Thursday, February 11, 2021

Is masturbation a "sin" in Buddhism?

Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Ashley Wells, E. Askew, Wisdom Quarterly
What have you two been reading? - We can't read, God. We just look at the pictures. - And?
What? I've never done that! I'm red in the face from the sun. There's no ozone anymore.
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Rows and stacks of porno mags, Japan (wiki)
(Continued from). First of all, there are NO "sins" in Buddhism. But even if there were, in biblical Hebrew sin is an archery term that literally means "missing the mark."

It is not the terrible thing we in the USA make of it, fearful and uncomfortable as we are about all things sexual, stemming from our Puritanical origins.

A better question might be, Is masturbation (or even sexual ideation with pornography without self-flagellation or completion of the act) bad karma? It's certainly not good karma, merit (punya), or beneficial in the long run. But for ordinary Buddhist practitioners, it need not be a source of shame or chronic guilt giving rise to hypocrisy, self-loathing, punishment, and more bad karma.
Karma (deeds) produce their results, pleasant/unpleasant, by an impersonal natural process.
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I love ladies so much I never... (Eitan Bernath)
Steer clear of pornography if progress in mental clarity and meditation are important or if it interferes with keeping the Five Precepts.

Some scholars, namely American monk Ven. Thanissaro, might argue that as the term kama ("sensual") in kamesu micchacara (commonly translated as "sexual misconduct" though it really means "sensual misconduct") refers to ALL of the senses.

Hey, may I interest you in some nude drawings of me?
Abusing the body in this way -- masturbating -- would be as harmful to oneself and others as gluttony (abuse of the body by over-indulgence in eating, often accompanied by food porn titillation, obsessing mind-and-body). But it is hardly the shameful scandal we make of it. An indication of its seriousness or unseriousness may be indicated by how it is treated among celibate Buddhist monastics: It is against the Monastic Disciplinary Code, but it is a minor offense.

While that is true, the Buddha used SEX as representing all of the senses (just as "volition" represents all 50 of the mental formations) and defined "sensual misconduct" in SEXUAL terms -- specifically, sexual intercourse with any of ten forbidden persons who are off-limits:
  • (1-6) anyone under the protection (support) of a guardian (mother, father, brother, sister, relative, community)
  • (7) under protection of the law
  • (8) married
  • (9) engaged
  • (10) promised in marriage.
The Buddha certainly warns against obsessing about sex, which is a hindrance (see Five Hindrances which obstruct the mind/heart and hinder clear seeing) to progress toward awakening from this illusion (maya).

What keeps us in a disappointing world of suffering (dukkha)? Only three things, Three Poisons of the mind:
  1. craving/clinging (sensual desire, greed)
  2. aversion/not wanting (disliking, hatred)
  3. delusion/wrong view (perversion, ignorance).
My lust, craving, and clinging can be overcome?
In conclusion, it may not be a "sin," but don't masturbate. HOW? Avert your attention. Dwell (reflect) on the unpleasant/foul aspects of corporeality (asubha). Dwell on the dangers and negative repercussions rather than the short-lived pleasure. Develop blissful/super-sensual meditative absorptions (jhana). Attain the first stage of enlightenment then enjoy sex all you want because liberation is assured within seven rebirths. Keep the Eight Precepts on the weekly observance (uposatha) days of the month.
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