Homosexuality and Taoism

Homosexuality and Taoism

It is difficult to determine a single position on homosexuality in Taoism, as the term Taoism is used to describe a number of disparate religious traditions, from organised religious movements such as Quanzhen to Chinese folk religion and even a school of philosophy. The vast majority of adherents live in China and among Chinese Diaspora communities elsewhere, and so attitudes to homosexuality within Taoism often reflect the values and sexual norms of broader Chinese society (see Homosexuality in China).

The Taoist tradition holds that males need the energies of females, and vice versa, in order to bring about balance, completion and transformation. These energies thought to be best obtained through heterosexual relations. Passionate homosexual expression is usually discouraged because it is believed to not lead to human fulfillment. [Wawrytko, Sandra (1993). "Homosexuality and Chinese and Japanese Religions" in "Homosexuality and World Religions", edited by Arlene Swidler. Trinity Press International, 1993.]

Taoism stresses the relationship between yin and yang: two opposing forces which maintain harmony through balance. Heterosexuality is seen as the physical and emotional embodiment of the harmonious balance between yin and yang. [ [http://www.compassionatedragon.com/taoist_sex_more.html Compassionate Dragon Healing: Taoist Sex ] ]

However, Taoist nuns are said to have exchanged love poems during the Tang dynasty. [ [http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/china,5.html China] on glbtq.com]

References

ee also

*Taoist sexual practices


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Homosexuality and Confucianism — Loving and sexual relations between individuals of the same sex have been traditionally accepted in Confucian thought, as long as they do not impede fulfilling one s obligations to the family and the state. However, relations which result in… …   Wikipedia

  • Taoism — Daoism Chinese name Traditional Chinese 道 教wefo;buffo aseqff i like balls Simplified Chinese …   Wikipedia

  • Religion and homosexuality — See also: LGBT matters and religion Conservative Christian protesters at a 2006 gay pride event in San Francisco. The relationship between religion and homosexuality can vary greatly across time and place, within and between different religions… …   Wikipedia

  • Homosexuality in China — Young men sipping tea and having sex. Individual panel from a hand scroll on homosexual themes, paint on silk; China, Qing Dynasty (eighteenth to nineteenth centuries); Kinsey Institute, Bloomington, Indiana, United States Homosexuality in China… …   Wikipedia

  • Societal attitudes toward homosexuality — Should homosexuality be accepted in society? Percentage of responders that answered accept:   81% 90% …   Wikipedia

  • Eros and the Mysteries of Love — Eros and the Mysteries of Love: The Metaphysics of Sex is Julius Evola s work expanding on his ideas about sexuality described in his major work Revolt Against the Modern World, published in 1958 (English translation by Inner Traditions… …   Wikipedia

  • Atheism and religion — Atheism, in its broadest definition, is the absence of theism, viz., of belief in a God or gods. The degree to which one can be considered an atheist while simultaneously being and adherent of a sect of a traditionally monotheistic, polytheistic …   Wikipedia

  • Relationship between religion and science — Part of a series on Science …   Wikipedia

  • Cults and new religious movements in literature and popular culture — New religious movements and cults can appear as themes or subjects in literature and popular culture, while notable representatives of such groups have produced, for their own part, a large body of literary works. Contents 1 Terminology 2… …   Wikipedia

  • Religion and mythology — differ, but have overlapping aspects. Both terms refer to systems of concepts that are of high importance to a certain community, making statements concerning the supernatural or sacred. Generally, mythology is considered one component or aspect… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”