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

[Stuart Lachs]

Richard wrote:
>
> 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.

Some years ago I heard Jan Natier give a wonderful talk on some of the
sexual concerns of the Buddhist vinaya. I don't remember looking with
disfavor "upon monks humping trees" but animals, skulls, and dead people
were definitely out.
There was a real concern about "what having sex meant?"
>
> -- 
> Richard Hayes
> Department of Philosophy
> University of New Mexico
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