Welcome to the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast. Our intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire a simple and uncomplicated life. Discover the benefits of mindful living with your host, Timber Hawkeye. In celebration of Pride Month, I am frequently asked, What is the Buddhist view on homosexuality?
And when I recently shared my answer with a post on Facebook that I even tried to promote in order to reach more people who seek shelter from judgment and condemnation, Facebook rejected my promotion, claiming it can be construed as an attempt to interfere with the way people vote.
I contemplated how to reconcile the concept of Pride Month with how often I've mentioned that segregation is at the root of so much hatred, judgment, and suffering, and that's when a post by my friend Diana reminded me that Pride is not about segregation at all, Pride is the opposite of shame and loathing.
So, for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ or as the plus at the end, including the intersexuals, asexuals, some or none of the above, which is to say anyone celebrating diversity, equality, and freedom from shame, this is an invitation to take back your power, stand in your truth, and rest assured that if you or someone you know has wondered what is the Buddhist stance on homosexuality, here is the answer I included in the book: Buddhism has a precept about not engaging
in sexual relations without love and a long term commitment. It does not have a different teaching regarding homosexuality than it does on heterosexuality. When a sexual act is an expression of love, loyalty, honesty, warmth, and respect, then it doesn't break the third precept, whether the couple is of the same gender or not. The third Buddhist precept is about cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society.
It invites everyone to do everything in their power to protect children from sexual abuse, and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. Therefore, as long as there is love and a mutual agreement between the adults involved, it isn't sexual misconduct regardless of gender. Unfortunately, some people and religions or even certain Buddhist sects
would argue this point, but I don't think the Buddha would. At the end of the day, bigotry wrapped in a prayer is still bigotry, and we don't play that game. The Buddha taught that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. The suffering of heartache, loss, old age, sickness, and death affects everyone on this planet regardless of sexual identity. Buddhism focuses on acceptance of whatever arises with no attachment, no resistance, and certainly no judgment or shame.
The dictionary's first definition of Pride relates to the ego and is too often associated with one of the seven deadly sins. But we are talking about the second and third definitions of Pride, which are all about consciousness of one's own dignity and self respect, especially when shared by members of a group that has been marginalized on the basis of their identity, culture, or experience.
Facebook may have rejected my attempt to promote this message, but you can still spread it by sharing it with others through YouTube or the podcast platform of your choice. Happy Pride Month to Everybody! Non-Judgment Day is near, but your participation is required. Namaste. Timber Hawkeye is the bestselling author of Faithfully Religionless and Buddhist Boot Camp.
For additional information, please visit BuddhistBootCamp.com, where you can order autographed books to support the Prison Library Project, watch Timber's inspiring TED Talk, and join our monthly mailing list. We hope you have enjoyed this episode, and invite you to subscribe for more thought-provoking discussions. Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love. 🙏