[tarmpriopay]

Just wondering re Buddhist position on this issue.

Are their suttas that could relate to this; dont know if it prevailed much 2500 years ago.

Is it a taboo area?

Do different schools hold differing views.

Kind regards

[boanuatiguali]

Is it a taboo area?

hi Twinkie

certainly not. Buddha taught about the elements (faculties) of masculinity & feminity and how all things are comprised of a combination of elements. so, in each individual, there would be different degrees of elements that influence the sexual and/or gender orientation of the individual.

Buddha taught:

the Tathagata understands as it actually is the world with its many and different elements. That too is a Tathagata's power...

MN 12 if we carefully examine many Buddha statues, we may find they appear androgynous

kind regards

[SteantyjetMaw]

Hi Twinkie,

From the perspective of Buddhism, being transgender should not be an issue. A person's conduct is what is important, not their gender identity. Harsh reactions to being transgender are more often of a cultural bent rather than having anything to do with the Buddha's teachings. Some misinformed and prejudiced people may argue that the Buddha forbade homosexuals and transgender people from ordaining, citing the term "pandaka". However, "pandaka" does not refer to a sexual or gender identity, but rather a person's mode of conduct. Thus, being transgender is not a sin or an offense in the Buddha's teachings.

Knowing many transgender people in my real life and having befriended both male-to-female and female-to-male individuals, I am confident that there is nothing wrong with being transgender. These people are some of the kindest and deepest people I've met. In fact, two have attended the meditation group I visit and always have insightful experiences to share during the discussion section.

As for suttas, there is no record in the Sutta Pitaka of the Buddha ever having directly discussed transgender issues. There are, however, instances in the commentaries where transgender issues are raised, and some of them even seem to be sympathetic to transgender individuals.

Abhaya

[Konidurase]

Just a gentle reminder for anyone reading or posting in this thread that our Code of Conduct states:

" We welcome LGBT members to our community"

(LGBT means lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.)

Personally I have always felt as equally at ease with LGBT people as I have with heterosexuals and see no difference in terms of Buddhist practice.

I like these verse from a nun who is challenged by Mara in one of my favorite suttas, SN5.2 Soma Sutta....



"What does womanhood matter at all
When the mind is concentrated well,
When knowledge flows on steadily
As one sees correctly into Dhamma.

One to whom it might occur,
'I'm a woman' or 'I'm a man'
Or 'I'm anything at all' —
Is fit for Mara to address."


http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....002.bodh.html

[Michael-jeckson2]

Just a gentle reminder for anyone reading or posting in this thread that our Code of Conduct states:

" We welcome LGBT members to our community"

(LGBT means lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.)

Personally I have always felt as equally at ease with LGBT people as I have with heterosexuals and see no difference in terms of Buddhist practice.

I like these verse from a nun who is challenged by Mara in one of my favorite suttas, SN5.2 Soma Sutta....

As well as agreeing with Aloka-D above, I also don't see what impact another person's gender and sexual orientation has on other people in a general sense - seriously, I do not.

As a Buddhist practitioner, if I had a problem with an individual because they were homosexual, clearly it is my problem not the person's sexual orientation.

[Kiliunjubl]

As a Buddhist practitioner, if I had a problem with an individual because they were homosexual, clearly it is my problem not the person's sexual orientation.

Aptly stated.

[BenBoobmers]

Buddha taught universal love and equality. Meaning gender shouldn't have anything to do with how a person is treated. And it'd be quite strange and wrong if a Buddhist was to say "I don't care if you are a man or a woman, but I do care if you are a man who wants to be a woman, or a woman who wants to be a man."

If gender is truly not a reason for prejudice (it isn't), then having a problem with transgender people is like having a problem with a construction worker who wants to be a janitor, or somebody eating at McDonald's who would rather be eating at Taco Bell. I just doesn't make sense.

[Cxcvvfbgtr]

I don't even think the Buddha ever mentioned being homosexuality or trans-gender issues. Which, to me, says he must not have had a problem with them, because if he did he would have said something.

[NodePark]

Thanks Andyrobyn

Seem to be that bi- sexuality may be an issue that could cause problems re deciding a relationship

[OlegSan]

Seem to be that bi- sexuality may be an issue that could cause problems re deciding a relationship

Hi Twinkie,

The subject of this topic was ''Transgender issues- Just wondering re Buddhist position on this issue ".

''Transgender'' isn't the same as ''bisexuality'' ... and general speculation about other peoples sexuality and their relationships doesn't come under the heading of Buddhism for Beginners.

Thanks.

Aloka