Welcome to the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast. Our intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire a simple and uncomplicated life. Discover the benefits of mindful living with your host, Timber Hawkeye.

In celebration of Pride Month, I am frequently asked, what is the Buddhist view on homosexuality and when I recently shared my answer with a post on Facebook that I even tried to promote in order to reach more

people who seek shelter from judgment and condemnation.

Facebook rejected my promotion, claiming it can be construed as an attempt to interfere with the

way people vote.

I contemplated how to reconcile the concept of Pride Month with how often I've mentioned

that segregation is at the root of so much hatred, judgment, and suffering.

And that's when a post by my friend Diana reminded me that pride is not about segregation at all.

Pride is the opposite of shame and loathing.

So for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ or as the plus at the end, including the

Intersexuals, Asexuals, some, or none of the above, which is to say anyone

celebrating diversity, equality, and freedom from shame.

This is an invitation to take back your power, stand in your truth, and rest assured that

if you or someone you know has wondered, what is the Buddhist stance on homosexuality,

here is the answer I included in the book.

Putism has a precept about not engaging in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment.

It does not have a different teaching regarding homosexuality than it does on heterosexuality.

When a sexual act is an expression of love, loyalty, honesty, warmth, and respect, then it doesn't break the third precept, whether the couple is of the same gender or not.

The third Brutus precept is about cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society.

It invites everyone to do everything in their power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.

Therefore as long as there is love in a mutual agreement between the adults involved, it isn't sexual misconduct regardless of gender.

Unfortunately, some people and religions or even certain Buddhist sects would argue this point but I don't think

...