Contemporary Theravāda and Zen Buddhist attitudes to human sexuality
An exercise in comparative ethics
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4814327 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Michel Clasquin, Michel Clasquin-Johnson (0000-0003-2780-9718, University of South Africa, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1992 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 63-83 |
| Publication date | 1992-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religion (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0048-721X • E-ISSN: 1096-1151 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1016/0048-721x(92)90037-5 |
| OpenAlex | W1980199108 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 8 |
As in many other religions, the issue of the correct attitude towards human sexual activity reflects the fundamental philosophical standpoints of the various branches of the Buddhist religion. In this article, the Theravāda and Zen schools are examined, both in general terms and through an indepth examination of the opinions which some leading contemporary Buddhist spokesmen of both groups hold on the matter. The Theravādin stance is found to be that sexual activity is something to be ultimately transcended in the attainment of Nibbāna. This tallies with its conception of Nibbāna as fundamentally different from Samsara. As an interim measure, the Theravādins maintain that a harmonious sexual existence is best achieved by observing certain rules which define certain persons as inadmissible sexual partners, and stress the necessity of approaching those who transgress sexually in a compassionate manner. In the Zen tradition, the Mahāyāna non-dualistic concept of Nirvāna as not intrinsically different from Samsāra has led to the acceptance of sexuality as an integral aspect of the religious life, albeit one which needs to be practised within the context of the disciplined Zen life style
Buddhism · Context (archaeology) · Epistemology · Human sexuality · Sociology · Theology · Chinese history and philosophy · Gender Studies · History · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Philosophy · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |