GALVA's Position On “Illicit
Sex” and Renunciation
By Amara dasa
The following statements issued by the ISKCON Governing Body
Commission regarding “illicit sex” nicely express
the Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association’s (GALVA’s)
exact same position:
The GBC Body wishes to clarify that according to Srila Prabhupada’s
teachings, sex life according to religious principles followed
by Gaudiya Vaisnavas is for the propagation of children, not
for any other purpose, and that the responsibility of the parents
is then to make their offspring Krsna conscious. As
stated in the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, “Sex
is allowed only for the begetting of children, not for enjoyment. One
can indulge in sex to beget a good child for the benefit of
the family, society and world. Otherwise, sex is against
the rules and regulations of religious life.” (SB 5.14.9, purport)
While Srila Prabhupada’s definition of illicit sex is
clear, it is also clear that some devotees have difficulty
maintaining this initiation vow. The GBC recognizes this,
and suggests that rather than trying to adjust Srila Prabhupada’s
definition we should go on with devotional service and humbly
and sincerely keep endeavoring to reach the proper standard. In
this regard, Srila Prabhupada writes, “In the beginning
of Krsna consciousness, one may not fully discharge the injunctions
of the Lord, but because one is not resentful of this principle
and works sincerely without consideration of defeat and hopelessness,
he will surely be promoted to the stage of pure Krsna consciousness.” (BG
3.31, purport)
It is also said in Srimad Bhagavatam 11.20.27-28, “Having
awakened faith in the narrations of My glory, being disgusted
with all material activities, knowing that all sense gratification
leads to misery, but being unable to renounce all sense enjoyment,
My devotee should remain happy and worship Me with great faith
and conviction. Even though he is sometimes engaged
in sense enjoyment, My devotee knows that all sense gratification
leads to a miserable result, and he sincerely repents such
activities.”
(ISKCON GBC Resolution 303, Annual Meeting in Mayapura, India,
February 7-19, 2001)
Sexuality is problematic in Vaishnavism since achieving liberation
requires the abandonment of all material desires and attachments. While
the above standard of “sex for procreation only” may
seem extreme or even impossible to many aspiring devotees,
it should not be taken as a cause for discouragement. In
Krsna consciousness and daiva-varnasrama in general,
there is a place for everyone whether they are renounced, fallen,
or anywhere in between, and it is recognized that some devotees
will be able to adopt the above standard immediately whereas
others attain it gradually after years of devotional practice
and purification.
GALVA has always encouraged its members to engage in devotional
service and renounce material desires as far as possible, according
to their ability and nature. This is best executed from
either a celibate status or in something analogous to a heterosexual
monogamous situation. While many of our members practice
strict celibacy, others find the latter situation more helpful
and realistic for their advancement in Krsna consciousness. Same-sex
couples centering their household on Krsna and practicing celibacy
together surely fall in line with the above-mentioned standard. Similarly,
any couple—gay or straight—having sex for purposes
other than procreation is considered in breach of the standard. Nevertheless,
as mentioned above, such persons should continue in their service
to Krsna despite “not fully discharging the injunctions
of the Lord” or “sometimes engaging in sense enjoyment.” By
keeping the ultimate goal of complete renunciation in mind
and continuing on with devotional service to the best of their
ability, the sincere couple will gradually be promoted to the
stage of pure Krsna consciousness.
GALVA believes that householder life and marriage are crucial
components of Krsna consciousness that should not be denied
to anyone. In the Seventh Chapter of his book, Jaiva
Dharma, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura states that all living
entities have the right to practice Vaishnavism and live as
householders, even if they are outside of the ordinary varnasrama system. He
also describes how marriage is primarily for Krsna conscious
partnership: “One should not enter marriage with a desire
to beget children, or to worship the forefathers and Prajapatis. It
is favorable to bhakti to think, ‘I am only
accepting this servant of Krsna so that we can assist each
other in Krsna’s service and establish Krsna-centered
family life together.’” Bodily considerations
such as gender or whether or not a couple will have children
and sex are less important than the two principles stated above. In
ISKCON, for example, people who are sterile or beyond childbearing
age are not prohibited from marriage, and neither are marriages
terminated if they are childless or less than ideal in terms
of sex. GALVA believes that the same understanding and
tolerance should be extended toward gay and lesbian devotees—their
need for marital companionship in Krsna consciousness should
be recognized and they can adopt children, etc. This
will be more helpful to their spiritual advancement than excluding
them from marriage, encouraging artificial renunciation, or
forcing them into unhappy and unnatural opposite-sex marital
arrangements. As the same-sex couple matures both physically
and spiritually they can gradually transcend all mundane sexuality
and attachment, just as other couples do.
GALVA acknowledges the reservations some devotees have about
same-sex marriage based upon Srila Prabhupada’s initial
reaction to the subject in the 1970s. At the same time,
it should be pointed out that Srila Prabhupada never discussed
this issue in any detail with his gay and lesbian disciples. We
are reminded of when Srila Prabhupada first told his disciples
to chant sixty-four rounds daily, but then later amended this
to sixteen after listening to their feedback; or when he first
granted brahminical initiation to men only, but then changed
his mind and agreed to include women after hearing the pleas
of his female disciples. GALVA hopes the Vaishnava community
will similarly consider same-sex marriage carefully, on a personal
level, and do what is best. There are also local considerations
of custom and law. In some countries, temples find it
needful to acknowledge same-sex unions, at least on a congregational
level, whereas in others they are obliged to deny them. Similarly,
some Gaudiya Vaishnava groups are favorable to same-sex marriage
while others remain opposed or undecided. GALVA therefore
advises its members requiring same-sex marriage and householder
life to seek out the most conducive environment and Vaishnava
support possible.
|
