Essay Topic

Buddhist ethic and sexuality

Course name
Buddhismand Society (ME 6208)
By Nguyen Quy Hoang
ID 1313001
Email nguyenquyhoang@gmail.com
Date of submission: 03 / 03 / 2014
Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Academic Year 2013/2014
Second Semester (December 05, 2013April 07, 2014)
International Buddhist College, Thailand
1
Introduction
Sexuality is a topic that is of great interest to many people but difficult to mention under religious
aspect, but the issue needs to be looked straight in and sorted out.
Ngrjuna claimed that sexual likes an itch which is better not to have, if not, people would scratch
until that skin area became peeling. So, sexuality really becomes the tragedy for human being,
especially for the Buddhist monks or nuns because they tie people to the cycle of birth and death
(sasra) by Buddhist point view.
Sex belongs to humans basic instinct which is very difficult to face with. However, saying so does
not mean to become the pessimistic people accepting always the domination of sex and have no
solution to escape from it. This paper will mention the solutions to control sex under Buddhist ethic.
Ethic and Buddhist ethic
Ethic is the rules of conduct relating to human actions recognized by a society. It involves
systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior.
1
Buddhist ethics is concerned with the principles and practices that help people to act in correct ways
that help rather than harm other people. The core ethical code of Buddhism is known as the five
precepts including not killing other living beings; not taking the not-given; avoiding sexual
misconduct; avoiding false speech and abstaining from drink and drugs that cloud the mind.
Sexual misconduct is extremely blameworthy bad behavior. It is the will to transgress against those
whom one should not go into and carrying out of this intention by unlawful physical action. By
those one should not go into, first all of men are meant and then also twenty kinds of women
which are under some forms of protection.
2
For the laity, there is also a sexuality rule to be mentioned in the discourse To Sigala sutta in Digha
Nikaya as that the husband should be faithful to the wife and vice versa
3
.
Sex should be given its due place in a happy marriage. Like fire, sex is a good servant but can be a
bad master. It should neither be unhealthily repressed nor morbidly exaggerated. However the
desire for sex, like any other emotion must be regulated by reason
4
These precepts are not commandments, but choices, which are undertaken. Buddhist ethics, then,
is very much a matter of choice concerning what people do. Rather than speaking of actions being
right or wrong, Buddhism speaks of the being skilful (kusal) or unskilful (akusal), wholesome
and unwholesome or "If you do this, you're going to make problems for yourself. If you don't want
those problems, stop doing it". So, it no doubt contains an excellent ethical code which is
unparalleled in its perfection and altruistic attitude, the base of Buddhism is morality, and wisdom
(paa) is its apex
5
The altruistic nature of these concepts is made clear in the Kusala Sutta Abandon what is
unskillful, monks. It is possible to abandon what is unskillful.. Develop what is skillful,
monks
6
Taking into considerations the above points, it can easily see that the objective of Buddhist ethic
serves for human happiness.

1
James Fieser, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, (http://www.iep.utm.edu/ethics/)
2
Edward Conze, Buddhist Scriptures, USA Penguin, 1971 page 71
3 D J Subasinha, Buddhist rules for the laity, Pilgrims Publishing, 2000 page 34-35
4 K.Sri Dhammanada, How to live without fear and worry, BMS Publications Malaysia
5
Narada Thera, Buddhism in a nutshell, (http://www.buddhanet.net/nutshell04.htm)
6
Anguttara Nikaya 2.19 Kusala Sutta
2
Buddhist ethics are formed based on Buddhist discipline of abstinences (sila) and these abstinences
which are complied by people will lead them to the effectiveness of sensual desire control and set
the good relationship between people with people, people with natural environment, bring the
people to true happiness. Each sila created by the Buddha is according to real event, situation and
personal karmic tendency. These rules are scattered in Pali and Agama discourses which are
considered as formative principle of the Buddhist moral life with the ultimate purpose of gaining
liberation from the problem of life cycle (sasra).
Buddhist morality operates on the basis of Dependent Co-arising. In other words, an action does
operate on several causes. For instance, when killing takes places five factors are involved: (1) a
living being, (2) the actual perceiving of a living being, (3) a thought of killing, (4) the attack, and
(5) death as a result of it.
7
Sexuality and original causes
Sexuality is used rather to refer to erotic desires, practices and identities or aspects of personal
and social life which have erotic significance.
8
Biological theories for explaining the causes of sexual orientation are more popular, and biological
factors may involve a complex interplay of genetic factors and the impact environment
9
So, there are three main factors relating to biological and cultural elements for sexuality:
- Sexual hormone, the more hormone people have the more they interest into sex.
- Family genetic factor
- Education and environment factor
Sexuality instinct originates and penetrates very early into human being, Sigmund Freud claimed
that as the secret force in people, he named it libido and this libido rules all creative activity in
human life. So, sexuality need exists objectively, naturally in People.
It can be realized that Sexual activity, like eating, can be motivated by a disturbing emotion or
attitude, a constructive one, or a neutral one. Based on the motivation, the act of having sex or
eating likewise becomes destructive, constructive, or neutral
10
Besides this point, though Sexual activity belongs to basic distinct, people can control, transform,
sublimate according to the peoples demands and will, sexual energy can be sublimated into other
things: art, music, intense religious faith, and so on. This is the positive factor in sexuality desire
dominating.
Sexuality in some popular traditions
In general, the approach to ethics in Buddhism is very different from the Western approach and
other traditions. In Western culture, the ethical system is mainly from the Biblical background.

7
Dr. Quang Xing, IBC College E-learning center lessons, Unit 7
8
Brooker, A concise glossary of Cultural theory, http://faculty.washington.edu/mlg/courses/definitions/sexuality.htm
9
Frankowski BL; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence (June 2004). "Sexual orientation and
adolescents". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_sexual_orientation)
10
Alexander Berzin, Introduction to Buddhist Sexual Ethics: Having Sex with Someone Else's Partner,
Dorfgemeinschaft Bordo, Italy, 1995
3
The main purpose of sex in Christian tradition which is only accepted in marriage is transmission of
human life, as Pop Paul IV mentioned in HUMANE VITAE The transmission of human life is a
most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator.
It has always been a source of great joy to them.
11
Unlike with Buddhism, in Christian theology, the moral character of human action is essentially
determined by the relation to Gods will
12
. Everything refers to God, against to Gods intention is
sin. Buddhism has no concept equivalent to this kind of sin.
Therefore, sexuality intercourse outside marriage is considered as sin. Bisexuality and
homosexuality are also condemned in Bible, it is considered as anti-natural and obnoxious.
Catholic ethic does not think highly of body so the measure of sexual obsession prevention by the
priests is to punish the body themselves, use the rod whip the body until it becomes bloody.
After World War II, the youths in Western countries almost felt into psychological crisis, and
existentialism appeared. This doctrine made people loved in crazy, followed by instinct, enjoyed
sexual desire as much as they can and bisexual was no more forbidden. They were free to do what
they want, the sexual free has been continued until now.
In Chinese ancient time, besides the life transmission duty, sexuality also is the mean of life-
support to increase human lifespan. The mentioned:
, , ,,
13
Yang has Yin to produce sexual desire, Yin support Yang together grows, Yin Yang supports each
other to become, together induction and circulation.
In (The Yellow Emperors classic of medicine canon) wrote:

Huang di said: the law of Yin and Yang is the natural order of the universe, the foundation of all
things, mother of all changed, the root of life and death
Chapter 55 in (Dao De Ching) mentioned the importance of sexual energy control to bring
healthy to people:
..

14
Besides those, large amounts of descriptions of sex organs and their formations as well as sexual
health-preserving measures can be found in the Taoist's early masterpieces such as Huang Ting Jing
(). Sexuality is called "Skills in the Room" in the ancient times. The main purposes of the
Skills in the Room in ancient China are as follows: first, longevity and even eternity; second,
preventing and getting rid of diseases, and third, proliferation and perfect. Of these three, the first is
of most importance.

11
Pop Paul IV, Human Vitae (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-
vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html)
12
Karl H. Peschke, Christian Ethics Moral theology in the light of Vatican II, Logos Publication, Inc. 1996 page 13
13
(http://phongthuyquan.com/diendan/index.php?topic=1060.0)
14
(http://www.ehva.org/laoclass/tao3.htm)
4
In all Islamic countries sex is a taboo, unmarried couples are forced to seek out secret erotic places.
Cultural products that are devoted to the human sex topic incur the wrath of conservative religious
officials and are promptly ceased.
From all said-above, the two conclusions would be drawn that, there are two main concepts of
sexuality as limited sex, put it on marriage (Christian, Islam) and free sex and sexuality is not the
bad thing if it is restricted to some extent. Sexual indulgence is not wicked, is not sin but it may
be in some degree inadvisable. Most people will not feel able to refrain altogether (nor are they
being urged to), but there is merit in moderation.
15
If people try to oppress sex instinct by all means, mental and physical health problem will be
happened. Total sexual control in the sense of perfect abstinence is quite obviously dangerous. It is
perhaps the mistake of the Roman Catholic Church that it seeks to impose this discipline on too
many people and too absolutely.
Buddhist view on sexuality
The Buddha clamed that emotional attractions between the sexes are natural: nothing else in the
world, it is said, can delight and cheer a man so much as a woman. In her, one would find all the
fivefold pleasures of the senses. The world of pleasure exists in her. All these five-fold pleasures of
the senses which gratify the mind are centered in the feminine form (A III, 69)
A man ponders over the masculinity in himself, ponders over his masculine behavior, attire, ways,
impulses, voice and charm.. Being in love with his own sex (masculinity) he goes into union with
woman. A woman ponders over the femininity in herselfBeing in love with her own sex
(femininity) she goes into union with man. Thus she has not gone beyond her own femininity (A
IV, 57-58):
Buddhism mentioned that sexuality is one of reason to form human being of this world:
Over time, they acquired a taste for physical nutriment. And as they consumed it, their bodies
became denser and more as human bodies are now. They dimmed and began to acquire differences
in appearance. Their lifespan shortened, they differentiated into two sexes and became sexually
actives. Greed, theft, and violence arose among them
16
Buddhism does not support for the sexuality, also does not care about the marriage because they tie
people to the cycle of birth and death, but some knowledge of sexuality nature and how it can be
transcended is the help to sort out the sexual problems
Sexuality will never be totally satisfied: The problem with sex according to Buddhism... is not the
activity of sex, but the desire for sex. The sexual desire of a human being will never be ultimately
satisfied through sexual activity
17
It is repeated that sexual desire is not sinful thing, it belongs to the basic instinct of human being,
the bad thing is to be disturbed by it all the time and people have to find all means to satisfy it. Or
people is repressed by sexual desire in a long time and can not be released will make the mind and
physical body depression. Some kinds of mental illness will be happened. The important thing is
people need to have the active solution. The sexual desire never ends if it not to be controlled.
Buddhist moral in sexuality control

