Buddhism and gay
But it is possible to construct a criterion of right and wrong out of material scattered in different places throughout the Pali Tipitaka, the scriptural basis of Theravada Buddhism. As the Buddha seems to have had a profound understanding of human nature and have been remarkably free from prejudice, and as there is not evidence that homosexuals are any more libidinous or that they have any more difficulties in maintaining celibacy than heterosexuals, it seems unlikely that the Buddha would exclude homosexuals per se from the monastic life.
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. Overall, it is difficult to qualify Buddhism’s perspective on same-sex marriage, since perspectives vary greatly within the religion.
The third way of determining right and wrong is what might be called the instrumental principle, that is, that behaviour can be considered right or wrong according to whether or not it helps us to attain our goal. Wijeyaraj Kumar Mahadeva (Tamil: குமார் மகாதேவா) is a Sri Lankan American businessman. According to some scholars, early Buddhism appears to have placed no special stigma on homosexual relations, since the subject was not mentioned.
Ravi Kumar S was appointed CEO of Cognizant in January In his role as CEO, Ravi sets the strategic direction of the company, promotes Cognizant’s client-first . As the founder of Cognizant Technology Solutions, Wijeyaraj (Kumar) Mahadeva is the driving force behind one of the fastest-growing technology services companies in the .
[25] In , Ravi Kumar S was named as CEO of Cognizant. The relationship between Buddhism and sexual orientation varies by tradition and teacher. No sexual contact is mentioned in these instances, however. No sexual contact is mentioned in these instances, however. Buddhism teaches to, and expects from, its followers a certain level of ethical behaviour. [26] On 22 April , Cognizant announced its partnership with Microsoft Corporation to extend its reach of Generative AI and .
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. He answers that any behaviour which causes harm to oneself and others could be called blameworthy while any behaviour that causes no harm and presumably which helps oneself and others could be called praiseworthy.
Homosexuality was known in ancient India; it is explicitly mentioned in the Vinaya monastic discipline and prohibited. There are, after all, no religious laws, commandments or punishments in Buddhism. [1] It is likely that Chinese Buddhism was influenced by Confucian norms prohibiting homosexual marriage. My research indicates, however. My research indicates, however. Overall, it is difficult to qualify Buddhism’s perspective on same-sex marriage, since perspectives vary greatly within the religion.
The lay Buddhist is not required to be celibate, but she or he is advised to avoid certain types of sexual behaviour. Some people may think Buddhism would be quite accepting of LGBTQIA+ people. There are, after all, no religious laws, commandments or punishments in Buddhism. The Vinaya also stipulates that pandakas are not allowed to be ordained, and if, inadvertently, one has been, he is expelled.
For what is unpleasant to me must be unpleasant to another, and how could I burden someone with that? The term pandaka therefore probably does not refer to homosexuals in general but rather to the effeminate, self-advertising and promiscuous homosexual. The suggestion is, therefore, that in determining right and wrong one has to look into the actual and possible consequences of the action in relation to the agent and those affected by the action.
The Buddha questioned many of the assumptions existing in his society, including moral ones, and tried to develop an ethics based upon reason and compassion rather than tradition, superstitions and taboo. Some people may think Buddhism would be quite accepting of LGBTQIA+ people. Cognizant Technology Solutions (Nasdaq: CTSH) founder, chairman, and CEO Wijayaraj A.
(“Kumar”) Mahadeva explains how his company can help businesses still reeling . [1] It is likely that Chinese Buddhism was influenced by Confucian norms prohibiting homosexual marriage. Other sexual behaviour like mutual masturbation or interfemural sex, while considered a serious offense, does not entail expulsion but must be confessed before the monastic community.
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. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is Nirvana, a state of mental peace and purity and anything that leads one in that direction is good.
A type of person called a pandaka is occasionally mentioned in the Vinaya in contexts that make it clear that such a person is some kind of sexual non-conformist. The Buddhist sacred texts do contain a great deal of instances of loving relationships between unmarried men, which some believe to have homoerotic overtones. Because of Buddhism’s core theme to attain enlightenment, the path one chooses to take within the religion is largely personal, as is one’s beliefs.
Having questioned the conventional basis of morality, the Buddha suggests three criteria for making moral judgments. He is the founding chairman and chief executive officer of Cognizant . The minimum that is required of the lay Buddhist is embodied in what is called the Five Precepts panca sila , the third of which relates to sexual behaviour. The relationship between Buddhism and sexual orientation varies by tradition and teacher.
Because of Buddhism’s core theme to attain enlightenment, the path one chooses to take within the religion is largely personal, as is one’s beliefs. The deed which causes no remorse afterwards and results in joy and happiness is well-done. According to some scholars, early Buddhism appears to have placed no special stigma on homosexual relations, since the subject was not mentioned.
In the Samyutta Nikaya he uses this principle to advise against adultery. The first is what might be called the universalisability principle — to act towards others the way we would like them to act towards us. The Buddhist sacred texts do contain a great deal of instances of loving relationships between unmarried men, which some believe to have homoerotic overtones. Sexual behaviour, whether with a member of the same or the opposite sex, where the sexual organ enters any of the bodily orifices vagina, mouth or anus , is punishable by expulsion from the monastic order.
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.