual relationships.... The time of 'Big Love' is at hand. How can it not be so?
I know this lifestyle , this marriage structure, is a difficult one to praise or advocate , but fair is fair. Newbuddhists need to get on board the love train (even I will stay away from this comment).
Somebody please help me with the new acronym. No longer LGBT but LGBTP . Not catchy at all.
Sndymorn, I wanted to address the polygamy thing really quick. I know many high-profile polygamists and socialize with them often. From my perspective though, this law will be slow to change. Slower than rights for the LGBT imo. I mean, we're just barely seeing Kody Brown challenge Utah's polygamy laws that make it illegal. That's a step, but I don't see many pro-polygamy movements. It's a bit of a different issue I think. Most polygamists I know don't care if the state recognizes their marriages. They just don't want to go to prison for it. I think that the ill effects of the recent underage smuggling and Warren Jeffs also kind of dampens the mood of the pro-polygamy movement at this time.
When you’re gay you’re gay. Period.
Let the Buddha say what he wants; let the Buddhist community struggle with their high moral standards. Just be yourself. Don’t ask for approval.
To champion one type of sexual behavior, adult and consensual , and marriage "rights," is to champion all such unions. I only want to insert this notion because it is always ignored but nonetheless omnipresent . It is the bottom line in the marriage debate and should not be ignored.
I am only saying.
Pardon my assertion.
As far as I know its work safe, won't take you off of newbuddhist.
Hee hee
Please keep the thread on-topic guys/gals. Thank you.
(Runs and hides)
& aversion to sex is a trap of samsāra too.
^Sowwy cloud :P
I wouldn't mind having a sugar mama take care of me financially and then be pre-occupied with other guys
You are coming across as quite arrogant towards people having honest discussions. May I suggest your approach will not be well-received, nor is it enlightening or helpful.
And then perhaps we would all learn something about each other and move forward.
Not so long ago the gay rights movement started, and very shortly before that the civil rights movement. Great strides have been made in both, but to a much lesser extent the gay community. You are entitled to your views, as were the people against civil rights in the 50's, thankfully reason (compassion?) prevailed.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but to force them on others is just wrong. I am offended, and I am not gay, so most certainly you have offended others.
Finally, if you feel "this place is such a mess" you have the option of not participating. I am a new member here, and your posts rubbed me the wrong way from the start. Not at all what I have seen the spirit of a Buddhist - or self-proclaimed Buddhist to be. It's also unfair that you see fit to make others miserable with your condescension - that after having been chastised by the mods.
Look at yourself before you presume to judge others.
I take refuge in aLL the buddhas so that all sentient beings may realize buddhahood.
I take refuge in aLL the buddhas so that all sentient beings may realize buddhahood.
I take refuge in all the buddhas so that all sentient beings may realize buddhahood.