Difference between revisions of "Homosexuality"
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| − | [[Homosexuality]] is the tendency to be sexually attracted to persons of the same rather than the opposite [[gender]]. In the [[Buddhist scriptures]] homosexual {{Wiki|males}} are called ''asittapaṇḍaka'' and females are called women of uncertain {{Wiki|femininity}} (''sambhinna'') or {{Wiki|masculine}} women (''vepurisikā'', Vin.II,271). Today the first are called gays and the second lesbians. According to the {{Wiki|ancient Indian}} [[understanding]], homosexuals were [[thought]] of simply as being ‘the third [[nature]]’ (''tṛtīya [[prakṛti]]''), rather than as perverted, deviant or sick. With its emphasis on {{Wiki|psychology}} and [[cause and effect]], [[Buddhism]] judges acts, including {{Wiki|sexual}} acts, by the [[intention]] behind them and the effect they have. A {{Wiki|sexual}} act motivated by [[love]], mutuality and the [[desire]] to give and share would be judged positive no {{Wiki|matter}} what the [[gender]] of the two persons involved. Therefore, [[homosexuality]] as such is not considered [[immoral]] in [[Buddhism]] or against the third [[Precept]]. If a homosexual avoids the [[sensuality]] and licence of the so-called ‘{{Wiki|gay}} scene’ and enters into a [[loving]] relationship with another [[person]], there is no [[reason]] why he or she cannot be a sincere practising [[Buddhist]] and enjoy all the [[blessings]] of the [[Buddhist]] [[life]]. | + | [[Homosexuality]] is the tendency to be sexually attracted to persons of the same rather than the opposite [[gender]]. In the [[Buddhist scriptures]] homosexual {{Wiki|males}} are called ''[[asittapaṇḍaka]]'' and females are called women of uncertain {{Wiki|femininity}} (''[[sambhinna]]'') or {{Wiki|masculine}} women (''vepurisikā'', Vin.II,271). Today the first are called gays and the second lesbians. According to the {{Wiki|ancient Indian}} [[understanding]], homosexuals were [[thought]] of simply as being ‘the third [[nature]]’ (''tṛtīya [[prakṛti]]''), rather than as perverted, deviant or sick. With its emphasis on {{Wiki|psychology}} and [[cause and effect]], [[Buddhism]] judges acts, including {{Wiki|sexual}} acts, by the [[intention]] behind them and the effect they have. A {{Wiki|sexual}} act motivated by [[love]], mutuality and the [[desire]] to give and share would be judged positive no {{Wiki|matter}} what the [[gender]] of the two persons involved. Therefore, [[homosexuality]] as such is not considered [[immoral]] in [[Buddhism]] or against the third [[Precept]]. If a homosexual avoids the [[sensuality]] and licence of the so-called ‘{{Wiki|gay}} scene’ and enters into a [[loving]] relationship with another [[person]], there is no [[reason]] why he or she cannot be a sincere practising [[Buddhist]] and enjoy all the [[blessings]] of the [[Buddhist]] [[life]]. |
None of the legal {{Wiki|codes}} of [[traditional]] [[Buddhist]] countries criminalized [[homosexuality]] per se, although, of course, there were penalties against homosexual rape and homosexual acts with minors just as there were for similar offences committed by heterosexuals. In most [[Buddhist]] countries today, [[homosexuality]] is usually considered strange although not wicked or [[evil]]. [[Thailand]], [[Laos]], [[Cambodia]], [[China]], [[Vietnam]], [[Mongolia]], [[Japan]] and {{Wiki|South Korea}} have no laws against [[homosexuality]] between consenting adults. [[Homosexuality]] is illegal in [[Burma]] and [[Sri Lanka]] mainly because their legal {{Wiki|codes}} were in part drawn up during the colonial {{Wiki|era}}. Recently in [[Sri Lanka]], the penalty for [[homosexuality]] was increased in an ill-considered response to the growing problem of {{Wiki|sex}} tourism in the country. See [[Sexual Behaviour]]. | None of the legal {{Wiki|codes}} of [[traditional]] [[Buddhist]] countries criminalized [[homosexuality]] per se, although, of course, there were penalties against homosexual rape and homosexual acts with minors just as there were for similar offences committed by heterosexuals. In most [[Buddhist]] countries today, [[homosexuality]] is usually considered strange although not wicked or [[evil]]. [[Thailand]], [[Laos]], [[Cambodia]], [[China]], [[Vietnam]], [[Mongolia]], [[Japan]] and {{Wiki|South Korea}} have no laws against [[homosexuality]] between consenting adults. [[Homosexuality]] is illegal in [[Burma]] and [[Sri Lanka]] mainly because their legal {{Wiki|codes}} were in part drawn up during the colonial {{Wiki|era}}. Recently in [[Sri Lanka]], the penalty for [[homosexuality]] was increased in an ill-considered response to the growing problem of {{Wiki|sex}} tourism in the country. See [[Sexual Behaviour]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 22:01, 18 March 2014
Homosexuality is the tendency to be sexually attracted to persons of the same rather than the opposite gender. In the Buddhist scriptures homosexual males are called asittapaṇḍaka and females are called women of uncertain femininity (sambhinna) or masculine women (vepurisikā, Vin.II,271). Today the first are called gays and the second lesbians. According to the ancient Indian understanding, homosexuals were thought of simply as being ‘the third nature’ (tṛtīya prakṛti), rather than as perverted, deviant or sick. With its emphasis on psychology and cause and effect, Buddhism judges acts, including sexual acts, by the intention behind them and the effect they have. A sexual act motivated by love, mutuality and the desire to give and share would be judged positive no matter what the gender of the two persons involved. Therefore, homosexuality as such is not considered immoral in Buddhism or against the third Precept. If a homosexual avoids the sensuality and licence of the so-called ‘gay scene’ and enters into a loving relationship with another person, there is no reason why he or she cannot be a sincere practising Buddhist and enjoy all the blessings of the Buddhist life. None of the legal codes of traditional Buddhist countries criminalized homosexuality per se, although, of course, there were penalties against homosexual rape and homosexual acts with minors just as there were for similar offences committed by heterosexuals. In most Buddhist countries today, homosexuality is usually considered strange although not wicked or evil. Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China, Vietnam, Mongolia, Japan and South Korea have no laws against homosexuality between consenting adults. Homosexuality is illegal in Burma and Sri Lanka mainly because their legal codes were in part drawn up during the colonial era. Recently in Sri Lanka, the penalty for homosexuality was increased in an ill-considered response to the growing problem of sex tourism in the country. See Sexual Behaviour.
‘Homosexuality and Theravada Buddhism,’A. L. De Silva, in The Buddhist’s Encyclopedia of Buddhism, 2001.
