Question: Could watching Porn be harmful from a Buddhist point of view?
I know that personally the less distractions I have in daily life the more I can stay focused, grounded and be mindful on what’s going on in and around me. Too much TV, internet, drugs and porn can create a confused and stressed mind. So if one needs to masturbate it’s better without looking at porn of any kind, just be mindful on what’s going on in the here and now, the sensations etc. What do you think?

My answer:

From a “Hinayana” point of view, less is definitely more. It’s good to focus on building a foundation of sanity and mindfulness. But there’s certainly no moralistic problem with porn, beyond the fact that it could (or not) wrap your mind up in lust, not getting out and meeting actual men or women…that said, masturbation is healthy, of course, no problem there morally either.

That said, some porn is degraded, and that’s probably the equivalent of eating factory farmed food vs. wholesome food that came from a local farm. Some porn is more respectful and fun and uplifted, and that might be more healthy, mentally, to spend time enjoying.

Just my two cents.

Going beyond that, from a “Vajrayana” point of view, as Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Chaos should be regarded as extremely good news.” IE lust, porn, distractions generally (you see that too with the “fly” in Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind being a symbol of how distraction can remind us to wake up, and actually be a vehicle to speed our path if regarded as such) are not a problem, and are in fact fun—distractions are welcome, transmuted, and celebrated. Still, that can be tough work…lust gets many of us and encouraging lust can be unhealthy…and philosophizing on transmuting lust can be easier than actually self-liberating it (which can be…hard).

Either way, practice makes perfect!

For the full discussion and other points of view, click over to r/Buddhism