Ajahn Brahm is my favorite Dhamma teacher of all. His talks are very simple and filled with humour. But I wish he had time to address the issues and complications within the gay community. Buddhism tolerates human beings. There is no place for discrimination in Buddhism. All are equal and welcomed in Buddhism. But Buddhism does not tolerate every behaviour.
Buddhist tolerance, acceptability should not be abused. Gays are welcomed in buddhism but that doesnt give them the "license" to do whatever they want. Carnal or selfish love is tolerated but it doesn't last long.
Sex is the physical culmination of a deeply satisfying emotional relationship, where both partners give and take equally. In my opinions sex shouldn't be the driving force on a marriage. Those who have become slaves to sex would only ruin love and humanity in marriage. Apart from that, a woman must cease to consider herself as the object of a man's lust. The remedy is more in her hand than in a man's. She must refuse to adorn herself simply to please a man, even if he is her husband. If she wants to be an equal partner with a man, she should dress so that her dignity is enhanced, and she does not become a sex symbol. Marriage for the satisfaction of the sexual appetite is no marriage. It is concupiscence. (Gandhi)
Love may indeed be a product of sex, but the reverse is likewise true: sex is an expression of love. In the ideally happy married life, both love and sex are inseparable.
Bottom line is that gay marriage, or even being gay is not wrong PER SE. What matters is the behavior, the conduct. May the gays find the happiness, Brahm explained in his speech.
"We should not make our decisions or actions out of fear, out of desire, out of ill-will and stupidity."
"If its a loving, caring, non-exploitative relationship, with consenting adults at appropriate age, there seems to be nothing morally wrong with it."
"He would embrace into the followers of the Sangha, prostitutes and criminals simply because he has a very non-judgmental and encouraging teaching to give to everybody."
Related Quotes from Ajahn Brahm
"We should not make our decisions or actions out of fear, out of desire, out of ill-will and stupidity."
"If its a loving, caring, non-exploitative relationship, with consenting adults at appropriate age, there seems to be nothing morally wrong with it."
"He would embrace into the followers of the Sangha, prostitutes and criminals simply because he has a very non-judgmental and encouraging teaching to give to everybody."
"Make sure that your homosexual activities are kind, warm and loving, and that you don’t abuse those sexual urges"
"I think that the greatest danger of homosexuality is the abuse of their sexuality, just as sometimes men’s sexuality is abused with prostitutes"
"I think that the greatest danger of homosexuality is the abuse of their sexuality, just as sometimes men’s sexuality is abused with prostitutes"
Very Good Reads
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