What is the Buddhist opinion on homosexuality and evolution?
Posted on May 19th, 2010 by admin
I’m rethinking my religion, Christian Baptism. Most of my beliefs are Buddhist, and I agree with almost all of the Buddhist beliefs and practices. But one of my major frustrations with the Christian religion is their stance on homosexuality and evolution, and also stem-cell research. Does anyone know where the Buddhist religion stands on this?
There is no specific instance in which the Buddha condemns homosexuality (at least that I have found) though there are no lines in the sand.
One of the 5 Precepts is to abstain from sexual misconduct. This has been explained to me that it is more along the lines of not cheating on your spouse, not harming yourself or others by your sexual conduct (rape or molestation). As long as homosexual sex is consensual and loving then there is no inherent ‘harm’ in it.
Again, as far as I know, Buddhism has readily accepted evolution. As a complete generalization, most of the Buddhists that I know, myself included, embrace science and the search for both questions and answers regarding the world at large. Everything is impermanent, everything is interconnected, and there is no creator God.
My personal view on stem-cell research as Buddhist, is that I object to a ‘life’ destroyed specifically for the purpose of research but I have no objections to cells taken from adults or fetuses that have been aborted so long as they haven’t been aborted for that purpose. This may or may not be the opinion of other Buddhists.
As with any other religion, beliefs on all of these are likely to vary given the branch and location.
May 20th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Buddhism isnt like that
its a personal thing, read more and you’ll get it, there is technically no buddhism stance on anything political or religious, just a philosophy on how to be happy
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May 20th, 2010 at 12:33 am
Buddhism is a nihilistic philosophy. They believe life is dirt.
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May 20th, 2010 at 12:57 am
Evolution or genesis isn’t addressed in Buddhism at all. The only reference the Buddha made to sex or sexual behavior is to be respectful and decent about it….brb
The Third Precept is to abstain from sexual misconduct. The third, fourth, and fifth steps of the Eightfold Path are "Right Speech" "Right Action" and "Right Livelihood" respectively. In other words, say, act, and earn your living in ways that promote loving kindness and do not promote suffering in a nutshell.
References :
http://thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html
http://thebigview.com/buddhism/precepts.html
May 20th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Buddhists are very accepting and tolerant. The Dalai Lama said "The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual’s own reason and critical analysis," meaning that if it makes sense to you, that’s all you need.
The St. Mugg guy is completely inaccurate about Buddhism.
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May 20th, 2010 at 1:57 am
I posted this just a little while ago (but it is worth repeating).
H.H. the Dalai Lama has said: "If science disagrees with Buddhism, Buddhism will have to change".
So most buddhists do not have a problem with any of those issues (although it should be mentioned that it is not impossible there may be some very conservative old buddhist dude sitting in a cave somewhere that thinks gays are bad… but that would be more due to local cultural influence rather than from Buddhism).
Edit: It may be that St.Mugg is just a troll or even a C.H.U.D.
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May 20th, 2010 at 2:10 am
I have no problem with either. And evolution is highly compatable with Buddhist teachings.
Buddhist
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St. Mugg has no clue. Ignore him.
May 20th, 2010 at 2:43 am
There is no specific instance in which the Buddha condemns homosexuality (at least that I have found) though there are no lines in the sand.
One of the 5 Precepts is to abstain from sexual misconduct. This has been explained to me that it is more along the lines of not cheating on your spouse, not harming yourself or others by your sexual conduct (rape or molestation). As long as homosexual sex is consensual and loving then there is no inherent ‘harm’ in it.
Again, as far as I know, Buddhism has readily accepted evolution. As a complete generalization, most of the Buddhists that I know, myself included, embrace science and the search for both questions and answers regarding the world at large. Everything is impermanent, everything is interconnected, and there is no creator God.
My personal view on stem-cell research as Buddhist, is that I object to a ‘life’ destroyed specifically for the purpose of research but I have no objections to cells taken from adults or fetuses that have been aborted so long as they haven’t been aborted for that purpose. This may or may not be the opinion of other Buddhists.
As with any other religion, beliefs on all of these are likely to vary given the branch and location.
References :
Theravada Buddhism and Homosexuality:
http://www.enabling.org/ia/vipassana/Archive/T/Trembath/buddhismAndHomosexualityTrembath.html
A good article on Buddhism and stem cell research:
http://www.beliefnet.com/News/Science-Religion/2004/04/No-Harm-Applies-To-Stem-Cell-Embryos-One-Buddhists-View.aspx
Two on Buddhism and Evolution
http://west-wight-sangha.blogspot.com/2009/02/darwin-isle-of-wight-evolution-buddhism.html
http://kwelos.tripod.com/evolution.htm
May 20th, 2010 at 3:21 am
So many times do Buddhist questions start with a side swipe at the Christian Tradition Your question is not as blatant as others but Please Buddhism should not be used in this way
Young Lady Please do some research and rethink it through Following a Buddhist Path these days is not the easy option We have corrupted teachers cults deception greed misinformation and a whole lot more
These sites may help you further
http://www.amitabha-gallery.org
http://www.drba.org
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm
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May 20th, 2010 at 3:45 am
I believe Buddhists believe all life is sacred, so they wouldn’t be pro-choice.
Christians believe that homosexuality is wrong and they also believe that Darwinism is wrong based on scientific facts, but I haven’t met anyone who was against stem-cell research.
As far as I can tell Christians and Buddhists don’t believe innocent babies should be murdered, but that has nothing to do with stem cell research.
Did you know that adult stem cells are making great advances in curing many diseases, but embryonic stem cells are basically useless?
Bottom line, if you believe in the sanctity of life, both Christianity and Buddhism are in line with your beliefs.
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