Gay Marriage, Why Not? | by Ajahn Brahm 

im a Buddhist and im gay, i am happy where i stand im proud to be supported by my loving family and being myself with a view that its a loud with me im happy

I'm Buddhist and a die hard supporter of equal rights obviously including gay rights. I'm not gay but that doesn't mean im a bigot. Buddhist non bigoted and proud of it

Finally a religion that THINKS the way I do! thinking, logic, compassion... what more can one ask for?

Can't be more correct. So glad to see wise Buddhist monks like this

I'm a Buddhist and I'm an LGBTQ supporter to the core. I did my personal research on this topic and proved it too, but this video is AMAyzin and it's true. This is amazing.

everyone against gay marriage 💑 needs to watch this

Isn't it better for two people of the same sex to be loving each other, than having two people of different religions hating each other. Make love not war. And no, I'm not gay.

"The truth is in your heart, the books are supposed to teach you how to find that truth". This sums up my experience of learning Buddhism so far. Really powerful! Thank you so much Ajahm Brahmavamso.

I am an atheist but this man speaks more sense than most If there is a true religion I hope it's Buddhism

Love existed long before Buddhism, long before Christianity, it has always been in the world, the gift of one person loving another person, whether male to male or female to female or male to female or however the mix goes. A human loves a human. Religions have in many ways brought much pain into this arena, rules and laws, made by..... for the human community. So, let us return back to love loving love, let us move away from the rules of this and that, let us return to the true spirituality of union.

I myself am Buddhist and gay. In our community we even have an LGBTQ+ group.

I really wish this monk comes to Sri Lanka and give a talk on this topic. Because, here in Sri Lanka, real true Buddhism is not mainstream, and even some people present Buddhism as a reason oppose homosexuality. Little do they know, the law that criminalize homosexual activities, were introduced by the British colonials, based on a biblical law call 'sodomy'.

Wow! Finally a monk for the 21st Century. Sadhu ! Sadhu ! Sadhu !

This was so amazing.♥ Thank you so much for sharing this beyond-beautiful talk. :) I feel so uplifted & expanded. Agree, agree, agree. Gassho.

What a lovely talk , I am gay and it's refreshing to hear words of acceptance and love ,instead of hate and discrimmination . Thank you, Ajahm Brahmavamso.

As a proud ally... I love this so much... one of the many reasons why I LOVE my religion so much... we understand and we believe that love is love....

Yay equality for everybody! :) love and compassion is unconditional, so its impossible for someone to believe in this Buddhist principle and not support gay rights!

It's great to hear him speak with that gentle and kind of naughty humor. It gives me both laughs and make me feel good while i take a sip out of the buddhist view.

What a wonderful and compassionate talk. Thank you Ajahn Brahm.

I think everyone mistook and took certain concepts and text out of context. Compassion means live and let live. Its their life their choice just dont discriminate. To me DISCRIMINATION is bullying. We just open our hearts and let them be. We just love them as fellow human beings trying to live their life.. why add to their suffering, why be a perpetrator? I agree with Ahjan. Dont discriminate. Just let them be..

Ajahn Brahm, thank you for your wisdom and compassion!!!

This is the most reasonable, the most charitable and the most inspiring "talk" I've heard on this subject from any Leader, political or religious. Bravo Brahm!

I'm a Theravada Buddhist, the earliest Buddhism branch, although I agree with your point on this video, I'd point out that Buddhism isn't really a "Religion" itself, but rather a "Philosophy" of Life. There is no "true" religion. I have been a monk twice and my teachers explained to me, that everyone can think rational, regardless of their "religion". Buddhism is not about punishing blasphemers. It's about self-responsibility, self-control and tolerance. Anyhow, this video was most educational

What a wonderful, wonderful speech! Thank You!

This man is just so beautiful

*I really really lucky that I born lesbian and also Buddhism. Buddha is accept love and hate so we can learn what is love and what is hate then he taught us there's different between love and hate.*

In Srilanka We don't have freedom. I'm 18 . I just wanna leave in australia with my partner who is the same age as mine. We both are buddihists. 😥

That was great once again Ajahn Brahm...thanks..

Does anyone know more about this debate that her referenced? I searched around for anything related to the House of Lords and Christmas Humphreys debate on whether Buddhism is a religion, and cannot find anything.

Just an exquisitely beautiful talk. Thank you so very much.

wow this is so awesome and important thanks for sharing your knowledge.

