Published in the original heartland website on 07 July
2004
The following reply by Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda was sent to
me by a fellow Buddhist friend, himself being gay, of course.
Consent have been given by the Ven. Sir to publish his reply and to
share his reply with everyone. Ven. Dhammananda is a very well
known Buddhist figure in both Singapore and, especially, in
Malaysia. He is a religious adviser to many Buddhist societies and
has published many Buddhist books.
Dear Ven. Sir,
Before I seek your guidance on certain issues, may I first
express my congratulatory note to Ven. Sir for your 50 years of
services for Buddhism and most importantly for the good of
mankind.For the past few years, I have been posed by questions from
my fellow gay friends who are interested to know what Buddhism
views of homosexuals. In today’s society, sad to say that
homosexuals seem to be considered as “a thrash” of society who has
nothing better to do than having sexual lusts. This stereotype
image has prompted to the discrimination of homosexuals in
workplace and even more so in the Asian countries.
From my understanding, religions like Islam and Christianity
condemn homosexuality but I often ask myself how about Buddhism.
Being a homosexual who also practises Buddhism, I do not have a
clear view about this issue.
I have read many of your great publications and also heard of
your dhamma talks. I even read some website about this but there is
no answer to this.
Here are some of my questions:
1. Does Buddhism condemn homosexuals?
2. If a true Buddhist who practices Buddhism but also on the same
time is a homosexual, is he by any means considered on breaking
precept especially pertaining to the precept of “avoid having
sexual misconduct”?
3. If two men fall in love with each other, are they wrong by any
means?
There are many more questions I would like to ask pertaining
homosexuals. Ven Sir have written many publications that explain
the rationale and wisdom of Buddhism. May I suggest Ven. Sir to
even write a book on “Buddhism and Homosexuality” as I personally
feel there are many more people out there who have mixed feelings
on this issue. This is to correct the perspective of society on
homosexuals.
I end here with my wishes of good health, and good wishes to Ven
Sir, and may Ven. Sir continues to guide us and show us the way to
the Dhamma.
Thank you for your e-mail. I am happy that you have brought up
this matter as I realize how important it is in the context of what
is happening in the world around us today. We can no longer pretend
that this aspect of human behaviour is something shameful and if we
ignore it long enough it will simply go away. I agree that it
should be discussed at greater length in a book, but that will take
time. In the meantime I hope that this brief reply will help you
become acquainted with the Buddhist attitude to homosexuality.
To begin with present day attitudes are largely influenced by
the Tudor – Christian approach in the bible which was blown out of
proportion by the narrow mindedness of the Victorian era in 19th
Century England. In Asia, especially India and China, sex was never
seen as something dirty only to be indulged in surreptitiously and
only for the purposes of breeding. Stone sculptures on the Hindu
temples of India amply testify to the fact that all kinds of sexual
behaviour (including masturbation) was an expression of KAMA, of
sensual pleasure which could be indulged in within the limits of
Dharma, which in this case meant virtue. As human beings we are
equipped with bodies which crave for the pleasures of all kinds
(not only sex) – for food, pleasant smells, sounds etc. If we deny
these for being sinful, then we repress natural desires which are
harmful. The being which is the victim of MAYA (ignorance) sees the
body as real and craves to satisfy its longing for KAMA. . But as
the being matures spiritually MAYA is replaced with VIDYA
(knowledge) and PANNA (wisdom) . Therefore when the body is seen as
an illusion, than the being naturally GROWS OUT of craving. Here we
see the superior being renounces sex through maturity just as a
child stops playing with toys as he or she grows up. THERE IS
NOTHING INTRINISICALLY WRONG WITH SEX. What is wrong is attachment
and slavery to it, on believing that indulgence in sex can bring
ultimate happiness. This is the problem with the exploitation of
sex by the mass entertainment industry today – extending the myth
that sex can bring lasting happiness.
The 3rd of the five precepts we recite in daily buddhist
practice is : undertake the training rule to refrain from sexual
misconduct. First we note that there is no compulsion – no fear of
punishment for infringement of any divine law, but when we
recognise the danger of attachment to sex, we freely take the steps
(training rule) to grow out of it i.e. “I undertake”.
Next we look at “sexual misconduct” – here we refer specifically
to sexual misconduct , not all sexual behaviour. Sex is not
prohibited to those who do not choose to be celibate. Undoubtedly,
this rule only applies to those who are not monks or nuns. These
latter have voluntarily taken it upon themselves to abstain from
sex to better concentrate on their spiritual progress. By
misconduct is meant behaviour which harms the person who does the
act or the other party. This in a way means that if both parties
are consenting adults there is no harm done. In Buddhism we do not
consider any action “sinful” in the sense that we transgress a
divine commandment. We act wrongly because of Ignorance and
therefore we commit an Akusala Kamma (unskilful action) which
delays or interferes with our spiritual progress. Because of our
Ignorance about the real nature of things (in this case our body)
we act in ways which are detrimental to us from a spiritual point
of view. Wisdom and Understanding will help us refrain from harmful
actions, both mental and physical.
In this connection Buddhism does not recognise that marriage is
a divinely ordained institution which suddenly makes sex OK. Sex is
a human activity which has nothing to do with heaven and hell. You
will notice that sexual restraint is only ONE of the Five
Precepts.. Killing is far more serious because you can hurt another
being more viciously. Sex is caused by a craving just like caving
for food, liquor, drugs, wealth, power. Attachment to any of these
constitutes Akusala Kamma. Buddhism discourages any of these forms
of carving because it will tie us down more firmly to Samsara .
Also indulgence in sex can lead to other evils. You may see from
this that Buddhism does not see Homosexuality as WRONG and
HETROSEXUALITY [sic] as RIGHT. Both are sexual activity using the
body , both are strong expressions of lust which increase desire
for life and therefore trap us longer in Samsara. Whether two men
or a couple fall in love , it arises out of the same human
limitation that is, of not seeing the body as empty of any ultimate
reality. Buddhism does not condemn homosexuals in the same way as
it does not condemn any wrong doing. We act through ignorance of
the true nature of things, therefore we are only guilty of AKUSALA
Kamma (unskilful action) .. We have no right to condemn others .
Our duty is to help others see that they are acting out of
ignorance , to show how real happiness can be gained. We have no
right to condemn those who think or act differently from us
especially when we ourselves are slaves of sensual pleasure in
other forms. We know that when we point one finger at others, three
fingers are pointing at us.
In summary, homosexuality, like heterosexuality arises from
Ignorance, and is certainly not “sinful” in a Christian sense. All
forms of sex increase lust, craving , attachment to the body. With
wisdom we learn to grow out of these attachments. We do not condemn
homosexuality as wrong and sinful, but we do not condone it either,
simply because it, like other forms of sex, delays our deliverance
from Samsara.
Wishing you progress in your Dhamma practise.
Mettacittena