Post by Save Your Karma on Jul 27, 2007 15:06:45 GMT -5
Deana Kalcich
RLST 481
Dr. Smith
December 13, 2006
Take Home Final
Whether it is to engage in them or abstain from them, sexual practices are very important in the Buddhist religion . Their monks are celibate. The monks believe that remaining celibate allows them to remain detached from worldly concerns so they can focus on the search for liberation. Sex was also feared because it could provide rival sensations to the calm and joy monks find in self-denial (Parrinder 45). Celibacy allowed the monks to focus all their energy on their enlightenment. “It was said that the monk was the only true Buddhist” (Parrinder 44). Buddhists believe that “pain came from craving , combined with pleasure and lust, finding pleasure here and there, the craving for passion, the craving for existence, the craving for non-existence. Pain would cease by overcoming this craving” (Parrinder 44). This self-denial for the monks freed them from pain and craving and allowed them to advance spiritually.
Buddhist Tantra seems to contradict these notions the Orthodox Buddhists held dear. The Buddhist tantra adapted the Buddha’s doctrine to meet the needs of the growing religion (Parrinder 49). “It was said that a king went to the Buddha and asked him for a Yoga that a could save his men in this present dark age. The Buddha revealed to him that the universe is contained in the man’s body, with its central sexual powers, and taught him how to attain liberation by proper methods (Parrinder 49). The “left-hand” Buddhist philosophers were more concerned with sex and argue that “the passions are the same as nirvana” (Parrinder 50). Left-handed Tantra worshiped male and female gods in union. Tantra were supposed to gain salvation through the emulation of these unions.
Though it seems that the Buddhists contradict their own doctrines it is understood that Orthodox Buddhists, those who still exist in it’s pure form, do not practice tantra and believe in the self-denial that brings enlightenment. Those who practice tantra are practicing a form of Buddhism, that rather than reject the nature sexual urges, uses them in a way that bring enlightenment.
Though the berdache is known for crossing gender boundaries, as they are traditionally drawn, they played an enormous role within the tribes, spiritual and practical lives. It is impossible to ignore the differences in gender the berdache possess. The berdache are generally accepted as being different from men. No matter what the specific tribes explanation of the berdache there are no specifications that the tribes should try to change the berdache’s behavior. In fact there are myths within the culture that d**n behavior meant to change or persecute the berdache. The option is often presented to boys who may potentially be berdache through specific rituals. The Mohave tradition includes the boy being put into a circle and music is played. If the boy dances like a woman he is bathed and given woman skirts and is given a new feminine name (Williams 24). As Williams points out, the Indian boys are not unintelligent, they know what the ritual is and the outcome of it, it is a conscious choice. The boy only becomes a berdache through his own choosing. In most tribes once you are a berdache you remain a berdache for life unless given spiritual direction otherwise.
A berdache is often seen as dreamer or a visionary and is thus sought out by shaman to given them advice. Despite the fact that berdache often are not shaman they have a large part in important ceremonies. Navajos are often responsible for preparing sacred food for large ceremonial gatherings, in the Plains the berdache are responsible for blessing the tree used for the Sun Dance ceremony. People seek out berdache for spiritual advice.
In daily living berdache are excellent contributors to their families and communities. They adopt child family members or members of the community that have been neglected or have been living in overcrowded homes. “Berdaches are recognized as having a special talent in educating children” and are often the best teachers at the schools they teach at.
Berdache are often talented laborers, doing work traditionally attributed to women, or in some cases the work of either gender, without the physical or practical limitations that women have. Berdache do not need to spend time having children and thus are not effected by time needed to prepare for children, birth them, recover, and nurse them. Berdache in their high status also have high expectations of themselves and due to that excel and are extremely productive.
In comparison to gay men in our culture, though berdache in Indian cultures are not considered to be homosexual even though homosexual activity occurs often, there aren’t many similarities. Berdache tend to dress in a feminine manner as do some gay men, though I don’t think it’s quite fair to compare berdache to transvestites or drag queens, more closely they could be compared to pre-opt transsexuals though transsexuals are not necessarily gay. Berache are talented in what we would consider to be domestic arts as are stereotypical gay men. The same is true in the arts as gay men are often talented artists or musicians or actors while Berdache basket weavers and talented at bead work. On the flip side, to be a berdache is socially acceptable while being a gay man is not. Berdache are considered to be great teachers while often gay men must hide their sexuality while teaching for fear of parental uproar and in some instances termination of employment. Berdache are given the choice and their decision is embraced while gay men must struggle against the automatic straight labeling to express themselves often to a hostile family and community audience.
