Monks...ummm...?

[greg]

Yeah.......
well, this is kind of, possibly, a silly question, but it's something I've wondered for a long time.
I was looking through Fodor's "Exploring Japan" book, and they were talking about monks. Now, we all know monks aren't allowed to have sex with women (not sure about all, but probably most (?)). However, I learned something I never knew- they have sex with other monks- and they believe homosexual sex is more virtuous than heterosexual sex. Is this all true?

Does this explain how they are able to live peacefully and not go crazy and run away from the temple and stuff? Maybe the only ones that stay their whole lives are gay? 

[drogulus]

However, I learned something I never knew- they have sex with other monks- and they believe homosexual sex is more virtuous than heterosexual sex. Is this all true?

     Sadly, it's most likely an exaggeration._0:)Yes, prisoners and monks and asylum inmates engage in opportunistic sex on occasion. This is surprising to you?

     Oh, there was a question. Since you can be gay anywhere, I doubt gayness is a major part of the makeup of the successful monk. It may have more to do with being ill-suited to a life filled with all the choices most people face like jobs, marriage and family life. I sympathize, and I don't much care for these things either. However, I'm not a very advanced thinker and view it as my problem rather than evidence of a supercharged spiritual nature.

     

this is kind of, possibly, a silly question

     There are no silly questions, only silly questioners.

[greg]

I sympathize with that stuff, too.
But I thought they were supposed learn how to not let themselves get controlled by their desires... sounds like an unachievable goal, if that's what they have to resort to.
It would be nice to completely erase that kind of desire, but I guess it's impossible- if the monks can't do it, i guess nobody can. Right or no?...

[greg]

I think this answers all of my questions:

http://www.gaybuddhist.org/07a_monk_sex.html

errrr too much info, i guess.... but now at least I'm not confused anymore about this matter.
Extremely depressing, either way. I thought there were people on the earth who figured out how to be celibate (in all ways) without castrating themselves. I guess not.
And while I'm at it, why don't I try to destroy all my other misconceptions about how there's goodness in the world...

[The new erato]

Now, we all know monks aren't allowed to have sex with women

Then how come they aren't extinct?

[greg]

Because when they die, new people decide to become monks...?

[The new erato]

Because when they die, new people decide to become monks...?

Despite not being allowed to have sex with women? Well, I'll never.....!

[greg]

It confuses me, too. I'm sure there's reasons why people do become monks.  

[DavidW]

It confuses me, too. I'm sure there's reasons why people do become monks.  

You know Greg, if you want to have sex with men, you don't have to become a monk.

[greg]

Yeah, I realized that after drogulus' post. 

[Bulldog]

You know Greg, if you want to have sex with men, you don't have to become a monk.

Even an atheist can do it.