“Dalai Lama has thrown his considerable moral weight behind gay marriage, condemning homophobia and saying sex was fine as long as it was consensual.”

The Dalai Lama’s views on gay sex: “If two males or two females voluntarily agree to have mutual satisfaction without further implication of harming others, then it is okay.”

 

 

“If two people — a couple — really feel that way is more practical, more sort of satisfaction, both sides fully agree, then okay.”

We are all equally possessed of fundamental human goodness.

The tradition of Buddhism (I’m Buddhist, this is what I’ve been taught) is this:

“Always trust the principle one.” Meaning, trust your own judgment before any outside (theistic) wisdom.

“Do not follow what I say. Only do what I say if it meets your experience.” ~ Buddha

Dalai Lama: “If Buddhism and science conflict, we go with Science.”

I don’t have the exact quotes, but that’s the gist.

The Dalai Lama’s views on homosexuality.

Excerpt from Wikipedia:

In his discussions of the traditional Buddhist view on appropriate sexual behavior, he explains the concept of “right organ in the right object at the right time,” which historically has been interpreted as indicating that oral, manual and anal sex (both homosexual and heterosexual) are not appropriate in Buddhism or for Buddhists, yet he also says that in modern times all common, consensual sexual practices that do not cause harm to others are ethically acceptable and that society should not discriminate against gays and lesbians and should accept and respect them from a secular point of view.^[75] In a 1994 interview with OUT Magazine, the Dalai Lama clarified his personal opinion on the matter by saying, “If someone comes to me and asks whether homosexuality is okay or not, I will ask ‘What is your companion’s opinion?’. If you both agree, then I think I would say, ‘If two males or two females voluntarily agree to have mutual satisfaction without further implication of harming others, then it is okay.'”^[76]

In his 1996 book Beyond Dogma, he described a traditional Buddhist definition of an appropriate sexual act as follows: “A sexual act is deemed proper when the couples use the organs intended for sexual intercourse and nothing else… Homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact.”^[77]

He elaborated in 1997, explaining that the basis of that teaching was unknown to him and acknowledging that “some of the teachings may be specific to a particular cultural and historic context,” while clarifying the historical Buddhist position (in contrast with his personal opinion) by saying, “Buddhist sexual proscriptions ban homosexual activity and heterosexual sex through orifices other than the vagina, including masturbation or other sexual activity with the hand… From a Buddhist point of view, lesbian and gay sex is generally considered sexual misconduct”. Nonetheless, he reiterated, Buddhism calls for respect, compassion, and equal treatment for all, including homosexuals.^[78]

Say these every morning: