What is Buddhism's position on LGBT+ in Thailand?

Thai Buddhism's position on new gender and sexuality norms put forward by the LGBT+ community.

We have long lived in a binary world where sex and gender are divided into two: female and male.

But according to the three traditional sacred Buddhist scriptures of the Tripitaka, sexuality can be divided into four categories: feminine, masculine, ubhatobyañjanaka and paṇḍaka.

There is no need to explain what feminine and masculine are, as we all learn to adapt to one of these two terms socially.

We also generally learn to follow the norms and roles expected by the gender we have been assigned.

But, the definitions of ubhatobyañjanaka and paṇḍaka cannot be translated into the categories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual ( LGBTQIA+ ) as we understand them in a modern context.

So what do ubhatobyañjanaka and paṇḍaka mean?

Monk in an ancient temple.

Before explaining, it should be noted that many parts of the Vinaya (the Vinaya Pitaka is the smallest and oldest part of the Tripitaka that governs monastic life) were incorporated after the time of Gautama Buddha and are not his original words.

See: The Life and Teachings of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama

These monastic rules were added to ensure discipline within the community.

Ubhatobyañjanaka means intersex, a person with both binary sexes or genders.

Whereas the definition of intersex in LGBTQIA+ is having genitals, chromosomes, or reproductive organs that do not fit into the two boxes of female or male.

According to the book “Through the Yellow Door Ordination of Gender Non-Conforming People in Buddhist Vinaya” written by Ven Vimala in 2021:

“The ubhatobyañjanaka woman is a person who acts like a man, obliterating feminine characteristics and showing masculine characteristics.

Conversely, the ubhatobyañjanaka man enters the state of a woman, hiding the masculine characteristics and showing the feminine characteristics.

Some scholars have different interpretations, with one describing ubhatobyañjanaka as a person with both female and male genitalia who can have sexual relations with both women and men.

One scholar claims this refers to transgender people.

While some beliefs consider being LGBTQ+ a lifestyle choice, Thai Buddhism often considers being LGBTQI+ to be predetermined before birth.

A research study by Phra Kusol Subhanetto, Phrakhrusamu Thanawit Athisilo and Phramaha Suwat Suvaddhano titled "Homosexuality: An Analysis Based on Buddhist Ethical Principles" notes:

"In Thai Buddhist ethical beliefs, homosexuality is due to the violation of the third of the Five Precepts, which deals with sexual misconduct by deceiving women or using the advantage of being a man to torment them."

However, research also indicates that being LGBTQIA+ is not in itself a sin and that anyone who identifies as such can practice dhamma and achieve enlightenment.

However, homosexuality is not mentioned in the Tripitaka except very briefly.

We interviewed a monk who, before his ordination, identified as homosexual.

He prefers to keep his identity and how he currently identifies private.

In this article, we just call him "the monk."

“The Tripitaka barely mentions LGBTQI+.

Very little is written, and only about ordination.

Buddha did not say much about their social context.

Because all sexual identities allow you to reach the state of enlightenment […], Buddhism does not discriminate against you because of your sexuality.

In monasticism, however, you must get rid of emotions such as love, greed, anger, infatuation (self-gratification), and sexual desire.

Sexual relations between monks, between monks and humans, and between monks and non-humans are prohibited.

The monk explained to us that ubhatobyañjanaka and paṇḍaka were not originally forbidden.

He referred to a story from the Vinaya where a paṇḍaka monk asked other monks and novices to have sexual relations with him.

Rejected by them, he ended up having sexual relations with the people in charge of looking after the elephants and horses.

He was criticized for his actions, and other monks told Buddha that paṇḍaka should not be allowed to ordain and that those who had already entered the monastery should be expelled.

“No matter how feminine you want to be, how much you want breasts or whatever, if you are a monk, you have to control yourself.

It's a matter of knowing where and when.

And monasticism is about being admirable and venerable, today as yesterday,” the monk said.

We asked him if he had ever experienced discrimination as a monk who identified as gay.

“Just a little bit by old monks who are very old.

