[Buddha-l] Re: Rational or mythological Buddhism and Western Buddhist lay practice

[Mikael Aktor]

Richard P. Hayes wrote:

>On Fri, 2005-03-25 at 17:53 +0100, Mikael Aktor wrote:
>
>  
>
>>OK, if we talk about celibacy. But what is demanded is sexual abstinence 
>>in all forms (of which quite a lot have nothing to do with reproduction).
>>    
>>
>
>A huge number of rules in the Buddhist vinaya are driven by
>considerations of what is seemly or socially acceptable. Having sexual
>relations with trees (which is actually forbidden) was banned because
>the people who supported the monastic community with alms were likely to
>look with disfavor upon monks humping trees. People were very prudish in
>those days. 
>  
>

Wouldn't it be a much simpler (and more straightforward) answer to say 
that sexual abstinence is demanded because monks are supposed to conquer 
the desire for sex? Or do you actually mean that these rules have 
nothing to do with desire?

regards,
mikael



-- 
Mikael Aktor, Assistant Lecturer, PhD
Department of Religious Studies
University of Southern Denmark
Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark

Phone +45 6550 3318 / +45 3696 9054
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