Buddhists/buddhism

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Expert: - 4/21/2009


Question
QUESTION: Hello,
Do Buddhists have sex? Why or why not?
Thanks,
Joey

ANSWER: Hi Joey,
Yes they do. Because it's only natural.
Some people (monks and nuns) vow to lead a celibate life for the sake of keeping it simple and concentrating on their studies and meditation.
All the best
AW

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do they have sex for fun or only for reproduction purposes? Of it is only for fun, then would that not be a desire?

Answer
As they are mostly ordinary humans, I'm sure they do it for both reasons.
Desire is not a problem - it is necessary for life, otherwise we wouldn't eat, drink, excrete, move, reproduce or perhaps even breathe! It's ignorantly clinging to or grasping at the objects of our desire (including the absence of things we don't like) that's a problem.
Best wishes
Alex W

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Alex Wilding

Expertise

I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

Experience

I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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