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The relationship betweenBuddhism andsexual orientation varies by tradition and teacher. According to some scholars,early Buddhism appears to have placed no special stigma on homosexual relations, since the subject was not mentioned.[1]
Buddhism is more likely to accept homosexuality than Confucianism and marriage is largely considered to be a secular issue within Buddhism.[2]
Within the earliest monastic texts such as theVinaya (c. 4th century BCE), male monks are explicitly forbidden from having sexual relations with any of thefour genders: male, female,ubhatovyañjanaka andpaṇḍaka; various meanings of these words are given below. Later, the Buddha allowed the ordination of women, forbade ordination to these other types of people, with exceptions to a few particular types of paṇḍaka.[3] The Buddha's proscriptions against certain types of people joining the monastic sangha (ordained community) are often understood to reflect his concern with upholding the public image of the sangha as virtuous; in some cases, this is explicitly stated. Social acceptability was vital for the sangha, as it could not survive without material support from lay society.[4]
The wordubhatovyañjanaka is usually thought to describe people who have both male and female sexual characteristics:hermaphrodites[5] (intersex). In the Vinaya, it is said thatubhatovyañjanaka should not be ordained, on account of the possibility that they would entice a fellow monk or nun into having sex.[6] It has been seen by some that the category ofubhatovyañjanaka is of later addition to the early Buddhist texts, since it does not appear in the early suttas, thePāṭimokkhas, nor in the early parts of the Vinaya.[7]
Thepaṇḍaka is a complex category that is variously defined in different Buddhist texts. In the earliest texts, the word seems to refer to a socially stigmatized class of trans-feminine and/or cross-dressing people, some of whom may have been sex workers.[8][9] Paisarn Likhitpreechakul argue that these people are grouped together with groups who are excluded from ordination as well; those with physical disabilities such asdeafness ordwarfism, or those who have committed crimes.[10] "The Story of the Prohibition of the Ordination of Pandaka" from the Vinaya claims that the ban is a response to the example of a paṇḍaka monk with a desire to have sex. Being refused by other monks, he had sex with animal handlers, who then told the wider community and brought disgrace upon the sangha.[11][12] Since the wordpaṇḍaka does not appear in either of the early Suttas nor in the early parts of the Vinaya, it has been seen by some as a possible indication thatpandaka's inclusion in the Vinaya did not happen in the Buddha's lifetime but was added later.[13]
In theLotus Sutra, it saidBodhisattva should not go near Paṇḍaka,[14][15] as like what monk rules said in Vinaya. The Theravadin textMilinda Panha, claims that Paṇḍakas let out secrets through their imperfection.[16][17]
Some modern commentators interpret the wordubhatovyanjañaka as including those who are not physicallyintersex, but display behavioral and psychological characteristics of both sexes, such as a woman who is attracted to other women.[18] 5th-century Buddhist writerBuddhaghosa describesubhatobyanjanaka as people with the body of one sex but the "power", or gender of the other. Leonard Zwilling argues that in this account Buddhaghosa does not in fact describe "hermaphroditism" but rather bisexuality or homosexuality.[19]Janet Gyatso pointed out that Zwilling destroys his own argument that pandakas are homosexuals when he writes, "The Vinaya, in fact, goes so far as to distinguish sexual activity between normative males from sexual relations between a socially normative male and a pandaka."[20]
In other texts, the termpaṇḍaka can include those born sexually indeterminate or with no sex,eunuchs, those whose impotence changes every half month, males who gain sexual potency by absorbing other men's semen, or spying on other people having sex. It sometimes includes males or females with any sexual dysfunction, such as impotence or irregularmenstrual cycles. The common element seems to be those whose sexuality is either limited physiologically, or those who are sexually impotent. Together these impotence types are almost always portrayed negatively as a pariah class, especially in the earliest texts. In modern contexts, paṇḍaka is sometimes alleged to includelesbians,gay men, andtransgender and intersex people,[21][22][20] although in ancient times, a man who sexually penetrated another man or a paṇḍaka was not himself considered a paṇḍaka.[8]
Some texts of theAbhidharma state that a paṇḍaka cannot achieve enlightenment in their own lifetime, but must wait for reincarnation as a man or woman.Ananda — Buddha's cousin and disciple — was said to be a paṇḍaka in one of his many previous lives, as was the Buddhist nunIsidāsī (from theTherigatha).[citation needed] In both cases, birth as a paṇḍaka was a result of poorkarma, and the idea that being a paṇḍaka stems from bad behaviour in a previous life is common in Buddhist literature.[23] Asanga and Vasubandhu discussed if a pandaka was able to be enlightened or not.
In theSamantapasadika, a work of the 5th century CETheravadin commentator and scholarBuddhaghosa, paṇḍaka are described as being filled with defiling passions (ussanakilesa), unquenchable lusts (avapasantaparilaha) and are dominated by their libido (parilahavegabhibhuta). Nevertheless, Buddhaghosa did not forbid all Paṇḍakas from becoming ordained as monks; indeed, the "āsittapaṇḍaka" was allowed to join. Notably, the "āsittapaṇḍaka" was a male that gained "satisfaction from performing oral sex on another man". Hence, there does not appear to be a consistent exclusion of homosexual Paṇḍakas by Buddhaghosa.[24] The 4th century Mahayana Buddhist writersVasubandhu andAsanga contend that the paṇḍaka has no discipline for spiritual practice, due to their defiling passions of both male and female sexes. They lack the moral fortitude to counter these passions because they lack modesty and shame. Incapable of showing restraint, such a being is abandoned by their parents and lacking such ties are unable to hold strong views. Asanga, like Vasubandhu, refuses the pandaka recognition as a layman on the grounds that such persons are unfit to associate with or serve the Sangha. Asanga, however, considers them capable to practice the path of a layman individually if they so desire, but without receiving recognition as a layman or being introduced in the sangha. A position similar to Asanga view was also featured in theLotus Sutra, where sangha members were advised to avoid the paṇḍaka.[25]
Buddha's proscriptions against certain types of people joining the monasticsangha (ordained community) are often understood to reflect his concern with upholding the public image of the sangha as virtuous.Peter Jackson, the scholar of sexual politics and Buddhism in Thailand, speculates that the Buddha was initially reluctant to allow women to join the sangha for this reason. Jackson explains:
Buddhism, the middle path, has always been concerned with the maintenance of social order and since the Buddha's time the sangha has never claimed to provide a universal vehicle for the spiritual liberation of all individuals in society, explicitly excluding those who are considered to reflect badly on the monkhood in terms of prevailing social norms and attitudes.[4][26]
Social acceptability was vital for the sangha, as it could not survive without material support from lay society.[4]
Several Theravada Buddhist texts state that the members of the paṇḍaka are excluded from a variety of Buddhist practices (in addition to ordination):
Classical Mahayana scholars likeShantideva andAśvaghoṣa considered non-vaginal sex (including sex between men) to be sexual misconduct. Shantideva based his views on quotes from the Saddharma-smrtyupasthana Sutra.[29][30][31][32][33] According to Mizuno Kōgen's study, Saddharma-smrtyupasthana Sutra is related to Ghoṣa's Abhidharmāmṛtarasaśāstra, and is compiled bySarvastivada sect (possibly from someone related to Ghoṣa after the 2nd century).[34][35] In the Great Treatise on the Perfection of Wisdom (Sanskrit: Mahā-prajñāpāramitā-śāstra), theMadhyamaka scholarNagarjuna mentioned the non-vagina sex restriction as based on coerced action toward one's own spouse.[36][37]
In contrast, later texts, particularlyTibetan Buddhist writings, occasionally value paṇḍaka positively for their "middleness" and balance. The paṇḍaka in these Tibetan works is translated with the termma ning — "genderless" or "without genitals".[38] The 13th-century Tibetan monkGyalwa Yang Gönpa, who was one of the significant figures in the earlyDrukpa Kagyu sect,[39] writes aboutma ning as a balanced state between maleness and femaleness. Yang Gönpa describesma ning as "the abiding breath between male exhalation and female inhalation" and "the balanced yogic channel, as opposed to the too tight male channel, and the too loose female one".[40]
Most Mahayana teachings assert that all beings who correctly practice the dharma may reach enlightenment, since all possess innate Buddha nature, enlightenment being achievable even in a single life.[41][42]
There are different views among Tibetan Buddhist teachers on acceptable expressions of sexuality.