He has such good humor and love for others ❤. "by love alone do they change " Damma Pada ( near the beginning)

Thank you for sharing this teaching; it has touched my heart and helped to heal the wounds left there by misguided religiosity.

What I adore about Ajahn Brahm is his truthfulness & having the strength & courage to speak it as the Bodhisattva that he is! I prostrate to you dear monk! OM MANE PADME HUM HUM HUM!

Im a buddhist and Im really proud of it not like muslim always talk shit about the lgbt community and im really pissed , i just came from a video called yoni and eilay gay marriage and there is so many hate comment from muslim like i dont understand whats wrong for loving each other i just lost all the respect for muslim. If you dont believe me you can search it up.

Very inspiring talk....truly an eye-opener.....

Jesus himself does not discuss marriage between men and men or women and women. Yes, he did attend a Wedding feast. I am sure that if he was invited to a Same Sex marriage today, he would come, perform a miracle, sing, dance and love. For Jesus is Love. Love is Jesus.

I hope Buddhist leaders in Asia could think more like this... In Indonesia, some Buddhist organization condemned LGBT people without any basic teaching of the Buddha and some monks even suggested that gay people should repressed their identity because the majority of people don't accept them. Buddhist in Asia is still pretty homophobic, eventhough the teaching itself says nothing against it.

This is the talk of Truth 👏👏👏 may you be blessed 😇

Very powerfull teaching. I hope Ajahn brahm will teach in china also.

26th Century for Buddhist

Enlightening and engaging. what more could one ask for....?

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa! :D

Wonderful talk!

Proof that religious people can talk sense on same sex relationships, and sex in general. Thank Buddha for this monk!

I switched the speed to 1.5 and it sounded like he was talking at a normal pace.

How can one join a live webcast?

I think maybe in the past the Buddhist din't see with good eyes homosexuality but not because of the religion it was most the society mentality. My understanding of the buddha teaching is to stop suffering and don't hurt people and animals, if two people want to have sex if fine as longer they both agreed and don't hurt anybody ( therefore if you have sexual relation with a person who is marriage or involved emotionally with other person is not accepted because you can hurt the third person, the same applied if you have sexual relationships with children and animals) . I think like most religions people and spiritual leaders has been added things as society progress. All religions are based in one principle kind an goodness, lest try to follow that

5:00 from the time of the Buddha Which Buddha?

Enjoyed this - may I recommend an amazing new book titled Ztingar. What it contains will affect the way you look at life - in a very good way...

I am so glad to hear Ajahn say it is ok to be gay.I am not gay but that really does not matter.The world needs to hear it so maybe they could worry about something that matters.Ajahn you are what a Buddhist should be.

This man's lovely. And brilliant. Would that there were a million more of him.

Um, I love you and stuff. Ocean of Reasoning is my bible! Namaste!

clrsky58 The key here is marriage based on CONSENTING ADULTS. Animals, children, etc do not fit within this formula.

Someone from Indonesia n enjoy listen to ajahn's preach lets be friends!

First, when it comes to marriage, Buddhism is agnostic, because it is traditionally a private and civil affair. Monks don't even perform marriage ceremonies. Secondly, the suttas do talk about relationships and marriage and the Buddha goes into detail what the responsibilities of the husband and the wife. Notice the gender distinction. Thirdly, the Buddha said not to obsess about gender identity, and gay marriage is about gay identity politics.

Fav monk lol... anyone from indonesia?

I never thought words in my mind From Yung gae was word's of Buddaism very beautiful speak👍as some one who live in Iran i really know concept of pay but i try to be happy all time how i like and way i like💗💗

A certain blessed rebirth,Mum Hazel Betts🌼💐🌺🌻🌹🌸🌷🍁

I am really proud about this conversation. As a Buddhist and as a supportive of gay marriage. But I have one question today. One of my friend gave really harsh answer yesterday. "He said that mother nature needs more babies. Not love and anything related. He also said if two men or two women get married life then they are doing a big sin to themselves." I am 100% not agreeing with him because I believe marriage is more spiritual than just having babies. So could you please give me an answer to this matter.?

Buddhism teaches us about the three marks of existence. Change or impermanence is a constant (anicca). NOTHING is unchanging or eternal. The "I" that perceives this change is merely a composite of causes and conditions. Therefore, Buddhism teaches that there is no self (anatta). We suffer (dukkha) because we fail to understand that things change when we attach to them.

I listened to 3 Buddhist monks so far. One says, it’s not a crime but it is unethical and non virtue. Dalai Lama now said that it’s okay. Ajahm Brahm is saying that spiritual marriage is needed in all marriages including homosexual and that we are not going to judge.