Stripped of the abuse and neglect that tends to surround Mormon polygamy, there is no reason that the Mormon church could not and should not continue this practice. From a religious standpoint, the Mormons believed that polygamy was a commandment from God. Clearly, if God tells you to do something, that is reason enough. Ethically, if one is taking responsibility for their wife and children there is no need for any legal prohibitions. Another argument for polygamy is that The United States was founded on religious freedom and thus any citizen should be able to practice their religion without suffering any legal action. However, personally the reason to be against polygamy has nothing to do with the theory or intentions but the practicality. In practice polygamy seems to cultivate neglect and child abuse. While theoretically there is no reason to be against polygamy and certainly it should not be outlawed when it is looked at in doctrine. But when people practicing it are not supporting their families and are abusing children then there are grounds for making it illegal. While The United States has outlawed it out of religious bias, personally I do not think that polygamy should be legalized while there are such strong ties to abuse.
Is sex or can sex be sacred? Sex I tend to think of as any sexual act that can result in an orgasm, not an STD like particular classmates. Can sex be sacred? I tend to think of something religious as sacred and tend to only use it in that context, though when one reads the definition of sacred it also includes reverence for a person, purpose, or object. When given that meaning I believe that sex can be sacred. I do not think sex can lead to salvation, but I do think that sex create a positive energy not only in a relationship but individually as well. In our society too much having to do with sex is taboo, when something so natural is frowned upon by seemingly everyone around you it takes a toll on your self esteem. When you engage in activity that you find to be taboo and realize that there is nothing wrong with that behavior you are liberated and given a huge personal boost. Sex can also be very positive to relationships, if you are engaging in an activity where you are giving and receiving large amounts of pleasure in such a personal way it can create a very positive bound between you and that person. I do not see sex to be a way of communing with the gods, or creating energy to boost you to a higher consciousness, but it gives you positive energy that you then release into the universe. Feeling confident and good about yourself makes you move productive and generous. Happy people tend to share their happiness, often it makes us feel good to see happy people. Why should we treat something that has the power to make people so happy, keep in mind we are talking about mutual pleasure free from violence and any sort of pressure, with anything but reverence.
RLST 481
Dr. Smith
December 13, 2006
Take Home Final
Whether it is to engage in them or abstain from them, sexual practices are very important in the Buddhist religion . Their monks are celibate. The monks believe that remaining celibate allows them to remain detached from worldly concerns so they can focus on the search for liberation. Sex was also feared because it could provide rival sensations to the calm and joy monks find in self-denial (Parrinder 45). Celibacy allowed the monks to focus all their energy on their enlightenment. “It was said that the monk was the only true Buddhist” (Parrinder 44). Buddhists believe that “pain came from craving , combined with pleasure and lust, finding pleasure here and there, the craving for passion, the craving for existence, the craving for non-existence. Pain would cease by overcoming this craving” (Parrinder 44). This self-denial for the monks freed them from pain and craving and allowed them to advance spiritually.
Buddhist Tantra seems to contradict these notions the Orthodox Buddhists held dear. The Buddhist tantra adapted the Buddha’s doctrine to meet the needs of the growing religion (Parrinder 49). “It was said that a king went to the Buddha and asked him for a Yoga that a could save his men in this present dark age. The Buddha revealed to him that the universe is contained in the man’s body, with its central sexual powers, and taught him how to attain liberation by proper methods (Parrinder 49). The “left-hand” Buddhist philosophers were more concerned with sex and argue that “the passions are the same as nirvana” (Parrinder 50). Left-handed Tantra worshiped male and female gods in union. Tantra were supposed to gain salvation through the emulation of these unions.
Though it seems that the Buddhists contradict their own doctrines it is understood that Orthodox Buddhists, those who still exist in it’s pure form, do not practice tantra and believe in the self-denial that brings enlightenment. Those who practice tantra are practicing a form of Buddhism, that rather than reject the nature sexual urges, uses them in a way that bring enlightenment.
