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

登入

记住我

初到 Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

新闻&特写

« 较新的 | 较旧的 »
14 Dec 2014

Buddhist temple paves the way for gay weddings in Japan

 

The temple in Kyoto is the first Zen Buddhist temple to officiate symbolic ceremonies between same-sex couples in the country.

Shunkoin Temple is now offering exclusive traditional Japanese weddings for same-sex couples from around the world, a move that just might be the precursor to marriage equality in Japan.

Draped in wedding kimonos, standing in a Zen temple Kyoto built in the 1590s, gay and lesbian couples have a new option for a commitment ceremony in Japan that struggles with legislation to ensure LGBT equality.

“It’s not like we have to keep tradition the way it is,” Takafumi Kawakami, a priest at the Shunkoin Temple told CNN. “We welcome every couple regardless of their faith or sexual orientation.”

Shunkoin Temple is an important site for a 20th-century school of thought that blends Zen and Western philosophy. It is also noted for its categorical stand against human rights abuses. 

According to its website, “Shunkoin Temple is against any forms of ‘Human Rights Violations’ in the world. No religion teaches how to hate others. Religion teaches how to love and respect others.”

Even though same sex-marriage is not yet legalized in Japan, the temple is seen as taking steps toward social acceptance of LGBTI couples while its home government lags behind. Thus the ceremony is more of a spiritual commitment, as the couple does not gain any legal right through it.

Moreover, a 2013 Ipsos survey showed how divided Japanese citizens were on the issue. Only 24 percent of Japanese people believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry legally.

“Japan still has no LGBT protection laws, lawmakers aren’t even talking about it,” LGBT activist Maki Muraki was quoted as telling various media outlets. “If more people come out and get married, it’ll increase LGBT awareness, marriage equality, and workplace equality.”

The Japanese constitution currently codifies marriage in gender-based language and describes it as “mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as basis.”

The temple is in cooperation with Hotel Granvia Kyoto -- one of the “Top 25 Hotels in Japan” according to the 2014 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice -- in offering exclusive destination packages for traditional Japanese weddings for same-sex couples.

读者回应

1. 2014-12-15 21:27  
Ya, Buddha would not discriminate :)
2. 2014-12-15 21:28  
Buddha is also open-minded!
3. 2014-12-21 06:47  
Homosexuality has been around in Japan for many centuries. The fighting Samurai had female concubines and male pages to have sex with. Japanese monks also had sex with young men. Being gay became a negative thing in Japan after world War II When America forced is morals on a conquered country. Gays can do as they please with the exception of marraige as long as it is not openly talked about and forced upon others. Recently gay bars and clubs have moved out of the dark basements of buildings and a visual gay movement is growing.
4. 2015-01-03 08:25  
Wow! This is a good news. If I find my Mr. Right I would love to marry him to. And spend the rest of our life together.
5. 2015-04-29 20:18  


Hello my dear,
i am happy to contact you after
viewing your profile and it interest
me to contact you for a genuine relationship,
please contact me here(nicolemakuza1992@hotmail.com)
so that i will share my feelings with
you for further communication.
Thanks, your friend Nicole.
(nicolemakuza1992@hotmail.com)

请先登入再使用此功能。

请选择新闻及专栏版本

精选个人档案

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

赞好

合作伙伴

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

Advertisement