Doubts, Fear, Frustration and Depression
Published August 19th, 2006 in Buddhism, HomosexualityIn about 2005, we received an email from an old acquaintance to the heartland owner’s list. Both me and NK was almost heart broken when we read the letter. It was something that we had difficulty in reply because the issue came from a monk and from interpretations of the teachings of the Buddha. It would need to take other monks or nuns to reply to him satisfactorily.
I sent out the letter to all traditions and not surprising the fastest reply was from Ajahn Brahm, in fact, he replied to my plea personally. I shall not add my own thoughts into this, but rather just let you read about it. I did not get any replies from my emails to some of the Tibetan traditions and also the Chinese Mahayana traditions. However, we managed to arranged for a meeting with one of the Mahayana monks in our local temples to discuss about this matter, but that is for another article.
Read the rest of the article in Heartland website.
Thank you for publishing all this. It is very helpful. I will need to return and re-read, probably several times. This–dealing with dissaproval from branches of all religions–is a difficult issue for me. Thank you, again, for publishing all this. It’s very helpful.
Please to read and re-read as many time as it takes.
Hi
i am a buddhist too, read your concerns and also been thru the same situation u ‘ve described after i’ve take my refuge to the triple gems and the 5 precepts. Did lotsa research on scriptures and publications from respected venerables mostly from the Mahayana traditions…relating to the precepts, especially the 3rd precept.
First and foremost, Buddhism condemns discrimination (keyword). It should not be a concern as long as u’ve observed the precept with faith and loyalty to your partner.
The basic principle of observing a precept is to make u a better and happier person and not one who’s living in fear and doubts.
(Heart Sutra - Essence of Buddhism)
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Wow! This is so eye-opening. Buddhism must really be progressive if it encourages anal sex between consenting adults.
Buddhism by itself is already a progressing set of teachings from the beginning. Also this is just the way buddhism is as a teaching is, non-judgement, loving and compassionate.
But having said that they does not mean that is all good for all buddhists because there are still monastics and buddhists out there who would interpret the teachings with cultural elements and calls it Buddha’s teachings.
Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
For with much wisdom come much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil– this is the gift of God.
I know that everything God does will endure for ever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless– a miserable business!
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no-one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.
Do not be over-righteous, neither be overwise– why destroy yourself?
Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool– why die before your time?
It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all [extremes].