Expert: Justin Choo - 1/18/2011

Question
Hi Justin,

I am a fellow Theravada Buddhist practitioner, and I have a few questions.

1) According to Theravada Buddhism, there is no stigma in regards to homosexual practices, but in Mahayana Buddhism (from my internet research) it is said that homosexuality is wrong and punishable in hell.
Does this stem from the Chinese society's stigma against homosexuals? And does any of Buddha's scripture mention anything about homosexuality?

2)I have a friend who was a Buddhist and recently converted to Muslim because she could not find the answer to who created the world and earth, she was not satisfied with the answer of the world is a cycle and it come and goes. Hence, I am curious, what do Buddhist think of the Creator God and does he really exist in the heavenly realm?

3) Where do practitioner of other monotheistic religion go to in afterlife? Do they really enter the kingdom of heaven as profess by their religious  book?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Jackson Yeoh,

1) Frankly, my personal opinion is that humans are just being hypocrites, especially anything to do with sex.  I think it is a convenient avenue to reduce their feeling of guilt by condemning others.  Buddhism is about living in peace and contentment.  Whether a person is a homosexual or not, has nothing to do with living a peaceful and harmless life. I don't think the Buddha had made any comment on this.  But one thing I am sure, Buddhism does not condemn anyone with different sexual tendencies.

2)You mean she is now satisfied with the answer just because some books say God created the world?  Then let it be.  As you mentioned that you are a Theravada Buddhist, then I assume you know that Buddhists do not subscribe to the existence of a powerful creator god.     

3) The universal law rules supreme, whoever you are or what you choose to believe.  Good begets good; and bad begets bad.  Again, what others choose to believe is their own business.  Buddhists believe that there are other rhealms of existence, and there is this concept of rebirth.  Rebirth takes place in accordance with the universal law of cause and effect.  There are heavenly rhealms where existence has little or no sorrow, and lifespan is very very long.  But in the end, the being would still have to die and reborn.

You may like to read this explanation in the site below:
http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=176

Take care.

Justin Choo