Historically,Gampopa (12th century), one of the main early masters of theKagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, followed the Indian Buddhist tradition, starting with the 3rd-century Hinayana texts ofVasubandhu, and stated thatoral andanal sex, whether with a man or a woman, are violations of the third precept regarding inappropriate sexual behavior.Longchenpa, the 13th-century founder of theNyingma school, citing the 3rd-century Mahayana texts of the Indian masterAsanga, elaborated that inappropriate sexual behavior also include using hands to stimulate inappropriate parts of the body for sexual activity. In the same way, Gelug predecessorJe Tsongkhapa also adheres to such rules in his studies.[30][43]
Various contemporary teachers of Tibetan Buddhist lineages, including the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, have offered understanding towards LGBTQ people while noting that same-sex relationships do not necessarily constitute misconduct for lay people. The Dalai Lama has maintained the views of Je Tsongkhapa.
The14th Dalai Lama has "voiced his support for the full recognition of human rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation," while noting that from a Buddhist point of view, lesbian and gay sex is "generally considered sexual misconduct."[44] In the most recent interview with the Dalai Lama on this topic (March 10, 2014), the Dalai Lama said same-gender marriage is permissible provided it is not in contradiction with the values of one's chosen religion.[45][46]
The Dalai Lama has also stated that any sex other than penis-vagina intercourse with one's own monogamous partner, including oral sex, anal sex, and masturbation is improper from the Buddhist perspective.[47][44][48] In his 1996 bookBeyond Dogma, he states, "A sexual act is deemed proper when the couples use the organs intended for sexual intercourse and nothing else... homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact."[47][44][48]
The Dalai Lama cited the Indian Buddhist texts ofVasubandhu,Asanga, andAshvaghosha as his sources concerning what constitutes inappropriate sexual behavior.[49] In 1997 he stated: "Sexual organs were created for reproduction between the male element and the female element — and everything that deviates from that is not acceptable from a Buddhist point of view."[50] The Dalai Lama has repeatedly said to LGBT groups that he can't rewrite the texts. He thinks that this is the type of issue that would need to be discussed by a council of Buddhist elders from all Buddhist traditions.[51]
Peter Jackson, an Australian scholar of sexual politics and Buddhism in Thailand, writes that "Buddhism is a complex tradition and there is no single canonical or scripturally sanctioned position on homosexuality."[52] Thailand is one of several countries with a large population of Theravada Buddhists.
In traditional Thai Buddhist accounts of sexuality, "[sexual] actions and desires have an involuntary cause [and] do not themselves accrue any future karmic consequences. They are the outworking of past karma, not sources for the accumulation of future karma. According to Bunmi, homosexual activity and the desire to engage in homosexual activity fall into this category and are not sinful and do not accrue karmic consequences."[52] Jackson writes that this understanding of homosexuality "prevailed in Thailand until recent decades."[52]
In the 1980s in Thailand, during the AIDS epidemic, there was "a shift in Buddhist attitudes from relative tolerance of homosexuality to condemnation." These views were "unprecedented in recent Thai history."[52] During this time there were two ways Buddhists viewed homosexuality: in the sympathetic view, it was said that homosexuality arose from the karma of previous lifetimes; in the intolerant view, it was seen as arising from immoral conduct in one's present life.[52]
In 1989, the supreme governing body of the Thai sangha affirmed that "gays" (here translated from Thaikathoey) are prohibited from being ordained.[53] Their declaration has apparently gone unheeded in some quarters, as Phra Pisarn Thammapatee (AKA Phra Payom Kalayano), one of the most eminent monks in the country, demanded in 2003 that 1,000 gay monks be ousted from the sangha, and that better screening processes are put in place to keep out any gaypostulants.[54]
Recently, Phra Payom Kalayano, an eminent monk and abbot, affirmed the rights of gay monks to join the Sangha: "In the past, katoey had no hope of being ordained because the rules were stricter and society was less open minded. But they have just as much right as anyone else to join the monkhood."[55] This view has been affirmed by other Thai Theravada monks.[56] But it's not known if that statement given by Phra Payom was supported only by some monks of hissangha or by official structures of his Theravada school. There is no information if any other Thai branches of Theravada has changed their attitude towards LGBTordination because other Theravada branches does not seem to have changed their attitude on this issue.[57][58]
Several writers have noted the strong historical tradition of open bisexuality and homosexuality among male Buddhist institutions in Japan.[59] When theTendai priestGenshin harshly criticised homosexuality as immoral, others mistook his criticism as having been because the acolyte wasn't one's own.[60][61]Chigo Monogatari (稚児物語), "acolyte stories" of love between monks and theirchigo were popular, and such relationships appear to have been commonplace, alongside sex with women.
