What are the Dalai Lama's thoughts on homosexuality?

The Dalai Lama is the leader of the Tibetan people and is revered by millions of Buddhists worldwide. At a press conference in 1997-JUN, he commented: "From a Buddhist point of view [lesbian and gay sex]...is generally considered sexual misconduct".

However, the Buddha did not leave any teachings on homosexual orientation or homosexual behavior. He strongly encouraged his followers to "be a lamp onto yourself" -- to examine and test the truth of religious teachings before accepting them.

To summarize: Buddhism's basic teaching discourages sex, and particularly condemns adultery, rape, non-consensual sex, and unsafe sex. This would seem to apply to same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples equally. However, some groups within Buddhism condemn homosexual sex because of cultural criteria.

The Dalai Lama says it wrong but he will not criticize them. He is tolerant of homosexuality even though he thinks as a Buddhist it is wrong.

The traditional Asian Buddhists are not very enthusiastic about homosexuality. Although they do not condemn it outright. It is the American Buddhists who are very accepting of homosexuality.

He may be very fascinating and I might inspire you to learn a few extra on him. You will discover plenty of well matters in his writings. He will often on no account be allowed to return to Tibet. But particularly he has made a far bigger influence on being expelled from Tibet that he might have if he have been allowed to stick.

It's probably OK for his elite Priest Caste. The peasants, however, should get on with their work.

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