ABSTRACT
Buddhism is a religion with which one can engage at many levels. This chapter investigates what Buddhist ethics means for those identifying as bisexual. It overviews the Buddhist beliefs and ethics, with particular attention paid to the teachings involving sexuality in general. The chapter then examines some of the Buddhist writings which condemn same-sex sexual practices and sex outside of legal marriage. Buddhist monks are completely celibate, and often suspicious of all sexual activity, though they admit that sexuality is a necessary part of non-monastery life, and that most Buddhists are householders. During a meeting in 1997 between the Dalai Lama and a group of gay and lesbian Buddhists, clergy, and human rights activists, he urged tolerance and respect for sexual minorities, and opposed "violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation". Thich Nhat Hanh advises against using Buddhist monasteries as a retreat from the world, and believes in actively working toward making the world a better place.
