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,...
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...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.
Buddhism’s approach to ethics and practices are centred upon the principal beliefs of; the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts. By adhering to these guidelines, Buddhists are ensured that they are taking a step closer to escaping Samsara, and attaining the revered state of Nirvana,
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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.
24 Amore, Roy C. and Julia Ching. The Buddhist Tradition. In Willard G. Oxtoby, Ed. World Religions: Eastern Traditions. P. 221
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
The teachings of the Buddha do not only benefit men but also women. However, when trying to be ordained, women meet more problems than men do. According to the difference in precepts for monks and nuns, nuns are inferior to monks in all circumstances. (Walsh 2016) These differences combined with the low social status of women during the time of the Buddha have formed a popular view about Buddhism that discriminates against women. However although there is evidence that emphasize the difference in treating women and men in Buddhism, it is Buddhism that propose the equality between women and men, thus further raising the status of women in social circumstances. In this paper, I will focus on the traditional view of women
Robinson B.A. 29 Mar 2000 (last update), Buddhism, Hp. Online. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Available:
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.
Bibliography: Religious Persons and Traditions Buddhism- Plain and Simple
How does Buddhism relate and help to formulate a local understanding of Transsexuals in Thailand?
“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).
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.