1. Buddhism & Homosexuality By: Corey Ferguson

2. Other Forms of Non-standard Sexuality Sex-change Sex-change Hermaphrodites Hermaphrodites Pandakas Pandakas

3. Sex-change Early Buddhist texts state that a person’s sex can change during or between lives Early Buddhist texts state that a person’s sex can change during or between lives Causes are karmic in nature; e.g. story of a man who became a woman because he was attracted to a monk Causes are karmic in nature; e.g. story of a man who became a woman because he was attracted to a monk Does not, however, limit one’s spiritual potential Does not, however, limit one’s spiritual potential

4. Hermaphrodites Cannot be ordained or attain enlightenment Cannot be ordained or attain enlightenment Cannot attain understanding of the Dharma Cannot attain understanding of the Dharma Karmic causes include “uncleanness where there should be reverence” and “lust for the bodies of other men” Karmic causes include “uncleanness where there should be reverence” and “lust for the bodies of other men”

5. Pandakas Literally, “one without testicles,” but is generally one who lack maleness or femaleness Literally, “one without testicles,” but is generally one who lack maleness or femaleness Not a result of castration, but conceived this way Not a result of castration, but conceived this way Cannot be ordained Cannot be ordained Also obstructed from understanding Dharma, because they are “hindered by defilement” Also obstructed from understanding Dharma, because they are “hindered by defilement” Seen as promiscuous passive homosexuals Seen as promiscuous passive homosexuals Karmic causes include adultery and castrating another man Karmic causes include adultery and castrating another man

6. Buddhism on Homosexual Acts Any active penetration on the part of a monk will be punished with expulsion Any active penetration on the part of a monk will be punished with expulsion Any other sexual act committed by a monk, with a woman, pandaka, or other man, is treated less severely Any other sexual act committed by a monk, with a woman, pandaka, or other man, is treated less severely The Buddha warns against excessive devotion among monks The Buddha warns against excessive devotion among monks But such rules restricting homosexual acts among monks and nuns are part of minimizing any expressions of sexuality, not just homosexuality But such rules restricting homosexual acts among monks and nuns are part of minimizing any expressions of sexuality, not just homosexuality

7. Buddhism on Homosexual Acts, cont. Homosexual actions among lay people are considered “wrong practices” in some Theravada texts which trace these acts back to a time of moral decline of society Homosexual actions among lay people are considered “wrong practices” in some Theravada texts which trace these acts back to a time of moral decline of society Some Mahayana texts describe future punishments for the “wrong deed” of sexual intercourse between two men Some Mahayana texts describe future punishments for the “wrong deed” of sexual intercourse between two men

8. Buddhism on Homosexual Acts, cont. Main question is whether homosexual acts break the precept against sexual misconduct Main question is whether homosexual acts break the precept against sexual misconduct Most texts provide only heterosexual examples of acts which would break this precept Most texts provide only heterosexual examples of acts which would break this precept A Tibetan text does include homosexuality in discussion of the precept A Tibetan text does include homosexuality in discussion of the precept

9. Homosexuality in Southern Buddhist Cultures Thailand - One Thai Sangha leader extended ordination prohibition from pandakas to homosexuals, but social critic Sulak Sivaraksa claims that the Buddha never mentioned homosexuality and only said we should not use sex harmfully Thailand - One Thai Sangha leader extended ordination prohibition from pandakas to homosexuals, but social critic Sulak Sivaraksa claims that the Buddha never mentioned homosexuality and only said we should not use sex harmfully Burma - monks keep strict vows of celibacy regardless of sexuality Burma - monks keep strict vows of celibacy regardless of sexuality Sri Lanka - claims of frequent homosexual activity in the Sangha, but there are also reports which contradict this Sri Lanka - claims of frequent homosexual activity in the Sangha, but there are also reports which contradict this

10. Homosexuality in Tibet Is seen in a negative light among the laity Is seen in a negative light among the laity In the Sangha, is restricted to a group of irregular monks called lDab ldobs In the Sangha, is restricted to a group of irregular monks called lDab ldobs These men are potential deviants whom the monastic system tamed These men are potential deviants whom the monastic system tamed Known to engage in sexual acts with boys, yet avoided committing an offence entailing expulsion Known to engage in sexual acts with boys, yet avoided committing an offence entailing expulsion

11. Homosexuality in Eastern Buddhist Cultures China China History of non-condemnation of homosexuality stemming from Confucianism History of non-condemnation of homosexuality stemming from Confucianism Homosexual acts in monasteries in first half of 20th century were very rare and considered “low taste and pointless” Homosexual acts in monasteries in first half of 20th century were very rare and considered “low taste and pointless” Master Hsuan Hua (a Chinese monk) states that homosexuality leads to a lower rebirth Master Hsuan Hua (a Chinese monk) states that homosexuality leads to a lower rebirth Harsh treatment and executions of homosexuals since Communist occupation Harsh treatment and executions of homosexuals since Communist occupation

12. Eastern Buddhism, cont. Korea Korea Homosexuality is a result of karma, but chanting appropriate mantras can lead to becoming heterosexual Homosexuality is a result of karma, but chanting appropriate mantras can lead to becoming heterosexual Japan Japan Indigenous Shinto religion encouraged a generally permissive attitude toward sexuality Indigenous Shinto religion encouraged a generally permissive attitude toward sexuality Homosexual relationships are relatively well-accepted and sometimes advocated Homosexual relationships are relatively well-accepted and sometimes advocated Reports of high degree of homosexual activity among monks and social indifference to it Reports of high degree of homosexual activity among monks and social indifference to it

13. Homosexuality in Western Buddhist Cultures Friends of Western Buddhist Order (UK) Friends of Western Buddhist Order (UK) Welcomes homosexual members Welcomes homosexual members Encourages same-sex friendships Encourages same-sex friendships Believes that heterosexuality, homosexuality, and transvestism are equally morally neutral Believes that heterosexuality, homosexuality, and transvestism are equally morally neutral Members should seek to ultimately transcend sexuality - contented celibacy is the Buddhist ideal Members should seek to ultimately transcend sexuality - contented celibacy is the Buddhist ideal

14. Western Buddhism, cont. Buddhism in US Buddhism in US Neutral or openly accepting of homosexuality Neutral or openly accepting of homosexuality While homophobia is not unknown among Buddhists, no institution has marginalized its gay members or denied ordination While homophobia is not unknown among Buddhists, no institution has marginalized its gay members or denied ordination Attitude is a result of mixing Japanese attitudes with Western liberalism Attitude is a result of mixing Japanese attitudes with Western liberalism Many gay/lesbian Buddhist groups Many gay/lesbian Buddhist groups There have been commitment ceremonies between gay Buddhist couples There have been commitment ceremonies between gay Buddhist couples

15. Western Buddhism & the Dalai Lama Controversy with US groups over some of Dalai Lama’s statements concerning homosexuality Controversy with US groups over some of Dalai Lama’s statements concerning homosexuality “We have to make a distinction between believers and unbelievers…From a Buddhist point of view, men-to-men and women-to- women is generally considered sexual misconduct. From society’s viewpoint, mutually agreeable homosexual relations can be of mutual benefit, enjoyable, and harmless.” “We have to make a distinction between believers and unbelievers…From a Buddhist point of view, men-to-men and women-to- women is generally considered sexual misconduct. From society’s viewpoint, mutually agreeable homosexual relations can be of mutual benefit, enjoyable, and harmless.” Meeting organized with Dalai Lama and LGBT Buddhist community - reached agreement to continue study and discussion of homosexuality in Buddhism Meeting organized with Dalai Lama and LGBT Buddhist community - reached agreement to continue study and discussion of homosexuality in Buddhism