Gays can be Thai Buddhist monks? (video)

Ashley Wells, Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; LGBTweekly.com

THAILAND - A Thai Buddhist monk who is gay and a former cross-dresser [a third gender kathoey] has gone on public television to say there is nothing wrong with gay people becoming Buddhist monks, causing much controversy in Thailand where [Theravada] Buddhism is the primary religion and has special status, reports GayAsiaNews.com.

“I am who I am, and I’m not going to pretend just to fit in,”  Ven. Tanaisawan George Chandhadhammo, 28, told Woody Talk, a popular MCOT talk show. “Gay people can make good monks too,” he said.

 

"I am who I am" [deal with it, fellow monastics]

His interview had led Thai censors to stop the segment of the popular Thai television talk show from being aired. The interview was not broadcast last month. However, it was finally allowed to air on TV recently, announced bangkok.coconuts.co.

 

The popular MCOT talk show host, Woody Milintachinda (shown above being splashed with pink liquid), revealed on Facebook that they had to postpone its “Gay Monk” interview segment because censors had objected:

 

“Apologies to our audience. Woody Talk has to postpone the broadcast of the ‘Gay Monk’ interview because the Censorship Committee is evaluating its appropriateness. The tape contains some hot issues!” the post says.

 

With 44,000 views, the episode’s teaser provided a few quotes from the young monk [likely NOT a "monk" but only a "novice," who would be restricted by far fewer rules than a fully-ordained Buddhist bhikkhu, as Monastic Disciplinary Code rules do not allow kathoeys or "pandakas" to be fully ordained], who discusses trying to be a gay monastic.

• See Thai Buddhism going GAY Catholic? for Wisdom Quarterly analysis and commentary on the issue

The crux of the interview was whether it is appropriate for a man who is openly gay and has strong faith in Buddhism can choose to become a monk.

 

Ven. Chandhadhammo or George used to be a medical student and dressed like a woman publicly. [Kathoeys or "Lady-Boys" are a common feature of Thai society, who are often flamboyant sex workers/prostitutes or authentic "beauty queens" with entire pageants dedicated to them with parental participation and pride as well as mainstream media coverage.]

 

Now he practices Buddhism at Vivegvanaram Monastery in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, southern Thailand.

• Hat Yai Nai Temple (Wat) is home to the third largest reclining Buddha statue on the planet, an impressive sight that leaves one in awe. People travel from all over Thailand to pay respect to this statue. After the three-month monastic Rains Retreat ends, a big Buddhist festival specific to Southern Thailand called Chak Phra takes place with large floats or "Buddha boat" processions, sports events like a run up Khao Tang Kuan hill, and more extreme events. One of the most extreme festivals in the world is also in the south celebrated among Thai Chinese called the Vegetarian Festival or Nine Emperor [Space] Gods Festival where young pen pierce themselves with bloody swords and hooks in a great S&M-like display magically with no pain. During the Chinese Lunar Festival (as the south has a large Chinese population as well as a significant Muslim population influenced by neighboring Islamic Malaysia), the Thai and Chinese present their offerings to the Moon (Luna, Chandra) or Queen of the Heavens in gratitude for past and future fortunes.

Known for his sharp religious homilies Ven. George is loved and revered by locals in the area. Religion is a very sensitive issue that the Thai media rarely touches and the public outing of Ven. George’s sexual orientation is probably a first for public television.

• [The issue is so controversial and potentially damaging to Thai monasticism that it could lead others to drop out or prevent some from joining as it would tarnish the venerable reputation of the institution -- in spite of the fact that insiders may have been aware of such monks in the past within the Sangha in the past. Thailand, like Rome and other Catholic countries, considers this its religion, so young men are expected to ordain to benefit their families. With such external motivations, it is no surprise to anyone that monastics fail to let go of sensuality, money, power, fame, and political influence; instead, they become powerful and often corrupt figures. But because there are some sincere practitioners, saints and ascetics, Thais give reverence and generous support to everyone in Buddhist robes. Kathoey members, far from being "liberal progress" in our Western eyes likely tarnishes the reputation of the institution doing more harm than good. There are many things that prevent one from full admission into the monastic Sangha, sexual orientation being only one. Someone with a skin condition or debt could not get in, in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Buddha.]