15
M. O'C. Walshe, Buddhism and Sex, 2006 (http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/walshe/wheel225.html)
16
DN 27, On knowledge of beginning (www.columbia.edu/itc/religion/f2001/edit/docs/aggannasutta.pdf)
17
Kusala bikkhu- The problem with sex in Buddhism (http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma5/sex.html)
5
The "Threefold training" of discipline, meditative concentration, and wisdom is the best way to
control sexuality, in which meditative concentration (samatha) practice shows the excellent mean,
when the mind stills, it can lead to the jhana states. The four foundations of mindfulness as set forth
there are: mindfulness as to body, feelings, states of mind, and mind-contents. In this method, there
is no forcing. Rigid suppression by an act of will not be required.
Keeping a vegetarian diet helps to control the sexual hormones in the human body (testosterone for
males, estrogen for females). This can reduce people sexual desire.
Practicing meditation in daily life means to keep the mind not to attachment from the sexual issues,
when the sexual desires happen in the mind, people needs to look directly into it until itself and
people become one, at that time the feeling of sexual desire will disappear. I learned this method
from Krishnamurti when I read his book of Education and significance of life. He claimed that
people is caught by sexuality because they does not face it but try to find the way to satisfy or to
avoid it by applying many forms of entertainment activities. Sex has become important because in
every other direction people are living a life of conflict, of self-aggrandizement and frustration and
instead of looking at themselves, people look at somebody else, look at the ministers, priests,
entertainments.
To the Buddhist, of course, sex is an expression perhaps the chief expression of that tanha or
craving which brings dukkha in its train. It is therefore quite logical that we should seek to bring it
under control. The aim of the true Buddhist is to bring about the cessation of craving
18
I believe the only way to bring about the cessation of sexual desire is to practice mindfulness
meditation as mentioned by the Buddha or Krishnamurti
Conclusion
Sexuality is one of key issue in life. But itself, it is neither "good" nor "bad." But can surely create
problems if people can not overcome it fully.
Whatever like or not, people need to face it directly and find the ways to control this, if not people
will bear the suffer result interminably. Buddhist ethic has the clear view on this issue, the very
ignorance mind with full unwholesome sensual desires is the cause and is convicted. The right way
is to practice mindfulness meditation and comply with Buddhist morality, this will keep people
from the harmfulness of unwholesome attitudes of sexuality.

18
M. O'C. Walshe - Buddhism and Sex (http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/walshe/wheel225.html)
6
References
1. Dr. Quang Xing, Buddhism and Society lessons, IBC College E-learning center
2. James Fieser, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, (http://www.iep.utm.edu/ethics/) Web 14
Feb 2014
3. Karl H. Peschke, Christian Ethics Moral theology in the light of Vatican II, Logos
Publication, Inc. 1996
4. Pop Paul IV, Human Vitae
(http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-
vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html) Web 14 Feb 2014
5. Brooker, A concise glossary of Cultural theory,
http://faculty.washington.edu/mlg/courses/definitions/sexuality.htm
6. Frankowski BL; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence (June 2004).
"Sexual orientation and adolescents".
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_sexual_orientation) Web 14 Feb 2014
7. Edward Conze, Buddhist Scriptures, Penguin Books Inc, USA 1971
8. Alexander Berzin, Introduction to Buddhist Sexual Ethics: Having Sex with Someone Else's
Partner, Dorfgemeinschaft Bordo, Italy, 1995
9. , http://ctext.org/huangdi-neijing/jin-gui-zhen-yan-lun/zh Web 14 Feb 2014
10. (http://phongthuyquan.com/diendan/index.php?topic=1060.0) Web 14 Feb 2014
11. (http://www.ehva.org/laoclass/tao3.htm) Web 14 Feb 2014
12. M. O'C. Walshe, Buddhism and Sex, 2006
(http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/walshe/wheel225.html) Web 14 Feb 2014
13. D J Subasinha, Buddhist rules for the laity, Pilgrims Publishing, 2000
14. Bikkhu Bodhi, Samyuta Nikaya ( Connected Discourse of the Buddha) Web Feb 13, 2014
15. Bikkhu Bodhi, Angutara Nikaya ( The Numerical Discourse of the Buddha) Web Feb 13,
2014)
16. K.Sri Dhammanada, How to live without fear and worry, BMS Publications Malaysia