Reply #67: I have never heard nor read of the Lord Buddha condeming gays...

[Raster]

There are many schools, sects and subsects of Buddhism. As with Christianity, no consensus exists within Buddhism about gay and lesbian relationships. Buddhism is most concerned with whether an action is helpful and based on good intentions. This differs from Christianity which often evaluates an action, based on whether it is good or evil; positive or sinful.

Apparently, the Buddha did not leave any teachings on homosexual orientation or homosexual behavior. He strongly encouraged his followers to "be a lamp until yourself" -- to examine and test the truth of religious teachings before accepting them.

Many women, gays and lesbians have been attracted to Buddhism because of its relative lack of misogyny and homophobia, when compared to most monotheistic religions. But others report "virulently anti-gay sentiments and teachings from religious teachers in Tibetan and other Buddhist" schools.

Theravada Buddhism:
This is one of the largest divisions of Buddhism. It is also known as the "Southern" School. Using information drawn from a presentation on legalizing same-sex marriages in Hawai'i, we find:

The Buddha formulated 5 precepts of Right Conduct
One of these is: "I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct"
The Buddha did not specifically define the term "sexual misconduct."
However, he did stress the importance of "above all, do no harm to others or to oneself"
Some Buddhists conclude that sexual misconduct would include adultery, child molestation, incest, rape, sexual abuse in any form, and sexual harassment. Further, consensual sexual activity by a committed couple is not misconduct (whether engaged in by a heterosexual or homosexual couple).

From the Theravada Buddhist standpoint, all relationships: gay, lesbian or straight, are often considered personal matters of mutual consent. If a relationship promotes the happiness and well-being of both parties, then it is positive and acceptable. Many Buddhists believe that sexual orientation is beyond a person's control, as are race and gender. They feel that gays and lesbians should have the same civil rights and benefits as do all other persons.

Kerry Trembath wrote that Buddhists base ethical decisions on the consequences of one's actions, how we would feel if the action was done to us, and whether the action is helpful to our goal of Nirvana. He commented that Buddhist leaders have generally interpreted coercive sex, sexual harassment, child molestation and adultery to be sexual misconduct. But heterosexual or homosexual consensual sex within a relationship is acceptable.