Out & About

In popular Thai Buddhism, people are taught that gays are born that way because they accumulated bad karma in their past lives. Moreover, it is taught that in this lifetime, there is no way for them to become enlightened. All they can do is to suffer, repent and make good merit, so that in their next life they can be born as a straight person, and thus have the chance to attain liberation.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Zen teacher, doesn't agree. "The popular belief in karma is still based on the notion of self. It's not entirely Buddhist," the Vietnamese-born monk said during the question and answer session in a retreat in Chiang Mai at the end of last month.

In his view, karma doesn't belong to individuals, it's collective. He further explained that when one smokes, it doesn't only ruin the health of that person, but it ruins the health of people who don't smoke. He calls this "collective karma".

The same is true with global warming. If one doesn't cause much pollution, but also isn't active enough in preventing the pollution caused by others, everyone will still suffer the ill effects of pollution. "The fact is that everyone is responsible to some extent to what is happening to all of us," noted Nhat Hanh who coined the term "engaged Buddhism" in order to apply the teaching of Buddha to alleviate sufferings of society, not just individuals.

Then what should gays and lesbians do when living in the midst of such discrimination? Nhat Hanh replied, "Understanding and compassion are the only answers."

People who are discriminated against should understand that other people have wrong perceptions because they were taught to have them. "And if you get angry, you cannot help.

If you are not angry, then you may live and teach in such a way that helps people to abandon that kind of discrimination. If lesbians and gay people understand that, they will not suffer too much," he said in a soft and compassionate voice.

Nhat Hanh's sangha (community of practitioners) is known in the West as one of the most gay-friendly Buddhist communities.

He has given transmissions to many lay dharma teachers who are openly gay. His compassionate heart and understanding of discrimination allows him to welcome gay people into his sangha.

According to the Buddha, the cessation of suffering is possible. This implies that the end of discrimination is also possible.

Thich Nhat Hanh has shown us a way to put an end to anti-gay discrimination. And since karma is collective, it is not only the responsibility of gays and lesbians to help end discrimination, it is the responsibility of everyone in society. 

Atitaya Wiwatwit   

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