Though the berdache is known for crossing gender boundaries, as they are traditionally drawn, they played an enormous role within the tribes, spiritual and practical lives. It is impossible to ignore the differences in gender the berdache possess. The berdache are generally accepted as being different from men. No matter what the specific tribes explanation of the berdache there are no specifications that the tribes should try to change the berdache’s behavior. In fact there are myths within the culture that d**n behavior meant to change or persecute the berdache. The option is often presented to boys who may potentially be berdache through specific rituals. The Mohave tradition includes the boy being put into a circle and music is played. If the boy dances like a woman he is bathed and given woman skirts and is given a new feminine name (Williams 24). As Williams points out, the Indian boys are not unintelligent, they know what the ritual is and the outcome of it, it is a conscious choice. The boy only becomes a berdache through his own choosing. In most tribes once you are a berdache you remain a berdache for life unless given spiritual direction otherwise.
A berdache is often seen as dreamer or a visionary and is thus sought out by shaman to given them advice. Despite the fact that berdache often are not shaman they have a large part in important ceremonies. Navajos are often responsible for preparing sacred food for large ceremonial gatherings, in the Plains the berdache are responsible for blessing the tree used for the Sun Dance ceremony. People seek out berdache for spiritual advice.
In daily living berdache are excellent contributors to their families and communities. They adopt child family members or members of the community that have been neglected or have been living in overcrowded homes. “Berdaches are recognized as having a special talent in educating children” and are often the best teachers at the schools they teach at.
Berdache are often talented laborers, doing work traditionally attributed to women, or in some cases the work of either gender, without the physical or practical limitations that women have. Berdache do not need to spend time having children and thus are not effected by time needed to prepare for children, birth them, recover, and nurse them. Berdache in their high status also have high expectations of themselves and due to that excel and are extremely productive.
In comparison to gay men in our culture, though berdache in Indian cultures are not considered to be homosexual even though homosexual activity occurs often, there aren’t many similarities. Berdache tend to dress in a feminine manner as do some gay men, though I don’t think it’s quite fair to compare berdache to transvestites or drag queens, more closely they could be compared to pre-opt transsexuals though transsexuals are not necessarily gay. Berache are talented in what we would consider to be domestic arts as are stereotypical gay men. The same is true in the arts as gay men are often talented artists or musicians or actors while Berdache basket weavers and talented at bead work. On the flip side, to be a berdache is socially acceptable while being a gay man is not. Berdache are considered to be great teachers while often gay men must hide their sexuality while teaching for fear of parental uproar and in some instances termination of employment. Berdache are given the choice and their decision is embraced while gay men must struggle against the automatic straight labeling to express themselves often to a hostile family and community audience.
Stripped of the abuse and neglect that tends to surround Mormon polygamy, there is no reason that the Mormon church could not and should not continue this practice. From a religious standpoint, the Mormons believed that polygamy was a commandment from God. Clearly, if God tells you to do something, that is reason enough. Ethically, if one is taking responsibility for their wife and children there is no need for any legal prohibitions. Another argument for polygamy is that The United States was founded on religious freedom and thus any citizen should be able to practice their religion without suffering any legal action. However, personally the reason to be against polygamy has nothing to do with the theory or intentions but the practicality. In practice polygamy seems to cultivate neglect and child abuse. While theoretically there is no reason to be against polygamy and certainly it should not be outlawed when it is looked at in doctrine. But when people practicing it are not supporting their families and are abusing children then there are grounds for making it illegal. While The United States has outlawed it out of religious bias, personally I do not think that polygamy should be legalized while there are such strong ties to abuse.
Is sex or can sex be sacred? Sex I tend to think of as any sexual act that can result in an orgasm, not an STD like particular classmates. Can sex be sacred? I tend to think of something religious as sacred and tend to only use it in that context, though when one reads the definition of sacred it also includes reverence for a person, purpose, or object. When given that meaning I believe that sex can be sacred. I do not think sex can lead to salvation, but I do think that sex create a positive energy not only in a relationship but individually as well. In our society too much having to do with sex is taboo, when something so natural is frowned upon by seemingly everyone around you it takes a toll on your self esteem. When you engage in activity that you find to be taboo and realize that there is nothing wrong with that behavior you are liberated and given a huge personal boost. Sex can also be very positive to relationships, if you are engaging in an activity where you are giving and receiving large amounts of pleasure in such a personal way it can create a very positive bound between you and that person. I do not see sex to be a way of communing with the gods, or creating energy to boost you to a higher consciousness, but it gives you positive energy that you then release into the universe. Feeling confident and good about yourself makes you move productive and generous. Happy people tend to share their happiness, often it makes us feel good to see happy people. Why should we treat something that has the power to make people so happy, keep in mind we are talking about mutual pleasure free from violence and any sort of pressure, with anything but reverence.
