Question about Buddhism

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2004
Question about Buddhism
12
Tue, 02-21-2006 - 9:19pm
I'm very interested in Buddhism, and I've been doing some research on it. There is a question about it that I have, though, and I haven't been able to find a definite answer to it, so I was wondering if someone could help me. My question is: what does Buddhism say about homosexuality? Like, do Buddhists believe that it is wrong? Or do they just think it is up to the individual person? I haven't been able to find anything so far in Buddhism against homosexuality, which I think is wonderful. Anyway, please let me know if you can help me out with this question. Thanks very much for your time!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 02-26-2006 - 4:49pm

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)


A lofty goal to be sure, and wise words to live by.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 7:46pm

I spent a few years studying Zen and participating in a local Zen Buddhist community, meditating there, attending dharma talks by the roshi, and so forth. During all that time the emphasis was on self-knowledge, working toward personal enlightenment, using meditation as that tool, conferencing with the roshi on occasion, when he would give you an assignment of a koan to meditate on. I don't recall studying rules of do's and don'ts for all Zen Buddhists to follow. It is an individual journey to separate oneself from mental constructs and controls that do not serve us to see "what is." That all is impermenent and changing. That our emotional and psychological "attachments" to mental constructs create our suffering. There was reincarnation taught. Buddha was not a deity or god to be worshipped. He was a teacher or guide that left knowledge to help us free ourselves on our struggles toward enlightenment.

I suppose there are differing versions of Zen or general Buddhism, whose leaders or teachers might proclaim certain lists of values that they are "for" or "against" but my sense was one of love and compassion for each other and for all life and and the struggles we create for ourselves, blocking ourselves. The whole concept of Karma and Reincarnation preclude "final judgment" type doctrines or "10 Commandments" type doctrines and so forth.

I found Zen to be very helpful to learn to see more clearly and to remove blinders from my eyes and spirit, put there by societal and even childhood religious mental conditioning. The major tool I continue to practice is sitting meditation. It is difficult and I fall away. Then I return. ;)) It is truly going into the silence within, that answers are found to every question, and a path can be discerned. A place where you learn to ask the right questions...

You choose your path. It should be one that nourishes you and helps you see clearly, and empowers you and strengthens you in compassion and love. Whatever that path is, it should fit you like a glove. ;))

If you are seriously considering the Buddhist path, the book by Shunryu Suzuki, "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" is awesome. It was one of the first books on Soto Zen I read that made sense to me as a "Westerner" interested in Eastern philosophy and belief systems.

For what it's worth, I'll share my personal wisdom about spiritual paths. You make them up as you go along! LOL! :D I know that sounds strange, but it's important to know that whatever path you choose should fit YOU, NOT you force yourself to fit into it. Does that make sense? There is some wisdom in many faith paths. I don't believe that ANY of them contain the fullness of wisdom or enlightenment. They have pieces to a puzzle or to a patchwork quilt, in my view. You don't have to "pick" something. You can construct your own wisdom and find enlightenment. Religious practices and beliefs are only tools to help you do that. If one tool doesn't work, there is another. And YOU are your own best tool. ;))

Hugs,
Gypsy



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



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