But it's understandable because of generational differences, so I let it go."

The monk described the experience as "sarcasm, but not intimidation," without elaborating.

Phrakrupaladsuwatsarakun or Suchart monk of Suthat Thepwararam Temple in Bangkok, who identifies as heterosexual, explains that it is considered inappropriate to act in a feminine manner:

“Acting in a feminine manner is not an Apatti (section of the Vinaya Tipaka on transgression of disciplines and penalty, meaning sin or fault).

There is no Apatti that prohibits you from acting feminine.

But before your ordination, the senior monk will ask you if you are a man and you will have to answer in the affirmative.

Even if you are homosexual, you can be ordained if you have a man's body."

Suchart also discussed the story of the homosexual monk and the horse and elephant keepers and explained that feminine action is not Apatti per se but can be linked to seductive or lascivious action which is Apatti.

"That's why people have avoided this practice as a norm and not as a regulation.

Buddha once said that his religion was about getting rid of sins and lust.

He was just and impartial, because lust has no gender.

If it manifests itself, it must be gotten rid of.

Men and homosexuals must all follow the same disciplines.

If you have sexual intercourse, it is pārājika.

In my experience, two or three out of ten monks are homosexual, but in my twenty years of monastic life, those I know have never behaved inappropriately, even though, of course, it does exist; I have read about it in the newspapers.

I have never seen discrimination among monks, but rather from outsiders, such as academics, who criticize them.

We find that homosexual monks are good at flower arranging, and in rural areas, monks and people generally have good relationships.

These monks helping to arrange flowers in people's homes for ceremonies.

But to outsiders, this may be seen as inappropriate.”

Bhat Ketcharak, nicknamed “Kla,” an LGBTQIA+ Buddhist who regularly practices dhamma, shared his experience within the Buddhist community.

“I practice the dhamma, I myself was a monk.

I have never been a victim of any form of discrimination.

“No one thinks of me as weird or different,” said Kla, who was raised in a practicing Buddhist family.

At one point he strayed from Buddhism, he admits, but a heartbreak brought him back to the Buddha.

“There are many LGBTQIIA+ people of all ages who practice dhamma, all of them are successful in their lives, but what they lack is love.

The practice of dhamma teaches you that the best love is self-love.”

Although many people in the Buddhist community claim not to face discrimination, not all LGBTQIA+ or ubhatobyañjanaka and paṇḍaka can be ordained.

The first two (āsitta-paṇḍaka and usūya-paṇḍaka) can be ordained if they can show that they are physically male and agree to renounce feminine gestures upon becoming a monk.

Pakkha-paṇḍaka can also be ordained, but only if they identify themselves as paṇḍaka, while the latter two, opakkamika-paṇḍaka and napuṃsaka-paṇḍaka cannot be ordained.

Ordination as a novice is permitted for ubhatobyañjanak, novice orientation, but full ordination is not.

The reason given in the Vinaya is that ubhatobyañjanaka and paṇḍaka require monks and novices to have sexual relations with them and therefore should not be allowed to ordain in order to protect the religion.

Buddhism therefore seems to focus more on physical characteristics.

If you can prove that you have the physical appearance of a man, you can be ordained.

According to the monk, this is related to physical disability, because in Buddhism, people with disabilities cannot be ordained, as disabilities are considered a struggle in monasticism.

However, they can reach the state of awakening.

“There is no difference in how women, men, or LGBTQIA+ people should behave.

Buddhism simply wants to show the truth.

LGBTQIA+ is also part of the truth, it is a normal thing and not abnormal.

“That’s why the Buddha didn’t speak specifically about LGBTQIA+,” Suchard said.

See also:

The fusion of religious beliefs in Thailand: Buddhism, animism and Brahmanism

The Incredible Story of the Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit in Bangkok

Dos and Don'ts When Visiting a Buddhist Temple in Thailand

Thailand: Family claims their son is the reincarnation of Buddha's son

Former Buddhist monk-turned-transvestite's fortune intrigues Thais

Source: The Nation Thailand