I am NOT a gay. On this matter, I respect Mr. Monk. I may not agree with him on this topic as I am still very tradition and have biased mindset. I still respect and love him. Certainly, he is allowed to have different opinions and views from me. He told us that we must think for ourselves and should not jus accept all things from him. Mr. Monk, thank you very much for the talk.

ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY FROM DAY ONE BUDDHISM

Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence, the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that is now, ever was and ever will be, right down to the minutest particles of dust, each being an individual ripple or wave. The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. On the subject of ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes better sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the same state of enlightenment that exists within each of us Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter. I think that the vast amount of information that’s continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves today gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist. For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects, including instant global awareness of something or mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or even to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars. However, none of this is possible without a receiver to decode the information that is transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else that exists indeed is. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach into the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because the sound vibration of ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents the combination of the three major laws that underlie all existence. To break it down, Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. The state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists. It includes our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them, our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant, our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma, and more importantly, our enlightenment. The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory, whenever we experience or express our emotions, or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing. The second law, Renge, Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho. These two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously, but also underlie all spiritual and physical existence. The final and third part of the tri-combination, Kyo, is the Law which allows Myoho to integrate with Renge. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter, as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication. Perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists. Just as our body cells, thoughts, feelings and everything else are continually fluctuating within us, all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux, controlled by these three fundamental laws. More things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. It doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’. These three laws are also the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day and night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation, rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu, which both mean the same thing, are passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’. On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives and the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives. Even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances and turn them into positive ones, or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our good karma. That’s because we’re able to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are, regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect, so the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on determination, sincerity and dedication. The levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, or producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important always to respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything. NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result from any noise or sound that triggers off a mood or even instantly changes one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, you are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to your true inner-self; this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things, such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things in a conventional way, which isn’t always easy but certainly possible. Rather than reaching out to an external source, you need to reach into your own life and bring your needs and desires to fruition from within, including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that you may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws you towards, or draws towards you, what you need to make you happy from your environment. For example, it helps you to be in the right place at the right time and make better choices and decisions and so forth. Think of it as a seed within you that you are watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything that we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us. ( This piece is from a new book titled - Saved By The BUDDHA WITHIN - Tommy Beaumont) available at amazonbooks.com www.amazon.com/Saved-BUDDHA-WITHIN-Tom-Bird/dp/0648593835/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=saved+by+the+Buddha+within&qid=1574461201&s=books&sr=1-1 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6CZ0XJqWRr4.html OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN sings about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

As someone who majored in religious studies I can tell you that Buddhism is considered a world religion. It is, however, quite different from the monotheistic religions in that Buddhism does not subscribe to a Magic Sky Daddy or what you would call god. That said, Buddhism is not dogmatic and encourages adherents to investigate things for themselves. Also, you are incorrect on the Oxford definition, or just picked out the parts that support what you want to believe.

There're some theories in Buddhism that really a summary theory or relate to science especially univers

These monks are increddible 😌

Remember about the idea of the container vs the content by ajahn brahm. refrain from going into an online spat, dear fellow humans. different views should also be respected though not each can choose to agree or disagree. the different views also resemble the uniqueness of the different trees in a forest that ajahn brahm mentioned in this video. =) Thanks ajahn brahm for giving me a peaceful sunday.

deep...

The joke is at 35:24....it's long

Too often a reputation does not live up to reality. You're the exception that proves the rule.

While the Buddha did not specifically promote gay marriage, neither did he criticize about it. In fact, for lay people, the Buddha didn't specifically say that LGBT are "bad" or guilty of sexual misconduct. For monks, it is a different issue; LGBT can't be monks so as to preserve order in the Sangha, but not to discriminate. They can, however, practice as lay people. It is good to read sutta as well as to actively question and practice as Buddhism is experiential not dogmatic (see Kalama Sutta).

Why do some people use such sublime teachings to air their prejudices? Listen to the man!!!

actually the only thing that's said in the precepts is to not misuse sexuality. This can be interpreted as people see fit. If it's not harming others and you're open and honest with yourself and others, then there is nothing wrong with gettin' it on, self-love, or even loving someone of the same gender. When it comes down to it, It's all about respect and sincerity. Know what's best for you, karma acknowledged, and let everyone else sort out the rest for themselves.

Also, everyone should have the right to freely express his ideas even if they are offensive to others. Bashing homosexuality should continue to be an exercise of the right to freedom of speech regardless of how offensive it may be to others. As long as there is no PHYSICAL aggression involved, everyone should be able to speak their mind with total freedom.

