Buddhist sexual ethics?

Question

What is the Sexual ethics of a religion whose followers maybe strictly called agnostics(because Buddha avoided the question of the existence of any ISHVARA or God) but believes in heaven and hell(not as final goals),
re-incarnation and nirvana(final goal of eliminating re-birth).

Buddhism teaches to, and expects from, its followers a certain level of ethical behaviour. The minimum that is required of the lay Buddhist is embodied in what is called the Five Precepts (panca sila), the third of which relates to sexual behaviour.

Homosexuality was known in ancient India; it is explicitly mentioned in the Vinaya (monastic discipline) and prohibited. It is not singled out for special condemnation, but rather simply mentioned along with a wide range of other sexual behaviour as contravening the rule that requires monks and nuns to be celibate.

Sexual behaviour, whether with a member of the same or the opposite sex, where the sexual organ enters any of the bodily orifices (vagina, mouth or anus), is punishable by expulsion from the monastic order.

Other sexual behaviour like mutual masturbation or interfemural sex,

while considered a serious offense, does not entail expulsion but must be confessed before the monastic community.

The lay Buddhist is not required to be celibate, but she or he is advised to avoid certain types of sexual behaviour. The third Precept actually says: 'Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.' The word kama refers to any form of sensual pleasure but with an emphasis on sexual pleasure and a literal translation of the precept would be "I take the rule of training (veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami) not to go the wrong way (micchacara) for sexual pleasure (kamesu)".

Answer 1

I see the five basic principles of Buddhist ethics as all linked together, so I don't think that it's really practically possible, in application, to isolate completely the concept of "sexual ethics." The guidelines or committments not to kill, not to lie, not to steal, not to engage in inapproriate sexual behaviour, not to become intoxicated are basically fairly simple on the face of it. They are also full of implications and nuances that make it possible to discover more and more sense to them every day and every week and every year.

At the very least, not engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviour is behaviour that is not exploitative (which links it to not stealing), not violent either in action or word or conception, not involving any kind of deception (which links it to not lying) and that is pleasing to all the people involved.

If you continue the analysis, then behaviour that is not exploitative is linked to not stealing. Behaviour that does not involve deception is linked to not lying. And so on.

I find it hard to conceive of Buddhist ethics without this kind of analysis and introspection. They are the reason why the guidelines exist as guidelines.

Answer 2

Note that reincarnation is not a Buddhist concept; Buddha developed the concept of 'rebirth' as a concept to get rid of the reincarnation concept. Reincarnation means a self/soul that incarnates into a body over and over again; Buddha's teachings posited no self/soul. Instead, rebirth is a different concept (too long to go into here). Note: these are all just CONCEPTS and not meant to be taken literally; Buddha used them only to try and help people focus on the task at hand in this life. That said, to answer your question, a fully enlightened person (such as the Buddha) doesn't need/require morality or ethics because their realization is such that only good/love proceeds from them (they experience themselves and the world as one single thing and realize the suffering resulting from ignorance and want to eliminate it). Until one reaches enlightenment, there are ethical precepts that are essentially all about not causing suffering. For sexuality, here's the zen precept: "Refraining from committing sexual misconduct". You need to go into it more, to avoid one's biases from misinterpreting it. At Zen Mountain Monastery, two of the monks there are in committed homosexual relationships; therefore, it's about cultivating love and compassion and an egoless state in all of one's relationships, especially considering the power that's involved in special love relationships.

Answer 3

Actually, the 3rd Panca Sila states .. I take the precept to
abstain from sexual misconduct.... in more detail this means .... to refrain from the wrong way of enjoying sensual pleasures .... i.e. A laymen is not totally prohibited from appeasing his senses; never-the-less, he must be moderate and must not exceed the limit. The senses are five in number: - senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching. Their respective objects are material forms, sound, smell, taste and touch. They are admitted through the doors of eye, ear, nose, tongue and outer covering of the body respectively. One should know where to draw the line in enjoying sense objects. Excessive enjoying causes harm to oneself as well as to the others. It would bring about damaging results not only in this world but also in the world beyond. This precept enjoins the laymen to guard against craving for excessive enjoyment of sensual pleasure....... homosexuality is not explicitly mentioned.

Answer 4

You seem to answer your own question. And contrary to what Telemarklover says, sexuality is not a taboo is Buddhism - there are prohibitions in monastic orders, but they are not the same for lay people.

(And Buddhists do not believe in a Heaven or Hell as commonly conceived of in Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). There is a level often described as Hell, but it is not quite the same as the Christian concept of Hell.)

The third precept (of The Five Precepts), 'I undertake not to engage in sexual misconduct’, and its positive aspect, 'With stillness, simplicity and contentment, I purify my body' , are the guides (but not commandments), for understanding right and wrong behaviour with regard to sex for the Buddhist.

Although there is no specific criteria set out in Buddhism as to what is or is not 'sexual misconduct' by exploring the third precept and its positive aspects we can begin to build a picture of what it might be:

'stillness'- Sexual relationships need to be thought about. Who are you going to have sex with? Why are you having sex with them? Is it right to have sex with them? These are examples of questions which clearly demonstrate a thoughtful approach to sexual relationships.

'simplicity' - Sexual relationships should not be complicated. A person having an affair will need to lie about that fact that they are married or lie to their partner where they have been and who they have been with. Illegal sexual practices are hidden from the necessary authorities. If one cannot be honest about one's sexual partners then complications will almost certainly arise.

'contentment' - Having sex with someone should not result in a guilty conscience. Sex should be an enjoyable experience for all concerned. One should consider whether one's partner wants to have sex. This also links in with the notion of stillness' considered earlier.

Despite the fact that Buddhists seek to overcome their desires (tanha) in the pursuit of nirvana (freedom from desire), it cannot be said that they are ashamed of the fact that they have sexual desires. In fact, accepting this is a part of dealing with such desires and responding to them appropriately. It could be argued that due to their emphasis on the sinful nature Christianity has had a much less favourable attitude to the body and the issue of sex. This means that Buddhists aim to cultivate the right attitude towards their sexual desires so that they respond appropriately to them (skilful actions), whilst avoiding situations which would lead to distress, pain, worry etc. (unskillful actions).

Answer 5

So, should lay people get married, have sex, and children? If they do, they will get more suffering.

That does not mean that one should have sex without getting married. Sexual relations outside of marriage cause even more suffering.

Answer 6

For buddhists, sexual behaviour is considered taboo. It is one of the eight forbidden things (I forget the exact name right now) which, if you do not do, will lead to nirvana. I'm not sure if that applies to all buddhists, though, or just hardcore monks.

Answer 7

Beam me up Scotty!

Answer 8

I believe in Buddhism.

Answer 9

who knows