sexual ethics and death (moral, mystic, Buddhism, abortion, sex)

[+Xausted]

Originally Posted by UltraViolet

I'm not completely sure I understand, but...

How about open communication about sexuality
with teens.
Realistic information, like how much income
is necessary to raise how many children,
and what kinds of jobs, and how many of them
are necessary to raise them in a suitable enviornment.
Advice like that might help keep them from making big mistakes.
When life is overly stressful and difficult it can kill a person's spirit,
and kill their love and happiness. (don't know if that counts)

Also, "sanctioning" masturbation to teens
(which certain religions ban by hellfire)
giving them permission to feel okay about it,
so they have a personal outlet and comfort with their own sexuality.
Might help prevent them from entering into risky relationships
before they are of age to handle such big decision making.

ok. I tried. Do I get frubals for trying?

of course i will frubel you for trying. i always like those that try
but unfortunalty it doesnt relate to refraining from killing / substaining life, as such.but i do like your interpratation of it. maybe you could start a thread about the relationship between religion sex and teenagers....could be really interesting
the link between the two does seem tenious i know, but it is there....
hugs

[+Xausted]

ok. I tried. Do I get frubals for trying?[/quote]
ha ha ha, you are such a frubel whore....and i am such a soft touch for anyone that is nice to me

[UltraViolet]

If you go back and re-read my post,
you will see I edited it just a bit.

It might make a difference.

[+Xausted]

Originally Posted by UltraViolet

If you go back and re-read my post,
you will see I edited it just a bit.

It might make a difference.

it does...thankyou. i will turn you all here into theologians yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[UltraViolet]

ok, what about this one...

the severly abused woman
who doesn't leave her abuser
putting both herself and her kids
at SERIOUS risk of harm/even death
because she's so needy of the sex partnership.

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by +Xausted

the title is ..."comment on the implications of the first precept".
this has to be done with regards the 5 main ethical concerns.
i agree that they are the two main ones, i just feel that i am missing something deeper than i can see at the moment.
i have related it to the Noble Eight Fold Path with reference to mindfulness, action and intention.
do you think i am missing anything else?

OK. How about selflessness in giving to your partner rather than using sex as a means to possess them? Obviously, this was touched upon in the subject of rape, but I think it is applicable to being a good lover.

In this way, as Violet perhaps intimated (at least this is what I get from her), you aren't "killing" your partner's spirit and holding them emotionally hostage.

You also must be clear on what your partner wants in the relationship, and if it is monogamy, seeking partners sexually outside of the relationship is damaging, hurtful, and deceitful if you're undermining his or her trust. How this pertains to the First Precept of taking life, I'm still not quite sure.

Overall.....sexual misconduct is taboo for Buddhists because the goal is to bolster the integrity of our relationships as a whole. Sex is an avenue to intimacy - not the only avenue, but a powerful one at that - and the ability to maintain our integrity surrounding our sexuality can be tied to how we authentically relate to others intimately.

On a personal note, I find it sad when I see homophobia remain alive and well in a few Buddhist circles because of the interpretation of this very precept. Sometimes, I just want to pinch their noses...........homosexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality are all under the same umbrella of sexual urges and attachments.

I don't know if this has helped any, Jayne. Good luck with your writing!




Peace,
Mystic

[+Xausted]

[quote=MysticSang'ha;1125069]OK. How about selflessness in giving to your partner rather than using sex as a means to possess them? Obviously, this was touched upon in the subject of rape, but I think it is applicable to being a good lover.

In this way, as Violet perhaps intimated (at least this is what I get from her), you aren't "killing" your partner's spirit and holding them emotionally hostage.

You also must be clear on what your partner wants in the relationship, and if it is monogamy, seeking partners sexually outside of the relationship is damaging, hurtful, and deceitful if you're undermining his or her trust. How this pertains to the First Precept of taking life, I'm still not quite sure.

Overall.....sexual misconduct is taboo for Buddhists because the goal is to bolster the integrity of our relationships as a whole. Sex is an avenue to intimacy - not the only avenue, but a powerful one at that - and the ability to maintain our integrity surrounding our sexuality can be tied to how we authentically relate to others intimately.

On a personal note, I find it sad when I see homophobia remain alive and well in a few Buddhist circles because of the interpretation of this very precept. Sometimes, I just want to pinch their noses...........homosexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality are all under the same umbrella of sexual urges and attachments.

I don't know if this has helped any, Jayne. Good luck with your writing!


bit off subject, but fancy going with it since its my thread......
i understand that there are differing rules for lay and monastic, in that monastic buddhism does not extole sexual relations, since it reinforces attachment. and that the Middle Way allows differing degrees of disiplines
but for you PERSONNALLY can you justify a sexual relationship IF it 'got in the way' of your religion/faith/beliefs?


this is just a question that your post brought to mind, nothing to do with my studies


p.s thanks, yes, i think it maybe useful

[Scarlett Wampus]

All guidelines in the eight fold path are interdependent - supporting and encouraging each other. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. So, when looking at something like Right Action it isn't just a case of following simplistic ethical rules, its about becoming a more ethically aware and responsible person in general for the sake of all sentient beings.

Abortion can of course relate to the first precept if one interprets an unborn child as a life (hard not to, but that's another topic) yet awareness & responsibility of the wider social/cultural spheres also factors in. Do we live in communities that provide excellent sex-education so that people do not become pregnant out of ignorance? Do we live in communities where underlying attitudes towards sex are harmful in that people are more likely to have sex irresponsibly out of denial or rebellion? Do we live in communities that support motherhood in such a way that potential mothers-to-be won't feel that their lives and/or the life of their baby will be of a poor standard if they have one?