***** If you say that it is discrimination if 2 same sex couple cannot get married, can I seek your opinion on the same sex trouple, or quartet or any other combination where individuals claim they are in a loving relationship and would like to get married. To legalise same sex marriage between couple, we should also open up that possibility to any other couples who wants to affirm their relationship officially. If not, aren't you also discriminating against all other relationships ? And that could include incest as well. What is the principle that you are using to support same sex marriage between 2 people ? Are you also supporting romance of all combinations ? Amitabha !

i respect this man

so beautiful...

Sadhu sadhu sadhu!

Like you say there is nothing mystical here. All this gentle man is saying from his own experience is that any one who practices "meditation" or u could say nurturing an intimate relationship of kindness & compassion with ones constant companion ones "Mind"; unquestionably our most enduring relationship will hv wonderful insights The insights he has garnered into this relationship helped him begin to see that all relationships require the same nurturing with kindness & compassion to confer peace

What I like is how people ignore that there's not a single Buddhist country, not even the most developed like Taiwan or Japan and definitely not a monarchic military junta like Ajahn Brahm's Thailand, that has homosexual marriage legalized.

Namo Buddhaya

The idea of procreation has not changed for those gay and straight couples who choose to procreate. Considering overpopulation, degradation of the environment, etc. it would actually be good for the state to encourage people to procreate less. Also, children of gay parents are just as well adjusted (perhaps more) as children of straight parents, so your inference is not clear. Whether or not you think this is desirable change is irrelevant to the duties of the state to apply laws equally.

From what i know inter-religion marriage always happen in Chinese community, for other race,they are hard or unable to accept it.

I think there are 2 things that need to be distinguished. One is the legality of gay marriage, which is a political issue. The second is tolerating gays & treating them with respect. The fact that some gay Buddhists are killing themselves over personal feelings of sexuality tells me that their faith in the Buddhist teachings was not very strong. The Buddhist would ask himself: Am I my feelings? Am I my sexuality? Am I my gender? The answer is simple: Are all conditioned things permanent? No

Refer to previous comment.

AN 10.176 PTS: A v 263 Cunda Kammaraputta Sutta: To Cunda the Silversmith translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu © 1997 ..."Cunda, the purification rites declared by the brahmans of the Western lands... are one thing; the purification in the discipline of the noble ones is something else entirely." "But how is there purification in the discipline of the noble ones, lord? It would be good if the Blessed One would teach me how there is purification in the discipline of the noble ones." "Then in that case, Cunda, listen & pay close attention. I will speak." "As you say, lord," Cunda the silversmith responded. The Blessed One said: "There are three ways in which one is made impure by bodily action, four ways in which one is made impure by verbal action, and three ways in which one is made impure by mental action. Unskillful Bodily Action "And how is one made impure in three ways by bodily action? There is the case where a certain person takes life, is a hunter, bloody-handed, devoted to killing & slaying, showing no mercy to living beings. He takes what is not given. He takes, in the manner of a thief, things in a village or a wilderness that belong to others and have not been given by them. He engages in sensual misconduct. He gets sexually involved with those who are protected by their mothers, their fathers, their brothers, their sisters, their relatives, or their Dhamma; those with husbands, those who entail punishments, or even those crowned with flowers by another man. This is how one is made impure in three ways by bodily action.

I'm currently doing research on finding a new religion (I'm done with Abrahamic religion) and this video was amazing for me. Using religion as a weapon is the number one thing I am scared of and it looks like I might have found something perfect in Buddism.

hay just love people don't judge them

It's kinda funny that he's saying "oh my God" when buddhists don't trust in any God:P

buddha said all humen are equale so i think gay mariage are ok with buddhism

Buddhism not a religion, not a philosophy... it is "the way things are".

Anything we do without informed mutual consent is a form of violence, otherwise none of the above causes any being to suffer unnecessarily.

Bringing up Baby (1938/ Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant) is the earliest example of gay in a homosexual context.

Read Nagarjuna's entire Mulamadhyamakakarika.

Come on man! What has the world come too. I agree governments should not discriminate nor should people discriminate, judge or be hateful. I myself use nature as my guide and I know in nature we need two polarities to create life, and union. This union cannot take place naturally without a male and female. This is nature and what nature teaches.

this is not only abut gay marriages but abut relationshp to life !

Buddist and lesbian here!☸️🏳️‍🌈

why cant we all just get along?