I make this post because as the country continues to wage the debate for and against gay rights, I think its important to note the very critical intersections of sexuality and religion. What I find to be a common thread in many religious doctrines is the incompatibility of sex, or sexuality, and religion. And, of course, because race matters are a theme on this blog, I decided to do a post that brings the three together.The Jataka relates how the bodhisattva (the Buddha before he attained supreme perfect nirvana) was said to be attended by a handsome male disciple lovingly devoted to him. Referred to by the name Ananda, this disciple was the Buddha's constant companion on the road toward supreme enlightenment.
The following readings may be of some interest to you. All cover the subject of the Buddha being an actual African man:
1. The Black Buddha
2. Buddha the African
3. Original Black Buddha Blogspot (entire blog is interesting)
Same-Sex Desire In Buddhist Canon
Same-sex activity is rarely given attention in the Buddhist canon. Even in the teachings of Buddha himself, the subject is rarely a topic separate from the broader concerns of correct conduct. In general, regardless the gender of the partner, sexual relations undertaken for simple pleasurable experiences is assumed to hinder one's spiritual progress toward nirvana.
Buddhism is regulated according to five moral precepts of which the third is governed by sexual conduct. Under the third precept, it is important for believers to observe principles of mutual consent, honesty and restraint. Sexual relations in general without a partner also consenting to the activity (wh
ere there is no freedom of choice) is demonstratively frowned upon.In Buddhist text narrating the past lives of the Buddha --the Jatakas-- same sex desire in is delineated between those living as a "monk" or living a monastic life and those those living a non-monastic life. In both, intimacy and love between males is extolled. Especially for monks, male same-sex desire is believed to enhance a sense of moral obligation and spiritual duty. "Monastic desire" is absent of sexual relations. The Vinaya, the code of discipline directing mona
stic life, demands monks be celibate. Prohibited is any sexual activity were a sexual member enters any orifice of a partner. Those living a non-monastic lifestyle , moral disapproval is expressed toward the one man who plays the passive role (or pandaka meaning eunuch but also passivity during sexual relations). Passive gay men were banned from entering monastic life because they were believed to lose their maleness during intimacies.Overall, in Buddhist canon, abstinence is to be preferred to sex whether between men and men or men and women.
Just For Fun!
2 comments:
Sorry, but we (Indians) lay claim to Prince Siddhartha a.k.a Gautama Buddha (the founder of modern Buddhism), and his Indian-ness is rarely disputed. Even the contention, in one of those articles, that he was a south Indian tribal is unlikely, because the tribals have rarely been a part of the royal gene pool out of which Siddharta came.
And, seeing as he was Hindu first, I'd encourage you to look into Hinduism and Homosexuality, which could turn up some interesting results. From what I know it's similar to Buddhism, but there's a lot more literature out there to peruse.
thanks for your comment. its the usual response to what was laid out in the post. everyone is entitled to their beliefs but some peoples historical timelines are a little clearer than other--guess we can thank alexander and hellenism for that. in any case, we (Black folk) have been doing the same things throughout epochs of time but no one dares study that but for some reason when its hits a book or a library or the web, there seems to be a nice erasing of the essential details. So, yeah, Indians can claim whatever they want, but Asiatic black men and women were there practicing long before the hybrid races of asians came along and some of them will actually admit it--the ones who know anyway.
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