Jain, Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh Perspectives on Homosexuality

By Hayli Harding --
06 May 2015 --

Islam, Christianity and Judaism have been vocal about their views on homosexuality, but there is little discussion on how other major world religions view the topic. Here we will cover Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Sikhism views based on interviews, scripture and other sources.

Majorly Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism has shared their views on their Homosexuality.

Jainism

Jainism’s views of homosexuality are simple to explain. No sex. At all. Period. They don’t promote one way of sexuality over another, but that any sex that isn’t for procreation is not permitted. Of course, since homosexuality cannot be used to reproduce, it is automatically not allowed. However, it is right there with any heterosexual sex for fun, premarital sex, and any other kind.

Buddhism

Buddha’s 5 precepts cover the 5 things that people should refrain from doing, rather than something considered commandments. In one of them, he states that lay-people should refrain from “sexual misconduct.” What that entails isn’t specified, though he did add that men should respect a woman’s commitment. He felt that as long as it was consensual, affectionate and loving, sex is fine. Once you threaten, harm, break commitments, abuse or force, it is not acceptable. Buddhism overall encourages peace and love. Buddha’s last words were to Venerable Anand, his companion, who cried and didn’t know who to follow and believe in. Buddha told him ‘appa deepo bhava’ (be a light unto yourself). The Dalai Lama has stated that homosexual sex is okay if nobody is harmed and it’s completely consensual.

https://twitter.com/studentbuddha/status/443087663738789889

Hinduism

While those practicing Hinduism have various stances on homosexuality, as a whole, same-sex is frequently shown as natural in the world through mythical stories. Many of the temples depict same-sex relationships and sexual behavior between all genders. The scriptures about the deities show many of them as androgynous, such as Shiva. Ayyappa was born from Vishnu and Shiva when Shiva had taken a female form. The story of Bhagiratha follows that he was born from two women who had sexual intercourse under divine blessings. The Kamasutra primarily describes intercourse as a form of pleasure, and even divided up types of men into female and male type. Jiddu Krishnamurti, a Hindu philosopher, has said that homosexuality has only been viewed as a problem because “humans focus too much on sex.”

Ayyappa is known as "Hariharan Puthiran" because he is the son of Hari (Vishnu) the Saviour and Haran (Shiva) the destroyer
— vicneswaran ganeson (@vicnes7) July 31, 2011

Sikhism

Sikhism doesn’t actually have many teachings on sexuality one way or the other. It primarily aims to not hate or be angry at others regardless of their lives and being. While some preachers, such as Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, condemn it, many feel that, based on what has been stated in the Guru Granth Sahib, it isn’t a bad thing. The Sikh Gurus mainly encourage the married life between two souls, which don’t have genders. There is little controversy, aside from the preachers, and LGBTI are welcome to temple and other activities. However, since it isn’t specifically addressed, they don’t hold marriage ceremonies for LGBTI in their churches.