Test 2

Please select your preferred language.

請選擇你慣用的語言。

请选择你惯用的语言。

English
中文简体
台灣繁體
香港繁體

Login

Remember Me

New to Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

15 Aug 2011

Buddhist groups in Malaysia to hold public talk about homosexuality, Aug 19

The Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM) and Buddhist Research Society of Malaysia (BRSM) will hold a seminar titled "Homosexuality: The Controversy in the Midst of Morality and Social Value" on Aug 19 in Kuala Lumpur.

Citing the recent headline making news of a lesbian couple in Johor, Malaysia marrying with the blessings of their families in a traditional Chinese marriage ceremony and the legalisation of same-sex marriage in other countries, the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM) and Buddhist Research Society of Malaysia (BRSM) will hold a seminar titled "Homosexuality: The Controversy in the Midst of Morality and Social Value" on Aug 19 in Kuala Lumpur.

Established in 1970, the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM) coordinates 270 member organisations through 13 State Liaison Committees across Malaysia.

An announcement posted on the YBAM website reads: "While human reproduction through opposite-sex marriage is deemed to be the ordinary social progression, we see many people remain to be single or advocate the same-sex partnership by keeping their marriage high profile. Since 2001, some countries or its states have recognised same-sex marriage, for example New York of USA, by officially passing a bill in the parliament.

"How Malaysian Buddhist community perceives the same-sex marriage? Buddhism stresses right conduct and the detachment of all kind of inappropriate desires. Accordingly, the partnership of the same-sex is merely the implication of the origin dependency or something that can change or be rectified?

"The panels of the seminar comprise of professionals from various fields, such as Ven. Miao Jan (Coordinator of Persatuan Meditasi Prajna KL and Selangor), Datuk Ang Choo Hong( President of Buddhist Research Society of Malaysia), Mr.Yap Hock Heng (Registered & Licensed Counsellor). The panels will discuss the issue from the perspectives of Buddhism, sociology and psychology, in order to dissect the issue from different facets."

The talk will be held on Aug 19, at 8pm at the YBAM Administration and Training Center. For details, please contact the YBAM office at 03-7804 9154 / 9157, or write to ybam@ybam.org.my.

Malaysia

Reader's Comments

1. 2011-08-15 16:19  
I am glad that Fridae published an article on a Buddhist talk about homosexuality here. This shows that Fridae is impartial to different worldviews/religion. Someone in the previous article has wrongly accused Fridae of being infiltrated by Christians. The truth is, Fridae is neutral: it is a portal for GLBTQS people belonging to Taoism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Atheism, Judaism, Hinduism and so on.

Hope Fridae can give a report on what were said by the Buddhist monks/scholars in the event after it has taken place.
2. 2011-08-16 00:07  
[quote]How Malaysian Buddhist community perceives the same-sex marriage?[/quote]
'Malaysian Buddhist Community'....
Are they gonna get informed views from the Buddha Dharma & science per se or another emo & blanket lecture from cultural & societal lenses is to be expected?
Surprise me...

3. 2011-08-18 00:31  
Good to see an article for gay Buddhists, of which there are many. More please!

Nontheistic Buddhists seem to have the best and most accepting approach to gays of the various religions, though strictly it is not a religion. It takes a very common sense and non moralising line. Also it all seems in line with Quantum theory which is quite interesting.
4. 2011-08-18 10:06  
Wow, this is awesome. I'm really looking forward to hearing some feedback about this event. Hopefully someone who can represent fridae will be present at the event? :)

I sincerely hope that the talk will remain civil and not degenerate into flinging about unsubstantiated assumptions that homosexuality is "wrong conduct" (simply because it is not mainstream) and that heterosexuality is "right conduct" (simply because it is mainstream). Fingers crossed.
Comment edited on 2011-08-18 11:16:02
5. 2011-08-18 16:34  
It will be very interesting to read the outcome of these talks. My two main teachers both have a number GLBT students and have no problem with non-mainstream sexualities, even going as far as encouraging people to find stable, committed relationships. However, I have also met Buddhist fudamentalists who were less than supportive of my sexuality and tried to use the Dharma to justify their views.
I wonder which way these guys will go!

Please log in to use this feature.

Social


This article was recently read by

Select News Edition

Featured Profiles

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

Like Us on Facebook

Partners

 ILGA Asia - Fridae partner for LGBT rights in Asia IGLHRC - Fridae Partner for LGBT rights in Asia

Advertisement