All religions have had to face changing social norms since their early stages, and Buddhism has been no exception to this challenge. Acceptance of homosexuality is just one of the many social issues that has emerged since Buddhism began that has rattled traditional ideas and views amongst its members. Homosexuality itself has been around since the beginning of human existence, but more recent occurrences like the gay rights movement that came about because of the sexual revolution of the 1960’s and the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s have brought the issue to the forefront of the current human rights debate. As a result, changing social norms have caused two popular forms of Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism and Engaged Buddhism, to have different views on homosexuality.
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada means the “Doctrine of Elders.” This sect of Buddhism follows what scholars believe to be the oldest record of the Buddha’s teachings in the Pali Canon, or Tipitaka (Bullitt). Theravada Buddhism includes two main ways of life: that of the monk and of the layperson. As a result of its traditional background, Theravada Buddhism is considered to be relatively conservative (Homosexuality).
For Theravada Buddhism, there are Five Vows that any Buddhist, lay or monastic, is expected to abide by: absence from (1) directly or indirectly killing any conscious being, (2) directly or indirectly stealing, (3) sexual misconduct, (4) false or hateful speech, and (5) consuming any intoxicants (Jones 372). Questions arise about Buddhist beliefs on homosexuality because sexual misconduct is such a broad term. Right and wrong behavior is generally determined after four considerations: the universality principle, the consequences, the utilitarian principle,...
... middle of paper ...
...homosexu.htm.
“Engaged Buddhism.” Religion Facts. Last modified August 02, 2013. http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/sects/engaged_buddhism.htm.
“Homosexuality and Buddhism.” Religion Facts. Last modified March 30, 2013. http://www.religionfacts.com/homosexuality/buddhism.htm.
Jackson, Peter Anthony. “Thai Buddhist Accounts of Male Homosexuality and AIDS in the 1980s.” The Australian Journal of Anthropology 6, no. 3 (1995): 140-153.
Jones, Richard H. “Theravada Buddhism and Morality.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion 47, no. 3 (1979): 371-387.
Numrich, Paul David. “The Problem with Sex According to Buddhism.” Dialog: A Journal of Theology 48, no. 1 (2009): 62-73.
Shaheen, James. “Gay Marriage: What Would Buddha Do?” Huffington Post. Last modified July 13, 2009. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-shaheen/gay-marriage-what-would-b_b_230855.html.
In the debate over homosexuality, Christian ethicists have many authorities to draw from. From the mixture of biblical sources, traditional authorities, empirical and descriptive accounts, and cultural norms, Cahill chooses general biblical themes and modern culture as the primary authorities for her ethic. This departure from traditional Roman Catholic teaching implies some flaw in the connection between the Holy Spirit, the church, and common believers. Cahill’s decision is her method of fixing this disconnect and reuniting Christ’s message with all believers.
With guidance from principle beliefs and the XIVth Dalai Lama, Buddhist bioethics and the devotional practice of Temple Puja have an impact of high significance on individuals, and the Buddhist community in ultimately, guiding the life of the adherent to achieve total enlightenment. As the modern figurehead for Buddhism, the XIVth Dalai Lama has contributed to the formulation and reassessment of the Buddhist approach to ethical issues.
...o de-essentialize and de-Orientalize religious system of Islam, and instead locate it as part of a historical discursive tradition where practices were contested and in flux. This challenges notions of what authentic religious practices are in Theravada Buddhism, and in doing so expands an understanding of what forms can take. For this reason, the work is useful, and highly recommended for an aspiring religious or anthropological scholar.
Bibliography: Religious Persons and Traditions Buddhism- Plain and Simple
Yu, Han. “Memorial on Buddhism”. Making of the Modern World 12: Classical & Medieval Tradition. Trans. Richard F. Burton. Ed. Janet Smarr. La Jolla: University Readers, 2012. 111-112. Print.
Rachels, James, and Stuart Rachels. "7,8,9,10." In The elements of moral philosophy. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2010. 97-145.
Buddhism is a religion from the East that has spread to many different countries all over the world. It has spread to the West, and has had a great influence and impact, especially in America. However, the Buddhism that is practiced in the United States is not exactly the same as the one that is practiced in Asian countries. If Buddhism differs between the different traditions of the Asian countries themselves, it is obvious that it will differ greatly in America as well. However, even though there are obvious differences, it is important to maintain the core values and fundamental principles the same. This research explores how the three different types of Buddhist practitioners have adopted Buddhism in America, and it describes some differences
24 Amore, Roy C. and Julia Ching. The Buddhist Tradition. In Willard G. Oxtoby, Ed. World Religions: Eastern Traditions. P. 221
Robinson B.A. 29 Mar 2000 (last update), Buddhism, Hp. Online. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Available:
“The unprecedented growth of the gay community in recent history has transformed our culture and consciousness, creating radically new possibilities for people to ‘come out’ and live more openly as homosexuals”(Herdt 2). Before the 1969 Stonewall riot in New York, homosexuality was a taboo subject. Research concerning homosexuality emphasized the etiology, treatment, and psychological adjustment of homosexuals. Times have changed since 1969. Homosexuals have gained great attention in arts, entertainment, media, and politics. Yesterday’s research on homosexuality has expanded to include trying to understand the different experiences and situations of homosexuals (Ben-Ari 89-90).
How does Buddhism relate and help to formulate a local understanding of Transsexuals in Thailand?
was, and still is. sexual stereotypes present in the culture of Buddhist communities. By contrast to such bigoted practices that hinder spiritual development, Buddhism can be claimed. to be the least discriminatory in attitudes towards women. There is no doubt at all that the Buddha was the first religious teacher who gave women equal and unfettered opportunities in the field of spiritual development and development.
Philip J. Ivanhoe. Confucian moral self cultivation. New York : P. Lang, vol. 3, 1993.
"Buddhism's Core Beliefs." ReligiousTolerance.org by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
The earlier proposal of the five obstacles of women in Buddhism (Anālayo 2009, 142), which stated women’s incapability of becoming a Buddha, was seen as a key element in Buddhism that discriminated against women and prevented women from participating Buddhism practices. However, if people read the context more carefully, they can find out that the reason why the Buddha proposed that women should be restricted from practicing was due to their “sexual desire, illness, ignorance…” (Anālayo 2009, 142). Under such definition, the boundary of men and women can be divided into physical and psychological aspects. In psychological aspect, as long as people possess more “sexual desire, illness, ignorance…”, the five obstacles should be applied, no matter they are women or men. In another words, people should not judge women as inferior and sustained and men as superior and pure because of their physical gender. When encountered the Buddhist texts, we should read critically and discriminate the underlying background in order to better understand the sutras. By emphasizing on the importance of concentration and gaining of wisdom, the importance of women as an external feature, has been downplayed and minimized. 'When one 's mind is well concentrated and wisdom never fails, does the fact of being a woman make any difference? ' (Thero, 1994, 711). This quote clearly indicates that the external appearance has no effect in practicing Buddhism. Thus, the right to participate is important and equal for all beings. For normal women, the right to participate are regulated by the rights and responsibilities for citizens regulated by laws, and reflect in all fields, including politics, culture, and economics. Of course, the right also includes the freedom to choose and practice any religion. Buddhism, act as the first religion granted the possibility for women to ordain, played an important role in gender