Celibacy
Clerical celibacy is an important trait of Buddhism, and celibacy hasalso been mandated for various periods in the lives of many followers ofdifferent Eastern religions. To the Western mind that associates clericalcelibacy with conceptions of sex-as-original-sin or of the priest as wed toChrist, these trends may seem strange when divorced from a Christiansetting. Our preoccupation with sex that exists in secular society may alsomake celibacy seem odd. However, it is important to approach Easternconceptions of celibacy on their own terms, apart from Western traditions.In Eastern thought, celibacy can be seen as life affirming rather than life-denying, a way of preserving vital personal integrity and transcendingphysical needs to reach higher spiritual planes. According to the primary source presented, celibacy was also adifficult sell to the early Chinese Buddhist church. The earlier Chinesereligion was based in ancestral worship. Ancestor worship implies a duty tocontinue the line of one's family and to create descendants in turn so thatthe cycle of life can remain unbroken. This puts primary religious focus onthe community and the family, and in such a context lifelong celibacy would
This stillness allows one access the real nature of thedivine, which is beyond the world rather than in it. Certainly, for the laymen both religions do suggest such moderation, andthis is more than can be said for certain historical branches of Westernthought. It seems that the Western focus onphysicality may be in something of an overdrive state, but that therenunciation of the world that seems to accompany monastic Buddhism is alsoextreme. However, both seemto suggest that the monastic should be farther away from the physical asthey are closer to the purely spiritual. So Buddhism can askwhat to an animist would be nonsensical: "of life and property, which isworth more'. Whileperiodic celibacy (whether before marriage or for specified times withinthe marriage relationship) were probably practiced and taught, celibacy asa lifelong practice or virtue makes no sense within a communal religionthat adheres to ancestor worship and the great cycle. " An animist wouldsuggest that one can have neither goodness nor wisdom if one does not havethem within the physical realm, and that children and relationships arepart of that goodness. Sex does prove physically challenging and may weaken theindividual to some degree, according to the medical theories of the past. Personally, I do not agree with clerical celibacy. So one who was destined for a live of contemplation rather than a life ofaction would do better to retain his essence and his physical integrity andput aside worldly concerns altogether. Animism and respect for physical life in terms ofone's ancestors and descendants seems more important than respect fornonphysical life that comes from denying sensation and desire. a physical denial of the duties of the individual to procreate.
Common topics in this essay:
Additionally Buddhism,
Western Loving,
Chinese Buddhist,
,
Reality Buddhism,
Buddhist Confucian,
clerical celibacy,
ultimate reality,
ancestor worship,
physical world,
beyond world,
physical realm,
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Acceptance Essays