Mongkut was the King of Siam in Rogers and Hammerstein's "The King and I"

 

More than 95 percent of Thailand’s 67 million people are Theravada Buddhists. And although Thailand is a constitutional monarchy [with a beloved monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), 86, who is the longest reigning monarch in the world, an institution which gave rise to the American musical "The King and I" about a royal (Mongkut not Yul Brynner) who was himself a Buddhist monk or novice prior to ascending to the throne], it has a strong Southeast Asian tradition of Buddhist kingship that ties the legitimacy of the state to its protection and support for Buddhism.

 

Buddhist institutions and clergy are guaranteed special benefits by the government.

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Can one love one's penis too much? (video)

Pat Macpherson, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; LiveScience.com; TheFinalMember.com

This optical illusion is caused by our brain's top down processing rather than being mindful of what's there or what psychologists refer to as bottom up processing -- perceiving based on data rather than interpretation. Instead, our minds constantly "construct" our reality. Send complaints care of CC Liu. Then fish your mind out of the gutter and look below:

(VICE) Can a man love the penis too much? Acclaimed at festivals worldwide including HotDocs, SilverDocs, and Fantastic Fest, "The Final Member" follows the aging curator of one of the world's only penis museum as he races against his own mortality to complete his comprehensive collection. Opens in theaters and VOD 4-18-14.

Female Penis, Male Vagina: First Case of Genital Reversal in Nature

Charles Q. Choi (livescience.com); Yoshizawa et. al (Neotrogla aurora in Current Biology)

Female penis structure of cave insect (CB)

Females with penislike genitals and males with vaginalike organs are cases of a new extreme reversal of sex roles researchers have discovered in little-known cave insects.

 

These are the first examples of animals with genitalia that reverse the traditional sex roles, and the discovery could shed light on the conflict between the sexes in the animal kingdom, investigators said.

 

Scientists analyzed four species of insects from extremely dry caves in Brazil. All four species belong to the genus Neotrogla, just as dogs, wolves, coyotes, and jackals belong to genus Canis. The first Neotrogla was discovered 18 years ago; adult Neotrogla range from about 2.7 to 3.7 millimeters (0.11 to 0.15 inches) long. More

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Singing Birds and Stinging Bees: SEX slavery

Ashley Wells, CC Liu, Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly; Monica Luhar (SCPR.org/KPCC); Dennis Romero (laweekly.com, 11-2-11); Eleanor Beasley; SWAAY.org

There are singing birds and stinging bees. Sex slavery = domestic human sex trafficking (EB)

.

It is doubtful that all people will understand. Wisdom Quarterly is sex-positive, that is, we believe in sex.

 

We are opposed to sexual misconduct, sex slavery, human trafficking, forced prostitution, and harming (himsa) in all its forms. Yet, we remain sex-positive. People generally paint things in black and white; it is our Judeo-Christian legacy.

FEMEN fights patriarchy and sexism

When I was raised I was taught I was a born sinner with depraved tendencies utterly incapable of behaving. Then I was told to "behave," to be "good," and more ludicrously to "smile." So every impulse proved the raisers (beyond parents these included uniformed authorities, in loco parentis school officials, relatives, and "go along to get along" neighbors) were right.  There was no Kalama Sutra then. I was no better than Alanis Morissette trying to swallow a Jagged Little Pill:

"You know how us Catholic girls can be./Hey, hey!/ We make up for so much time a little too late./ I never forgot it, confusing as it was,/ No fun with no guilt feelings,/ The sinners, the saviors, the loverless priests!/ I'll see you next Sunday.// CHORUS: We all had our reasons to be there!/ We all had a thing or two to learn!/ We all needed something to cling to,/ So we did!// I sang Alleluia in the choir./Oh, hallelu, hallelu, hallelu-yah!/ I confessed my darkest deeds to an envious man./ My brothers they never "went blind" for what they did,/ But I may as well have!/ In the name of the Father, the Skeptic, and the Son,/ I had one more stupid question./ CHORUS/ What I learned I rejected, but I believe again!/ I will suffer the consequence of this Inquisition!/ If I jump in this [holy water] fountain, will I be forgiven?/ We all had our reasons to be there./ We all had a thing or two to learn./ We all needed something to cling to,/ So we did. We all had delusions in our head./ We all had our minds made up for us!/ We had to believe in something,/ So we did.

