www.religioustolerance.org/hom_budd.htm

<<<Comments by the Dalai Lama:

The Dalai Lama is the leader of the Tibetan people and is revered by millions of Buddhists worldwide. At a press conference in 1997-JUN, he commented: "From a Buddhist point of view [lesbian and gay sex]...is generally considered sexual misconduct".

This belief is not based on the partners being of the same gender. In his book "Beyond Dogma," he has written that "homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact." Tibetan Buddhism prohibits oral, manual and anal sex for everyone - both homosexuals and heterosexuals. However, these restrictions refer only to members of the Buddhist faith. 4 From "society's viewpoint," same-sex relations can be "of mutual benefit, enjoyable and harmless." He supports human rights "regardless of sexual orientation."

At a subsequent meeting with gay and lesbian representatives, he expressed the "willingness to consider the possibility that some of the teachings may be specific to a particular cultural and historic context." Dawa Tsering, spokesperson for the Office of Tibet commented: "His Holiness opposes violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation. He urges respect, tolerance, compassion and the full recognition of human rights for all." 5

An article in Newsweek stated that "Although he has affirmed the dignity and rights of gays and lesbians, he has condemned homosexual acts as contrary to Buddhist ethics." 8

The Dalai Lama was interviewed by CBC News at the time of his visit to Canada during 2007-NOV. Near the end of his interview he was asked whether Buddhism condones love between two men or two women. He replied that Buddhists reject this. Genuine Buddhist practitioners, like Christians, condemn same-sex behavior as sexual misconduct. "So, [it is] not permissible, not allowed." 11

His understanding of Christian views on homosexuality appears to be in error. While conservative Christians generally consider all same-sex behavior to be sexual misconduct, most liberal and some mainline Christians accept same-sex behavior between persons in a loving, committed relationship to be life-affirming and moral.

The CBC web site published 77 comments by listeners. Many touched upon his homosexual comments. One was posted on 2007-NOV-05 at 12:18 AM by a Buddhist couple David and Luc Chateauneuf-Kurzer

"The Dalai Lama's comments on same-sex love could be considered by some to be taken out of context. However, the words he used are very familiar to us and simply represent an outmoded form of exclusion that is common to most religions. We would suggest that he continues to talk the 'party line' rather than evolve Buddhism's view of non-heterosexual love. Some would say that Buddhism has no place in the bedroom. We would then respond that any comment on sexuality is inappropriate. Either way, social justice for Buddhist gays and lesbians is not encouraged by the words captured in his interview. And social justice is so much of what His Holiness advocates. This does not stop us from following the Buddhist path because we are used to mainstream religious exclusion. It is part of our spiritual path to change that by being ourselves wherever we go. And in our fourteen years together, that is exactly what we have done. So we will continue our work to further the cause for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Buddhists."<<<<


I found this interesting. NOw I like me some Dalai Lama, but it was kind of refreshing to find something I could disagree with him about.

ANyway, posted and snipped out for your own musing upon.

i think i could probably live w/out noodles.
but, yeah, they are pretty good w/alfredo sauce.
ok, the truth is i have a weakness for fettucine (sp?) alfredo. a major weakness. i could eat that shit all day every day.
so i guess maybe i couldn't live w/out noodles.
wow, it looks like this thread actually provoked a realization in me.
thanks, sam.

Just for a different spin on sexuality a la the Dalai Lama, there was of course the 6th Dalai Lama, who "enjoyed a lifestyle that included drinking, the company of women, and writing love songs...":

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsan...Dalai_Lama

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-...4073630.stm