Difference between revisions of "Sex and spirituality"
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| − | Several [[religions]] include the [[idea]] that sex has some [[spiritual]] [[dimension]] or even that it is an [[essential]] [[element]] in the [[spiritual]] [[life]]. Catholicism sees [[marriage]] as a sacrament which is incomplete without sex, and indeed can be annulled if sex does not take place. Most Protestant churches consider sexual gratification to be ‘a gift from [[God]].’ Certain movements within [[Buddhist]] and [[Hindu]] [[Tantra]] teach that sexual license is proof of complete [[detachment]] from {{Wiki|social}} norms or that the orgasm can be a means of attaining [[Nirvāṇa]]. What is passed off as ‘[[tantra]]’ by some New Age proponents is actually little more that sex mixed with a bit of gimcrack [[philosophy]]. Given the intense [[pleasure]] derived from sex, it is hardly surprising that such ideas developed, became and remain popular. | + | Several [[religions]] include the [[idea]] that {{Wiki|sex}} has some [[spiritual]] [[dimension]] or even that it is an [[essential]] [[element]] in the [[spiritual]] [[life]]. {{Wiki|Catholicism}} sees [[marriage]] as a sacrament which is incomplete without {{Wiki|sex}}, and indeed can be annulled if {{Wiki|sex}} does not take place. Most {{Wiki|Protestant}} churches consider {{Wiki|sexual}} gratification to be ‘a [[gift]] from [[God]].’ Certain movements within [[Buddhist]] and [[Hindu]] [[Tantra]] teach that {{Wiki|sexual}} license is [[proof]] of complete [[detachment]] from {{Wiki|social}} norms or that the {{Wiki|orgasm}} can be a means of [[attaining]] [[Nirvāṇa]]. What is passed off as ‘[[tantra]]’ by some [[New Age]] proponents is actually little more that {{Wiki|sex}} mixed with a bit of gimcrack [[philosophy]]. Given the intense [[pleasure]] derived from {{Wiki|sex}}, it is hardly surprising that such [[ideas]] developed, became and remain popular. |
| − | Some [[ascetics]] during the [[Buddha’s]] [[time]] indulged in sex with ‘those {{Wiki|female}} [[ascetics]] who wear their [[hair]] in a topknot.’ To those who advocated restraint or [[celibacy]], they would say: ‘What future disadvantage do these good [[monks]] and priests see in sensual [[pleasures]] so that they speak about understanding and renouncing them? The velvety-soft arms of a {{Wiki|female}} [[ascetic]] are [[pleasant]] indeed.’ The [[Buddha]] contradicted such [[views]] in the strongest terms (A.II,53; M.I,35). Other [[ascetics]] indulged in what would now be called | + | Some [[ascetics]] during the [[Buddha’s]] [[time]] indulged in {{Wiki|sex}} with ‘those {{Wiki|female}} [[ascetics]] who wear their [[hair]] in a topknot.’ To those who advocated {{Wiki|restraint}} or [[celibacy]], they would say: ‘What {{Wiki|future}} disadvantage do these good [[monks]] and {{Wiki|priests}} see in {{Wiki|sensual}} [[pleasures]] so that they speak about [[understanding]] and renouncing them? The velvety-soft arms of a {{Wiki|female}} [[ascetic]] are [[pleasant]] indeed.’ The [[Buddha]] contradicted such [[views]] in the strongest terms (A.II,53; M.I,35). Other [[ascetics]] indulged in what would now be called ‘{{Wiki|sensual}} massage’ which stopped just short of intercourse (A.IV,54). When a [[monk]] named [[Ariṭṭha]] got it into his head that ‘those things (i.e. {{Wiki|sensual}} [[pleasures]]) the [[Lord]] calls obstructions are not really obstructions to someone who indulges in them’ (M.I,130), the [[Buddha]] was quick to both rebuke and to correct him. ‘[[Foolish]] man! Have you ever known me to teach the [[Dhamma]] like that? [[Foolish]] man! In many talks have I not stated that {{Wiki|sensual}} [[pleasures]] are obstructions that obstruct the one who indulges in them? I have always [[taught]] that {{Wiki|sensual}} [[pleasures]] give meagre gratification, much trouble and [[frustration]] and embody great [[danger]].’ (M.I,132). |
