dua macam pendapat. dalai lama dan ajahn brahm.
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Ajahn Brahm writes to West Australian newspaper in response to article
Posted by solasaurus on 2006/4/24 10:39:36 (2351 reads)
Ajahn Brahm today has written to the West Australian newspaper in response to an article published last week in which the Dalai Lama was quoted as saying that homosexuality was immoral. This article was first brought to the attention of Ajahn Brahm - the elected head of the Australian Sangha Association - by members of the BSWA's Armadale Meditation Group who felt that the Dalai Lama's comments were not in line with the Buddhist ethos. In his response Ajahn Brahm explains why, as follows....
Dear Sir/Madam,
The Dalai Lama was out of line when he said (according to your article in the West, April 15, Page 7) "if you are a Buddhist, homosexuality is wrong. Full stop." The Dalai Lama is not the 'Pope' of Buddhism and, charming as he often is, he sometimes gets it wrong. He is only the head of one of the four main sects of Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism) and he speaks only for his group.
The greater majority of Buddhists throughout the modern world are inspired to learn that the Buddha certainly did not discriminate against homosexuality. The core teachings of original Buddhism clearly show that it is not whether one is heterosexual, homosexual or celibate that is good or bad, but it is how a person uses their sexual orientation that makes for good or bad karma. For example a gay man in a committed, loving and joyful relationship with a male partner is definitely morally superior to a straight married guy who is unfaithful to his wife. Homosexuality is not wrong per se. However, it is bad karma to condemn homosexuality out of hand!
The Dalai Lama's error is to look for his guidance in dodgy scriptures composed many centuries after the time of the Buddha. So the fact is that the Buddha, and therefore Buddhism, embraces gays and lesbians and transexuals with equity and respect. Too long has religious bigotry caused suffering to minority groups in our society. All religions should be more loving. Full stop!
Ajahn Brahm
Abbot of Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery
Spiritual Director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia