Whats the Buddhist stance on the subject of sexuality and sexual orientation?
Buddhist teaching about sexuality is ethical, not proscriptive: how is sexuality used so as to help, and not to harm? From a Buddhist point of view, gender distinction in issues of sexuality is unimportant. Its the intention that matters, and not sexual orientation or sexual practices per se. Ordained monks and nuns are expected to practice celibacy in most Buddhist traditions, although not all (Zen is a notable example.) During meditation retreats, virtually all traditions require complete celibacy for laypersons and monastics alike. It has been my experience that individual Buddhists may well be heir to the prejudices of their own cultures. Therefore certain biases may make themselves felt. This is especially true in those cultures which have been strongly patriarchal or hierarchic in nature (the culture of Tibet is one such example). However, the Dharma does not take sides on any issues of human sexuality.
