Re: Buddhism and Homosexuality

Dear Yong Peng,

I believe it was Mahathera H. Saddhatissa who was asked an equivalent
question many years ago. He was asked what he thought about sexual
activity outside the institution of marriage. He said that, as a
Buddhist, the most important factor was not whether the participants
were married but whether there was mutual respect and understanding
between them.

Peace,
Paul

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "Ong Yong Peng" <ypong001@...> wrote:
> Dear friends,
>
> I hope I do not sound inappropriate, but I sincerely ask for your
> opinions on the Tipitaka's viewpoint on homosexuality. I recalled
the
> Dalai Lama saying that the Buddha did not mention homosexuality. I
> think that is not a good answer. Because homosexuality is a word
> coined in Germany fairly recently, so obviously it is not in the
> Tipitaka. Furthermore, homosexuality is not sexual perversion as
> certain Christian groups claim. Scientifically, it is a different
> sexual orientation.
>
> Many members here are experienced meditators and learned of the
> Tipitaka, I would gladly like to hear your views on what the Buddha
> said or would say to a gay person. I understand that most Buddhists
> are tolerant and open-minded enough to accept gays, but please tell
> me your views on a logical basis in the context of Buddhism. We
know
> that everyone has sexual needs, and we can't ask all gays to be
monks
> (that would certainly cause problems as we see in the Catholic
> church). So, how should a gay person live his life, whether he is
> Buddhist or not?
>
> Thank you.
>
>
> metta,
> Yong Peng