Western Christian travellers to Japan from the 16th century have noted (with distaste) the prevalence and acceptance of forms of homosexuality among Japanese Buddhists[62]—Jesuit priest Francis Cabral wrote in 1596 that "abominations of the flesh" and "vicious habits" were "regarded in Japan as quite honourable; men of standing entrust their sons to thebonzes to be instructed in such things, and at the same time to serve their lust".[63]
A 17th-century Japanese Buddhist scholar,Kitamura Kigin (北村季吟,きたむら きぎん), wrote that Buddha explained the pursuit of homosexuality over heterosexuality among priests:
It has been the nature of men's hearts to take pleasure in a beautiful woman since the age of male and female gods, but to become intoxicated by the blossom of a handsome youth... would seem to be both wrong and unusual. Nevertheless, theBuddha preached that [Mount] Imose[64] was a place to be avoided and the priests of the law entered this Way[65] as an outlet for their feelings, since their hearts were, after all, made of neither stone nor wood.[66] Like water that plunges from the peak of Tsukubane to form the deep pools of the Minano River, this love has surpassed in depth the love between women and men in these latter days. It plagues the heart not only of courtier and aristocrat but also of brave warriors. Even the mountain dwellers who cut brush for fuel have learned to take pleasure in the shade of young saplings." —Wild Azaleas (1676)
A later Japanese legend attributed the introduction of monastic homosexuality to Japan to Shingon founderKukai, although scholars now dismiss the veracity of this assertion, pointing out his strict adherence to the Vinaya.[67] Nonetheless, the legend served to "affirm same-sex relation between men and boys in 17th century Japan."[67]
About Buddhism andhomosexuality in China, scholar A. L. De Silva writes, "Generally the attitude has been one of tolerance.Matteo Ricci, theJesuit missionary who lived in China for 27 years from 1583, expressed horror at the open and tolerant attitude that the Chinese took to homosexuality and naturally enough saw this as proof of the degeneracy of Chinese society."[68][importance?]
VenerableHsing Yun, one of the premier figures in contemporaryTaiwanese Buddhism, has stated that Buddhism should never teach intolerance toward homosexuality, and that people should expand their minds.[69]
Marriage is an institution that reflects the values of the society that supports it. If the people of a society no longer believe that it is important to be married, then there is no reason why they cannot change the institution of marriage. Marriage is a custom. Customs can always be changed. We can find the same core point in this question as we have in others — the ultimate truth of the matter is that individuals can and should decide for themselves what is right. As long as they are not violating others or breaking the laws of the society in which they are living, then they are free to do what they believe is right. It is not for me or anyone else to tell them that they must get married if they want to live together. That is their choice and their choice alone.
The same analysis can be applied to homosexuality. People often ask me what I think about homosexuality. They wonder, is it right, is it wrong? The answer is, it is neither right nor wrong. It is just something that people do. If people are not harming each other, their private lives are their own business; we should be tolerant of them and not reject them.
