Printable View
In some meditation practices, the importance of not losing your sexual energy too often (or at least having some control) is emphasized.
Will Zazen - Shikantaza style practice be more effective if some amount of sexual restraint is in place? Or does it not matter at all?
- Sam
Hi Sam,
Depends on the person. Celibacy was mainstream for the monastic community in Buddhism for most of its history, although not for "householders/lay folks". Celibacy is still the right path for some, while householding is the path for others. As well, even for householders, the Teachings emphasize not "misusing sexuality" ... in other words, keeping it healthy and not addictive, abusive or harmful.
About 130 years ago, Japanese Buddhist clergy of all stripes (not only Zen priests) started marrying, although many had been marrying or entering into relationships for centuries before. At first, it was viewed as an attempt to weaken Buddhism (and support Shinto). However, it also has the potential to be one of the most freeing, modernizing and overall best events that ever happened to Buddhism in its history. Perhaps nothing more has served to bring these teachings "out into the world" and to "knock down the monastery walls" to drop the barriers between monks and lay folks.
My own view is that sexuality, like our Oryoki eating, is something to be enjoyed yet held sacred. Balance is possible. One can find the beauty of these practices in the household kitchen as much as in the temple kitchen, by cleaning the children's nursery as much as cleaning a monastery altar, both in the bedroom and everywhere else.
So, in short ... some people may benefit from celibacy in practice. Maybe all of us can benefit from time to time (or face such times whether we want them or not! ;) ) But, no, nothing is "left out" of Shikantaza if balanced and healthy.
Gassho, Jundo
Well,
10 years of marriage and raising 3 kids, sure is a good training and practice opportunity! :D
Gassho
Enkyo
I second Enkyo!
Sent from my BlackBerry 9790 using Tapatalk
How true!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Enkyo
Thanks Jundo
Second that! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Enkyo
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
>Is Celibacy needed for Zen Practice?
Is the opposite of celibacy (whatever it's called) ever needed for zen practice? I'm looking for a new line to convince the wife with tonight... if the toddler ever goes to bed of course that is.
lol!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by catfish
It is recommended to be celibate for the duration of Zazen, I believe. :-)
Gassho
Myozan
@Nengyo and Myozan: *ROFL* :D
@Sam:
Having sex is a natural part of being a human (and of course for most animals - and we humans are also animals, of course).
Denying/negating sex is negating our nature, denying an important and natural part of our life.
Zen is about life and embracing every aspect of it - and this includes sex, too.
(Long term) Celibacy is unnatural for me, as it negates life in a certain way.
In my arrogant opinion...
Gassho,
Timo
LOL ... Good anwser Myozan. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Myozan Kodo
Gassho
Shingen
Haha! Myozan!
Brilliant!Quote:
Originally Posted by Myozan Kodo
[claps]
Gassho,
Kyonin
Well, I'll try, but I'm not promising anything!Quote:
Originally Posted by Myozan Kodo
Sam,
Here's an interesting article from a Japanese Zen monk. Basically he says that celibacy should come natural to anyone who's practicing it and that it shouldn't be forced. He says that celibacy is natural to him, for example.
I would think that anyone who's going the monastic route should seriously consider it but for us lay people keeping the "not missusing sexuality" precept is hard enough in its wider meaning.
Hold on! What's this?
Attachment 1033
We certainly don't see this in Zen.
I used to go to an isolated and beautiful Tibetan centre for retreat in the south of Ireland (see http://www.dzogchenbeara.org/) and was always struck by this depiction, which hung on the wall of the meditation hall. They're building a full Tibetan temple there now.
Gassho
Myozan
For those who do not know, in Tibetan esoteric Buddhism:
One would generally not see such depictions in Zen or other Buddhism. The Tibetans tend to be a bit more colorful!Quote:
Yab-yum (Tibetan literally, "father-mother") is a common symbol in the Buddhist art of India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet representing the male deity in sexual union with his female consort. Often the male deity is sitting in lotus position while his consort is sitting in his lap.
... the male figure is usually linked to compassion (karuṇā) and skillful means (upāya-kauśalya), while the female partner to "insight" (prajñā).[1]
Yab-yum is generally understood to represent the primordial (or mystical) union of wisdom and compassion.[3] In Buddhism the masculine form is active, representing the compassion and skillful means (upaya [4]) that have to be developed in order to reach enlightenment. The feminine form is passive and represents wisdom (prajna), which is also necessary to enlightenment. United, the figures symbolize the union necessary to overcome the veils of Maya, the false duality of object and subject.
Gassho, J