Comments on: Sunday in Outer Blogness: Navigating Relationships Edition!

By: Alan Williams

Alan Williams — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:56:13 +0000

As far as I know in Theravadan tradition, Monks are the only individuals who actually have to follow the rules.

I’m not an expert, but I don’t think this is the best way to conceptualize what’s happening. Monastic tradition is different than lay tradition, and although monasticism is upheld, that does not mean that lay people (who have businesses to tend to, or engage in the rearing of children, etc) are not “following the rules.” Monks, for example, have to tend to the business of the monastery, given that their way of life is not free. But just because they’re dealing with money, I don’t think this makes them any less “Buddhist” — although, I’m sure they would rather not have to deal with it.

0 likes

By: wayne

wayne — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:29:43 +0000

Alan-
Another big difference between Mormonism and Budddhism is that Mormons will tell you that they are Mormon. In a place like Thailand being Buddhist is more a way of life than a Religion.

Of that 95% I would bet that the portion of Buddhists who actually have knowledge of the rules and follow them is fairly small.

As far as I know in Theravadan tradition, Monks are the only individuals who actually have to follow the rules. Mahayana is much more demanding of non- monastic practitioners(I could just be bragging)

0 likes

By: Alan Williams

Alan Williams — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:40:28 +0000

Hi Wayne…the reason I picked Thailand is because it’s 95% Buddhist. I should clarify: Family structure isn’t dictated by Buddhist doctrine the way it is in Mormonism. There’s no Buddhist stance against homosexuality (and alternative domestic relations), but this doesn’t mean certain instances of Thai culture aren’t anti-homosexual or non-same-sex-inclusive for other reasons. Universally, there would be a Buddhist stance against, say, being adulterous and hurtful to one’s spouse regardless of gender. (And there is, of course, the more communitarian/ascetic aspect of celibacy for monks and nuns, where your “family” is all of humankind.) All in all, Buddhist doctrine informs what family members do and how they treat each other, but not what form the family itself takes.

Conversely, Mormonism requires the female-male pairing and celibacy is actually considered lesser than being married and having children — although arguably, celibacy is gaining traction in Mormon culture due to SSA. My feeling is that after the polygamy issue at the end of the 19th century, the Church made very explicit what was an “ethical” family structure, which put itself in a corner with regard to SSA.

0 likes

By: Wayne

Wayne — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:36:21 +0000

Here is a link which talks about Buddhism and Homo-sexuality http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_budd.htm

0 likes

By: Wayne

Wayne — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:23:18 +0000

Alan-
Just to clarify, even cultures where Buddhism exists do put confines on what one can do inside a marriage.
I know in Japan for example people’s lifestyle is not necessarily dictated by Buddhist precepts. The Buddhist precept on sexuality is pretty clear, but it only applies if you actually take up the Buddhist practice: as a lay-member or Monk. For Monks sex is strictly forbidden, the lay-member is encouraged to keep from misusing sex.

I don’t know how Thai Buddhists practice but I would not be surprised if you asked a Thai if their sexual decisions were based on Buddhist law, they might say no.

0 likes

By: chanson

chanson — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:27:19 +0000

Holly — glad you like it! There was some really amazing discussion this past week.

0 likes

By: chanson

chanson — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:56:19 +0000

Chino — Thank you for nominating this feature!

0 likes

By: Chino Blanco

Chino Blanco — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:45:25 +0000

I’d like to encourage all SiOB readers to take a sec, click through, scroll down to the last category listed in the 2009 Niblets Awards, and vote for SiOB as “Best Weekly Feature”:

http://mormonmatters.org/2010/01/25/vote-here-2009-niblets-awards/

Cheers!

0 likes

By: Holly

Holly — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:12:12 +0000

Wow. Outer blogness is always good, but this edition is great. This is an invaluable list of discussions on a truly vital topic. thanks.

0 likes

By: Alan Williams

Alan Williams — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:01:33 +0000

chanson @ 2: Yes, that’s what I meant by it being a feminist issue. In terms of nesting, vulnerable infants need a stable environment, but I don’t think nesting necessarily equals 2 adults (or one male, one female). Just look at the early days of the church. =p

Wayne @ 4: Na, West means America/Western Europe.

0 likes