| − | From the [[Buddhist]] perspective, sex has an important part to play in marital relations and it may be a factor in [[emotional]] well-being, but it contributes [[nothing]] to [[spiritual]] growth. The [[Buddha]] taught that a [[person]] can attain the first stage of [[enlightenment]] ([[sotāpati]]) while [[being]] married and having normal sexual relations. Attaining the second stage ([[sakadāgāmi]]) requires sexual restraint and probably for many [[people]], [[celibacy]]. To progress beyond this point to full [[enlightenment]] in the present [[life]], requires complete [[detachment]] from all sensual [[desire]]. Or perhaps it might be more correct to say that one will attain full [[enlightenment]] when all sensual [[desire]] has faded away. | + | From the [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|perspective}}, {{Wiki|sex}} has an important part to play in marital relations and it may be a factor in [[emotional]] well-being, but it contributes [[nothing]] to [[spiritual]] growth. The [[Buddha]] [[taught]] that a [[person]] can attain the first stage of [[enlightenment]] ([[sotāpati]]) while [[being]] [[married]] and having normal {{Wiki|sexual}} relations. [[Attaining]] the second stage ([[sakadāgāmi]]) requires {{Wiki|sexual}} {{Wiki|restraint}} and probably for many [[people]], [[celibacy]]. To progress beyond this point to full [[enlightenment]] in the {{Wiki|present}} [[life]], requires complete [[detachment]] from all {{Wiki|sensual}} [[desire]]. Or perhaps it might be more correct to say that one will attain full [[enlightenment]] when all {{Wiki|sensual}} [[desire]] has faded away. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=369 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=369 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | [[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Sexuality]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:20, 18 October 2015
Several religions include the idea that sex has some spiritual dimension or even that it is an essential element in the spiritual life. Catholicism sees marriage as a sacrament which is incomplete without sex, and indeed can be annulled if sex does not take place. Most Protestant churches consider sexual gratification to be ‘a gift from God.’ Certain movements within Buddhist and Hindu Tantra teach that sexual license is proof of complete detachment from social norms or that the orgasm can be a means of attaining Nirvāṇa. What is passed off as ‘tantra’ by some New Age proponents is actually little more that sex mixed with a bit of gimcrack philosophy. Given the intense pleasure derived from sex, it is hardly surprising that such ideas developed, became and remain popular.
Some ascetics during the Buddha’s time indulged in sex with ‘those female ascetics who wear their hair in a topknot.’ To those who advocated restraint or celibacy, they would say: ‘What future disadvantage do these good monks and priests see in sensual pleasures so that they speak about understanding and renouncing them? The velvety-soft arms of a female ascetic are pleasant indeed.’ The Buddha contradicted such views in the strongest terms (A.II,53; M.I,35). Other ascetics indulged in what would now be called ‘sensual massage’ which stopped just short of intercourse (A.IV,54). When a monk named Ariṭṭha got it into his head that ‘those things (i.e. sensual pleasures) the Lord calls obstructions are not really obstructions to someone who indulges in them’ (M.I,130), the Buddha was quick to both rebuke and to correct him. ‘Foolish man! Have you ever known me to teach the Dhamma like that? Foolish man! In many talks have I not stated that sensual pleasures are obstructions that obstruct the one who indulges in them? I have always taught that sensual pleasures give meagre gratification, much trouble and frustration and embody great danger.’ (M.I,132).
From the Buddhist perspective, sex has an important part to play in marital relations and it may be a factor in emotional well-being, but it contributes nothing to spiritual growth. The Buddha taught that a person can attain the first stage of enlightenment (sotāpati) while being married and having normal sexual relations. Attaining the second stage (sakadāgāmi) requires sexual restraint and probably for many people, celibacy. To progress beyond this point to full enlightenment in the present life, requires complete detachment from all sensual desire. Or perhaps it might be more correct to say that one will attain full enlightenment when all sensual desire has faded away.