However, it will still take some time for the world to fully accept homosexuality. All of us must learn to tolerate the behavior of others. Just as we hope to expand our minds to include all of the universe, so we should also seek to expand our minds to include all of the many forms of human behavior.
Tolerance is a form of generosity and it is a form of wisdom. There is nothing anywhere in the Dharma that should ever lead anyone to become intolerant. Our goal as Buddhists is to learn to accept all kinds of people and to help all kinds of people discover the wisdom of the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.
— Hsing Yun,Buddhism Pure and Simple, pp. 137–138
Hsing Yun is a best-selling author throughout theSinosphere, as well as an advocate ofHumanistic Buddhism, an approach to reform Chinese Buddhism to match the needs of contemporary laypeople. As such, his views may not be wholly reflective of the older Buddhist views in China. However, at an earlier point (1998), he is quoted as remarking that "according to Buddhism, any emotional involvement, whether homosexual or heterosexual, is a form of attachment ... and, therefore, is a source of suffering," and when the topic of homosexuality, in particular, came up "the master spoke more strongly, calling homosexuality a perverted view (xiejian)."[70]
An example of an older view in opposition to homosexuality is given by the traditional master,Hsuan Hua, an important figure for Buddhism in both China and theUnited States. Master Hsuan Hua stated that homosexuality "plants the seeds that lead to rebirth in the lower realms of existence".[71] In his commentary on theSutra of Forty-two Chapters, he described homosexuality as behavior caused by confusion, as the product of sexual desires.[72]
Some Mahayana Buddhist leaders were active in the movement for same-sex marriage rights inTaiwan which legalizedsame-sex marriages in 2019.[73][74][75][76]
In contrast to Buddhism in Asia, modernBuddhism in the Western world (European Union,United States of America,Canada,Australia andNew Zealand) is typically associated with a concern forsocial equality—partly as a result of its largelymiddle-class intellectual membership base, and its philosophical roots infreethought andsecular humanism.[77] When applying Buddhist philosophy to the question of homosexuality, western Buddhists[example needed] often emphasize the importance the Buddha placed on tolerance, compassion, and seeking answers within one's self. They stress these overarching values rather than examining specific passages or texts,especially since the 1990s. As an interpretation of what is an individual decision and not subject to judgment by any central authority, a view of accepting all peoples, but rejecting certain types of is more predominant. people such asIssan Dorsey,[78]Caitriona Reed,[79]Pat Enkyo O'Hara[80] andSoeng Hyang[81] have been ordained as Buddhist monastics and clergy.
A moreanachronistic assessment comes from the western scholarAlexander Berzin,
The texts in Buddhist traditions have been written from the point of view of a heterosexual male. We need to explore the intention of the teachings on sexual misconduct, which ultimately is to eliminate attachment, obsessive desire, and dissatisfaction. If a heterosexual male finds no bounds to these disturbing emotions, he might have sex with someone else's partner, as well as other men. We can apply the same logic and explore what constitutes boundless attachment and dissatisfaction for homosexual and bisexual males or females. For example, having sex with somebody else's partner and so on could be destructive for these types of person as well".[51]
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, holder of theKarma Kagyu andNyingma lineages, in a 2008 talk delivered toLGBTQDharma practitioners at theShambhala Meditation Center ofNew York, stressed that forvajrayana lay practitioners, homosexual relationships are no better or worse than heterosexual relationships and that only unhealthy relationships, in general, are to be avoided.[82] Both theNalandabodhisangha, which was founded by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and theShambhala sanghas founded byChögyam Trungpa Rinpoche have stated that they are welcoming of all sexual orientations.[82][83] The Shambhala Meditation Center of New York hosts a weekly practice group, Queer Dharma, specifically catering to the needs of theLGBTQ Buddhist community.[84] According to theDanishKarma KagyuLamaOle Nydahl, Buddha sawhomosexuality as circumstances making life more difficult, but also explained the reason for homosexuality could be aversion against the opposite sex in a former life.[85] Nydahl says however that sexual orientation is not really important in order to practice Buddhism.[85] Well known Zen Buddhist,Thích Nhất Hạnh (Plum Village Tradition), notes the spirit of Buddhism is inclusiveness and states "when you look at the ocean, you see different kinds of waves, many sizes and shapes, but all the waves have water as their foundation and substance. If you are born gay or lesbian, your ground of being in the same as mine. We are different, but we share the same ground of being."[86][87]
