Does Buddhism approve of sex?

Does Buddhism approve of sex?

Ego (Buddhism podcast) Does Buddhism approve of sex? "This is an age in which sexual matters are discussed with great openness. There are many who are puzzled to know what the Buddhist attitude towards sex is. It is therefore to be hoped that the following guidelines may be found helpful towards an understanding. It is, of course, true to say that Buddhism, in keeping with the principle of the Middle Way, would advocate neither extreme puritanism nor extreme permissiveness. But this, as a guiding principle without further specification, may not seem sufficiently helpful for most people. In the first place, we must distinguish between the rules undertaken by Buddhist monks [and nuns] for their own conduct and any guiding principles for lay people.

• Ego (Buddhism podcast), Dec. 3, 2024 [with appropriated text uncredited to Maurice O'Connell Walshe from Buddhism and Sex, 2006 (Wheel 225, BPS.lk), as this channel often does with Ven. Thanissaro texts]; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly