is sex bad?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism

is sex bad?

yes
5
71%
yes
2
29%
 
Total votes: 7

form
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by form »

Those that have success in meditation are celibrated.
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SDC
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by SDC »

Sensual pleasure is in the opposite direction of liberation. Have all the sex you want; masturbate all you want; as long as it isn’t dishonest or illegal sex, you wouldn’t be violating the third precept; but you’re cultivating the direction that must be uprooted. The choice is unwholesome. So don’t lie to yourself. If you choose sensuality, you’re not choosing liberation. You cannot have it both ways.
Last edited by SDC on Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
form
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by form »

SDC wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:09 pm Sensual pleasure is in the opposite direction of liberation. Have all the sex you want; masturbate all you want; as long as it isn’t against dishonest or illegal sex, you wouldn’t be violating the third precept; but you’re cultivating the direction that must be uprooted. The choice is unwholesome. So don’t lie to yourself. If you choose sensuality, you’re not choosing liberation. You cannot have it both ways.
:goodpost:

To add on. I know some Buddhists who told me their goal is to keep to five precepts so that they can be reborn again as human to continue to progress.
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DNS
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by DNS »

Is it my eyes, my computer? I see only two options "yes" and "yes" in this poll. Was that intentional or an error?
form
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by form »

DNS wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:09 pm Is it my eyes, my computer? I see only two options "yes" and "yes" in this poll. Was that intentional or an error?
It just means that sex is 100% bad :mrgreen:
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DNS
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by DNS »

form wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:26 pm
DNS wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:09 pm Is it my eyes, my computer? I see only two options "yes" and "yes" in this poll. Was that intentional or an error?
It just means that sex is 100% bad :mrgreen:
Well, I'm glad the Buddha's parents had sex otherwise the current Dispensation may not have come to be yet. :tongue:

So, perhaps, not 100% bad.
2600htz
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by 2600htz »

Hi:

I think the important thing is to transit towards the buddhist ideal. You dont gain much if lets say you avoid sexual intercourse but consume cocaine. You dont gain much if instead of sexual intercourse you masturbate watching porn.
But you do gain something if you have a lifestyle where sex is not that important or you practice celibacy, while also maintaining harmony in everything else.

Regards
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by cappuccino »



Life is short.
TRobinson465
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by TRobinson465 »

Sex is bad in the sense that it creates craving and attachment and keeps you from enlightenment. It is not bad in the sense that it causes peril or bad kamma for you so long as you are having ethical sex within the confines of the 3rd precept.
"Do not have blind faith, but also no blind criticism" - the 14th Dalai Lama

"The Blessed One has set in motion the unexcelled Wheel of Dhamma that cannot be stopped by brahmins, devas, Maras, Brahmas or anyone in the cosmos." -Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
SarathW
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by SarathW »

OK. I like the middle way.
How about enjoying sex like a Sotapanna and Sakdhagami?
The best of both worlds.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
bpallister
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by bpallister »

I am an incel. is that good?
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by cappuccino »

bpallister wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:24 pm I am an incel … is that good?
at least you have no regret


I could have, should have


however dispassion is the goal
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by SDC »

bpallister wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:24 pm I am an incel. is that good?
Not bad as long as you don’t embrace the hateful ideology that many incels have expressed on this forum over the years. They seem to care more about being an incel than practicing Buddhism.

Also, if you masturbate (with or without porn), that doesn’t seem to be the abstinence that the Buddha referred to in the eight precepts. So it is probably better than intercourse, but not by as much as one would hope. Having an orgasm is sensual - if you’re not secluded from sensuality, you’re not facing the direction of liberation.
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by bpallister »

SDC wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:46 pm
bpallister wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:24 pm I am an incel. is that good?
Not bad as long as you don’t embrace the hateful ideology that many incels have expressed on this forum over the years. They seem to care more about being an incel than practicing Buddhism.

Also, if you masturbate (with or without porn), that doesn’t seem to be the abstinence that the Buddha referred to in the eight precepts. So it is probably better than intercourse, but not by as much as one would hope. Having an orgasm is sensual - if you’re not secluded from sensuality, you’re not facing the direction of liberation.
i am not hateful. i do like to masturbate tho
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Re: is sex bad?

Post by SDC »

bpallister wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 12:54 am
SDC wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:46 pm
bpallister wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:24 pm I am an incel. is that good?
Not bad as long as you don’t embrace the hateful ideology that many incels have expressed on this forum over the years. They seem to care more about being an incel than practicing Buddhism.

Also, if you masturbate (with or without porn), that doesn’t seem to be the abstinence that the Buddha referred to in the eight precepts. So it is probably better than intercourse, but not by as much as one would hope. Having an orgasm is sensual - if you’re not secluded from sensuality, you’re not facing the direction of liberation.
i am not hateful. i do like to masturbate tho
As long as you don’t deny the value you maintain on that sensuality, you won’t forget that you do it for that reason. With that, you won’t be lying to yourself about the direction you’re choosing to maintain. But abstinence won’t necessarily reveal that. You could stop sexual activity altogether but if you don’t relinquish the view that relief can only come through the senses, then hope remains fixed in the direction of sensuality.
“Life is swept along, short is the life span; no shelters exist for one who has reached old age. Seeing clearly this danger in death, a seeker of peace should drop the world’s bait.” SN 1.3
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