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Q-18: Bhante, what is the Buddhist perspective on homosexuality? A friend of mine is having this love-affairs. Is it because of past kamma.

With Respect,

A Youth

A-18: Love affair (methuna) is, according to Buddhist teaching, simply a relationship of two or more parties. In Buddhist Teachings, the Third Precept is the avoidance or prohibition of sexual misconduct.

While it is true that Buddhism prohibits sexual misconduct, we cannot find in the Buddhist teachings anything that specifically indicates homosexuality as a sexual misconduct. Therefore, most interpreters take this to mean that homosexuality should be viewed in the same light as heterosexuality. In short, where a relationship exist based on mutual consent, love, respect and loyalty and where it does not involve adultery, it could be interpreted as not breaking the Third Precept. And this could be interpreted in the same manner for two people of the same gender. Therefore, the same factors of what constitute a sexual misconduct for a heterosexual relationship could apply for a homosexual relationship.

My thoughts are that this matter is too personal  for me to make any comments. My answer to this question is “Neutral.” Perhaps, for some, they would view homosexuality as monosexuality as far as their personal ethic is concerned.

Is it because of past kamma?

It is hard to say that it is only due to past kamma because we cannot ignore present kamma including the environmental influences and other situations.

With Metta,

U Cittara

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Dhamma Questions are answered by Bhante U Cittara, resident monk of Mangala Vihara, and his assistant monks. Questions and comments on given answers are welcome. Send your questions and comments to resident_monk@mangalavihara.org.sg.