Buddhism - Relationships and Families

Question 1

What are the Buddhist attitudes towards sex in the lay community?

Answer 1

They believe that sexual feelings are not shameful or or wrong but that sexual craving involves tanha (craving), one of the main causes of suffering and as such sexual relationships should only occur when guided by kindness, generosity, honesty and awareness.

Question 2

What are Buddhist attitudes towards sex in the monastic community?

Answer 2

Most Buddhist monks/nuns take a vow of celibacy when they become ordained.

Question 3

What are some similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian attitudes to sex?

Answer 3

Similarity - Both religion’s monastic members take oath of celibacy.
Difference - Buddhists allow sexual relationships outside of wedlock, the only criteria for a sexual relationship being that the relationship is loving.

Question 4

What are the Buddhist attitudes to homosexuality?

Answer 4

The Buddha did not give teachings related to same-sex relationships. Most Buddhists say that the rules about sex do not vary depending on the orientation of the relationship. However, some predominantly buddhist countries do not condone it.

Question 5

What are the similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian attitudes to homosexuality?

Answer 5

Buddhists have no rules about homosexuality and allow it as long as it exists in conjunction with their other attitudes to relationships while some christians do not allow same sex marriage or child bearing.

Question 6

What is the purpose of marriage for Buddhists?

Answer 6

Buddhists do not see marriage as a sacred act, and have no rules concerning it. Therefore they believe that marriage is just a choice for the couple to make.

Question 7

Purpose of marriage : similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian beliefs.

Answer 7

Similarity - Both religions think that marriage should happen as an expression of love.
Difference - Marriage is a sacred act for Christians that occurs for the reason of reproduction and must happen for the couple to have a sexual relationship.

Question 8

What are Buddhist attitudes to sex before marriage?

Answer 8

There are no restrictions on buddhists about having sex before marriage or outside of it.

Question 9

Sex before marriage : similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian beliefs.

Answer 9

Similarity - Buddhists and liberal christians both believe that pre marital is acceptable.
Differences - Buddhists have no rules on the subject while Christians do not condone it under certain circumstances or don’t condone it at all.

Question 10

What are Buddhist attitudes towards adultery?

Answer 10

Most Buddhists would regard adultery as unskilful, because it generally involves dishonesty, and does not show kindness towards or awareness of the feelings of the person being cheated on.

Question 11

Adultery: Similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian beliefs

Answer 11

Similarity - Adultery is not allowed
Difference - Buddhists may be adulterous but it is frowned upon because it does comply with Buddhist ideas about compassion.

Question 12

What are Buddhist attitudes to same-sex marriage?

Answer 12

Buddhist teachings are not against same-sex marriage, and traditional Buddhist cultures that might have condemned same sex marriage some years ago now seem to be changing slowly.

Question 13

Same sex marriage: similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian beliefs.

Answer 13

Similarity: At one point, both religions did not condone same-sex marriage
Difference: There are no specific rules concerning same sex marriage in the Buddhist religion.

Question 14

What are Buddhist attitudes towards contraception and family planning?

Answer 14

Contraception is allowed but abortifacients are frowned upon.

Question 15

Contraception: Similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian beliefs.

Answer 15

Similarity: Abortifacients are not allowed.
Difference: Some christians do not allow any contraception.

Question 16

What are Buddhist attitudes towards divorce?

Answer 16

Buddhism allows divorce but also believes that if people follow the Buddhist principles then they will not require one.

Question 17

Divorce: Similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian beliefs.

Answer 17

Similarity: Both religions think that marriages should be worked out and that if done right, divorces should never be required.
Difference: Buddhism has no rules against divorce while some forms of christianity does.