The U.S. branch ofSoka Gakkai International, a Japan-basednew religious movement (Japanese new religion) influenced byNichiren Buddhism, announced in 1995 that they would start holding wedding ceremonies forsame-sex couples,[88] and in 2001 established a conference forLGBTQ members and their supporters.[89] A Buddhist temple in Salt Lake City connected withJodo Shinshu, another Japanese school of Buddhism, also holds religious rites for same-sex couples.[90]
Another Buddhist organization founded in the West, Juniper Foundation, wrote an articleA Buddhist Vote for Same Sex Marriage demonstrating how Buddhist thinking embraces same-sex marriage:
The heart of Buddhist thought is its insight philosophy, which uses critical inquiry to challenge dogma and to reveal how seemingly fixed ideas are more arbitrary than we might think. Applying this philosophy, we see that social customs are not fixed laws but evolving conventions that serve a purpose in a particular culture and time. Marriage is one of these conventions. It is not a rigid law but a social custom that evolves.[91]
In western traditions, there is widescale support for LGBT rights including the European Buddhist Union,[92] the Buddhist Churches of America,[93][94][95] many Shin Buddhist groups,[96] and Zen leaders such asThich Nhat Hanh, founder of the Plum Village Tradition.[87][97] In a PEW research poll, 88% of American Buddhists stated that homosexuality should be accepted.[98] This was a higher level of support than any other religious group studied.[98] On 2012, theAustralian branch of Buddhism voiced its support for same-sex marriage in a hearing of the Australian Parliament that sought to gather views on whether to legalize same-sex marriage.[99] InQueer Engaged Buddhism (2025), Kody Muncaster explores a queer, trans, and intersex approach to socially engaged Buddhism that discusses both histories of queerness within Buddhism and contemporary practices.[100]
neither pandaka or ma ning are code words for homosexuality as such, as some have argued, and in any event same-sex sex is not singled out as distinct from other kinds of proscribed sexual activity in the Vinaya....It seems that people who desire conventional homosexual sex, whatever that might be, can be ordained and can stay ordained as long as they do not actually have sex. Exactly the same would be true for people with heterosexual desire. Zwilling destroys his own argument that pandakas are homosexuals when he writes, "The Vinaya, in fact, goes so far as to distinguish sexual activity between normative males from sexual relations between a socially normative male and a pandaka."
What is sexual misconduct? This is understood by a spiritual practitioner who observes phenomena. Such a person will see that sexual misconduct occurs when one penetrates one's own wife, or another man's wife, through an opening other than the vagina, or when one rejoices in others performing such an act, or when one makes others engage in it even while refraining from doing so oneself.
Those prone to rampant and burning desire may engage in sexual misconduct with a woman by way of her mouth or anus instead of the birth channel. When they later separate from their bodies, they will fall into the lower realms, taking birth in the hell known as Cessation of All Faculties.
yet in terms of sexual misconduct the specific aspect is that of men having sex with other men. When such a man later separates from his body, he will fall into the lower realms and be born in the hell of Copious Degeneration.
この四十心所を掲げている現存文獻としては、品類足論、大毘婆沙論、雑阿毘曇心論、阿毘曇甘露味論の四書がある。……この甘露味論と正法念處経のみが、心所法としては四類四十法のみを掲げ……この二書だけ一致しているということは（There are fortymental factors (caitasika) in these fourSarvastivada Abhidharma texts:Prakaranapada,Mahavibhasa, Saṃyuktābhidharmahṛdaya, and Abhidharmāmṛtarasaśāstra....and only in the Saddharma-smrtyupasthana Sutra, there are the same forty Mental factors corresponding with Abhidharmāmṛtarasaśāstra）
Even with your wife, using one's mouth or the other hole is sexual misconduct. Using one's hand, that is sexual misconduct
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