Hey, sailors (dongye.cc)

Sex is all bad. No, sex is all right. No, sex is a sin. Yes, it's all bad and bad is good, it's hot. The morass and mire of confusion never ends. We're raised to have this confusion and be exploited by by it. Look how prissy we are...and how sexy. Look how hypocritical we feel...and how pathetic we are.

Follow the supreme-way-of-living (spiritual celibacy of the brahmacarya with intensive meditation) or be tolerant, inclusive, and kind. Or maybe just shut up and listen. SWAAY once had everyone in L.A. upset about its billboards:

Sex Worker Billboards to Decriminalize Prostitution Roaming Streets of L.A.

Dennis Romero (laweekly.com 11-2-11)

"Sex and Zen"

We might call them victims or exploited, but a pro-sex-worker group founded in L.A. wants us to know pros are in control of their own bodies.

 

And it's doing so with mobile billboards that are being driven around town this week. The group, SWAAY (Sex Work Activists, Allies, and You), went mobile after claiming that every billboard company in town turned it down. Here's what the ads say: 

Banned (rejected) billboards of L.A.

"Sex worker: a person who consensually exchanges his/her own sexual labor or sexual performance for compensation. Sex work is not the same as forced sex trafficking or sex slavery." Got that, Ashton Kutcher? SWAAY, which wants to decriminalize prostitution, is fuming over the rejection by L.A.'s major outdoor advertisers... More

We are stopping HUMAN TRAFFICKING!

Monica Luhar (SCPR.org, April 25, 2014)

Human trafficking protest in London (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images/file/scpr.org)

California officials are in Los Angeles today to discuss efforts to combat and eradicate human trafficking in statewide.

 

The event at the YWCA Greater Los Angeles at the Museum of Tolerance will also focus on best practices that can be implemented locally to address the crime, which generates an estimated $32 billion annually to global criminal enterprises. YWCA spokeswoman Cynthia Heard told the Associated Press that the groundbreaking event would... More

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Topless protesters say no to rape, sexism, patriarchy (femen.org)

Student doing porn to pay tuition ('n luvin it)?

Editors, Wisdom Quarterly; Piers Morgan Show (CNN US-version controlled by CIA) UPDATED

I love it, Piers, I just love it, and I got to pick my own name, "Belle Knox," after a cartoon character and an American killer from Italy who's like totally innocent!

Don't judge me. I'm (in)famous, and isn't that all that really matters in what sex therapist, addiction medicine specialist, and radio/TV host Dr. Drew calls the new Age of Narcissism?

 
Porn-prostitution: new tricks in an old trade

Who you tryin to look at, man?

(March 6, 2014) Duke University student tells Piers Morgan: My porn career is "freeing." The British born Morgan -- soon to be fired host of In The Piers Morgan Show -- talks to pornography actress (but not yet porn "star") "Belle Knox" about her career, women's empowerment [to degrade us all for money], social norms, and society's scorn. More (plus video)

Piers, do you think maybe I'm making a big mistake I'll regret after I graduate from Duke and can't get a job doing anything else because I'm totally typecast, or will I still love it?

Oddly, Hypocrisy is rooted in High Morals

Jeanna Bryner (LiveScience.com)

Good or hypocritical?

Morally upstanding people are the do-gooders of society, right? Actually, a new study finds that a sense of moral superiority can lead to unethical acts, such as cheating. In fact, some of the best do-gooders can become the worst cheats.

 

Stop us if this sounds familiar.

 

When asked to describe themselves, most people typically will rattle off a list of physical features and activities (for example, "I do yoga" or "I'm a paralegal"). But some people have what scientists call a moral identity, in which the answer to the question would include phrases like "I am honest" and "I am a caring person."

 

Shame, you want me to be ashamed? (Mai)

Past research has suggested that people who describe themselves with words such as honest and generous are also more likely to engage in volunteer work and other socially responsible acts. But often in life, the line between right and wrong becomes blurry... More
 

Moral shame [conscience] and moral dread
Wisdom Quarterly (eds.); Ven. Nyanatiloka (COMMENTARY)

"Moral shame and moral dread" are associated with all karmically wholesome consciousness (see Table II). "To be ashamed [or circumspect, conscientious, mindful] of what one ought to be abashed or hesitant about -- ashamed of performing harmful and unwholesome actions (akusala karma): this is called "moral shame" (hiri).

Mara's three daughters tempt Siddhartha*

To be in dread of [averse to, afraid of, put off by] what one ought to be in dread of -- dread of performing harmful and unwholesome deeds (karma): this is called moral dread" (Puggalapaññatti , 79, 80).
 
"Two lucid things, O meditators, protect the world -- moral shame and moral dread. If these two things were not to protect the world then one would respect neither one's mother, nor one's mother's sister, nor one's brother's wife, nor one's teacher's wife...." (AN II, 7). Compare with "lack of moral shame and dread" (ahirika). See Atthasālini Tr. I. pp. 164ff.

• *Mara's "three daughters" are Craving (obsession), Discontentment (ennui), and Lust (passion, addiction).

Is porn bad karma?

Ashley Wells, Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Pfc. Sandoval, Wisdom Quarterly (OPINION)

What if I just do it to pay my tuition...then it's skillful karma, right? Right? I could just do anything and say my intention was "good," right? Right? - Ugh, I already told you, read Wisdom Quarterly to figure it out.

 

I didn't think about karma, just rationalizing

Is helping create pornography "right livelihood," a kind of prostitution (exchanging sex for money), or human trafficking?

It seems it is. The Buddha defined the Noble Eightfold Path factor of "right livelihood" (sammā-ājīva) as not engaging in trades or occupations that, whether directly or indirectly, result in harm to ourselves and others. In both the Chinese and Pali language canons, it is said:

What is right livelihood? A disciple of the noble ones, having abandoned a dishonest means of maintaining oneself, keeps life going by some right livelihood. [This kind of tautological definition, which seems to say nothing, is common because all of the pertinent terms are detailed in the discourses.]

Before buddhahood, Siddhartha indulged in sensuality and found it disappointing and leading to harm rather than enlightenment and leading to liberation. The Buddha understood its lure, having experienced it firsthand, but also realized the escape from its alluring trap.

  

Rahula, Bimba, and Siddhartha

More concretely today interpretations include work "integrated into life as a Buddhist" (TheBuddhistCentre.com), something ethical, "wealth obtained through rightful means" (Ven. Basnagoda Rahula) -- honesty and ethics in business dealings, not cheating, defrauding, or stealing (Lewis Richmond). As people now spend most of their time at work, it is important to assess how our work affects our minds and hearts. So important questions include, How can work become meaningful? How can it be a support, rather than a hindrance, to spiritual practice -- a place to deepen our awareness and kindness? (Richmond)

The Buddha defined right livelihood, at a minimum, as avoiding five types of business:

1. trade in weapons and instruments of killing,
2. trade in human beings: slave trading, prostitution, or human trafficking (the buying and selling of children or adults most commonly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor, or commercial sexual exploitation [such as the production and dissemination of Internet porn] for the trafficker or others,
3. trade in flesh: "flesh" referring to the bodies of beings, which includes breeding animals for slaughter,
4. trade in intoxicants: manufacturing or selling intoxicating drinks or drugs,
5. trade in poisons: producing or trading in any kind of poison or a toxic product designed to harm.

Can sex work ever be free of exploitation and therefore something worth advocating?

 

Could I take it back or get more money?

So is acting in, creating, or promoting porn "bad," "wrong," harmful, unwholesome, unskillful, unprofitable when such karma (deeds) finally ripen? Who really cares? Belle Knox is partly right -- we watch porn. We don't act in it, film it, promote it, profit from it, or encourage exploitation.

 

It seems she will regret it and probably already does. Western mores encourage us to feel shame, guilt, regret, remorse, worry, misgivings, and even panic about SEX. Let's not. Let's be sex positive. Sex is fine; sexual misconduct is not.

 

Sex and sensuality (kama) themselves are not "sexual misconduct" (kamesu micchacara). Knox is talking about the two as if they were the same thing. Go naked, be free, look beautiful, enjoy sensual pleasures, make love (not war).

 

This whore was suspended for doing porn

Let's go even further and decriminalize sex work because "shaming and blaming" are part of how we exert social control on each other (in our species and our pets) and how it was done to us by our elders. This all goes far beyond "sex" to what we think is offensive, acceptable, discomfiting, and decent. Judging makes us hypocrites. So rather than judge, let's be mindful of our own actions. The world will be the world, and we don't have to be the world.

Sex Doctor gets Penis Cancer (video)

Pat Macpherson, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly

He's not Dinah Cancer; he's Dr. Drew, America's sex and addiction therapist for 30 years.

 

Physician, heal thyself with your own advice.

"Doctor Drew," 55 (radio  host Dr. Drew Pinsky, M.D.), announced today that he is suffering from prostrate cancer, which is ironi c since a health professional of his caliber should be able to heal himself. Natural remedies like saw palmetto (extract) and a healthy sex life, in conjunction with an alkalizing diet (rather than the acidifying S.A.D. or "standard American diet") and a serene (rather than stressful) lifestyle would have kept him well. But as a doctor who promotes invasive surgery, deadly radiation treatments, and toxic allopathic pharmaceutical poisons all in the name of "medicine," this is what Drew and his patients can look forward to. He has, by his own admission, already submitted to voluntary surgery. Can it be long before he confesses to intentional radiation exposure and a regimen of chemotherapy?

Funnier and saltier than Dr. Ruth

Starting Wednesday he will be the guest on a barrage of television and radio shows promoting harmful cancer screenings, which seem to do more to cause cancer than cure it. He is already a white haired, neurotically nervous overachiever (formerly a sufferer of intense panic attacks that even his former radio co-host, Adam Corolla, could barely help him with), who began Loveline with the show's originator DJ Poorman on KROQ FM in his hometown of Pasadena, California.
 

Now he has an media empire consisting of a podcast with Latino heartthrob and former addict Mike Catherwood as well as their nationally syndicated, ever-fresh, ever-educational Loveline Radio Show (lovelineshow.com), an off-again-on-again rehab celebrity TV show, former MTV show, and a much more tame HLN talk show. Drew may not be much of a healer, but he is a well tuned "medical intuitive" showing off his skills in short call in spurts and an addiction medicine specialist. Everything we have ever learned about aberrant sexual behavior, sexually transmitted diseases, and philosophical quandaries about why humans repeat dysfunctional patterns over and over again -- answered with stunning clarity by addiction specialist Dr. Gabor Mate, M.D. -- we learned from Dr. Drew. He may not be, but to us he will always be a real Schmendrick.

(32:00 mins) This is the introduction to the third Zeitgeist film, "Moving Forward," featuring Dr. Gabor Mate. It covers truths about human nature, genetics as non-determinants of disease, health, and concepts and popular misconceptions about "Nature vs. Nuture."

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  This year's 24 recipients of MacArthur Foundation "genius grants" include a physicist whose work was inspired in part by a NPR report he heard a decade ago. As Carl Haber of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory explains in a video posted by the foundation with Wednesday's awards announcements:
  

  "About 10 years ago I happened to hear a report on NPR about the Library of Congress and their large collections of historic sound recordings, which described them in some cases as being delicate, damaged, deteriorating, and so forth." More