Sri Rama Ramanuja Acharya
[Sri Rama Ramanuja Acharya (Ram Sivan) is a disciple of H.H. Yatiraja Jiyar Swamigal in the Sri Vaishnava line and the Australian Representative and Initiating Acharya of the Sriperumbudur Yatiraja Matham.]
“Being non-dogmatic and non-institutional, there can be no official Hindu dogma or position on the subject of homosexuality or ‘gay marriage.’ The Abrahamic communities are turning themselves inside out over the subject, arguing that homosexually is a sin and against the natural order.
“Firstly, to judge whether something is morally wrong or right we need to establish that there was free will and ability to choose in the matter. The Hindu scriptures declare homosexuality an orientation that is karmically predisposed and not a matter of choice:
The Self, which is enveloped by ignorance, is sometimes embodied as a male, sometimes as a female and sometimes as a homosexual (ubhaya). According to its deeds and the nature one acquires thereby, one may be born as a god, a human or a beast.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 4.29.29)
Whatever the sexual orientation of the child whether it be male, female or homosexual (napumsaka), it is born in the ninth or the tenth month.
(Garuda Purana 2.32.29)
“In fact, one need not refer to scripture for support when every homosexual will testify that they had no choice in the matter! The ‘against the natural order’ argument also does not stand because every aspect of human life is against the natural order—from clothing to housing to food etc.
“Secondly, the Acharyas and Alvars have mentioned everything conducive to our spiritual life including obstacles thereto, but nowhere have any of them discussed homosexuality per se; it is therefore a matter of no consequence whatsoever.
“Hinduism is concerned with Liberation—liberation from suffering here and now and avoidance of rebirth:
If one desires the highest goal, which is communion with Me (Krishna), one should develop a focused mind, subdue the senses and strive to perfect non-attachment.
However, if this regime is practiced without devotion to Me—despite having knowledge and whether man, woman or homosexual—it will not yield rewards.
(Varaha Purana 142.50)
“What is required for communion with Krishna is primarily Bhakti—devotion that leads to focusing the mind on Him, subduing the senses and developing non-attachment to material things.
“One of the greatest of the Sri Vaishnava Acharyas—Pillai Lokacharya—was of the view that all forms of sensuality and self-enjoyment are incompatible with our essential nature, which is to find our delight in and be a source of pleasure to Krishna alone.
“But in an imperfect world we should at least try and maintain the highest Dharmic standards in all our relationships with whomsoever they may be.”
(Official statement for GALVA, July, 2008)
Swami Bodhananda Sarasvati
[Swami Bodhananda Sarasvati is a Vedanta master
in the Sarasvati line, sannyasa disciple of Swami Chinmayananda,
and founder of the Sambodh Foundation with worldwide branches.]
“There is no official position in Hinduism. From
a spiritual or even ethical standpoint, we don’t find
anything wrong in it. We don’t look at the body
or the memories; we always look at everyone as spirit…It’s
a Christian idea that it is wrong. From a Hindu standpoint,
there is nothing wrong because there is nothing against it
in scripture…Different priests may or may not perform
same-sex weddings—it is their individual choice because
there is no one position or one head of Hinduism. I am
not opposed to relationships or unions—people’s karma brings
them together. Sexual attraction is not under your control…Everyone
comes into the world with their own set of needs and talents,
and tries to fulfill their needs and express their talents
in relationships with others. The problems are the same,
whether in a gay marriage or a heterosexual marriage.
“We have to face this issue now…I am sure
spiritual persons will have no objection when two people come
together. But it is a social stigma…So what is
required is a debate in society. I have not debated it
enough. I have to do that. I have a lot of people
confiding to me, ‘I am very worried. I am gay. What
should I do now?’ I ask them to relax, ascertain
their feelings, and not to worry; there is nothing wrong in
that.”
(Love’s Rite: Same-Sex Marriage in
India and the West by Ruth Vanita, pp. 307-308)
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
[Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami is a sannyasa disciple of Jnanaguru Yogaswami of the Nandinatha Sampradaya and founder of the Saiva Siddhanta Church.]
“Intensely personal matters of sex as they affect the family or individual are not legislated, but left to the judgment of those involved, subject to community laws and customs. Hinduism neither condones nor condemns birth control, sterilization, masturbation, homosexuality, petting, polygamy or pornography. It does not exclude or draw harsh conclusions against any part of human nature, though scripture prohibits adultery and forbids abortion except to save a mother’s life. Advice in such matters should be sought from parents, elders and spiritual leaders. The only rigid rule is wisdom, guided by tradition and virtue. The Vedas beseech, ‘May all the divine powers together with the waters join our two hearts in one! May the Messenger, the Creator and holy Obedience unite us.’ Aum Namah Sivaya.”
“Sons and daughters who are gay may not benefit from marriage, and should be taught to remain loyal in relationships and be prepared to cope with community challenges.”
(Dancing With Siva: Hinduism’s Contemporary Catechism by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, pp. 217, 245)
Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati
[Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati is a disciple of Neem Karoli Baba
in the line of Swami Nityananda of Ganeshpuri. She is
a devotee of goddess Kali and founder of Kashi Ashram.]
Namaste my chelas all over the world,
Your Ma has written that God has no gender and has the freedom
of diversity.
When you are in the full light of God and Goddess,
you truly have no gender; therefore, there is no prejudice
or bigotry in your life.
There is such a freedom of diversity simply because there
are no boundaries.
Thick boundaries are the dark lines that keep one in the Karmic
Spaces of Duality.
In the beginning days of my Teaching, and before that, I had
the awareness to understand that the Soul kept no gender and
had no gender to keep.
My own Swami Nityananda speaks of this in His original book
of the Chidakasha Gita.
And so your Ma went into shock when I saw and heard so much
prejudice against Gays, Lesbians and all who are in between.
Instead of understanding and accepting others no matter what
their sexual orientation, so many spiritual leaders have blasted
them and continue to lock their church doors to this community.
And so your Ma picked up the sword and will never, ever, put
it down until all peoples of the world are treated the same.
Interfaith teaching is not just about the different religions;
it is about the diversity and the beauty of knowing all the
different paths of life.
Homosexuality is not a choice of human beings; it is the choice
of God and Goddess.
I will fight for the right of my gay children all of my life
and then from my own death.
For this is the way so many labels are formed and so many
groups are feeling the pain of bigotry.
I have blessed and will continue to bless the marriages of
so many of my children who are gay, and in doing this I will
bless the world of diversity.
My Pujas and Prayers go out to my Beloved Mother Ganga, who
is my life’s flow of non-duality.
I ask the flowing mother to bring peace to all my children’s
hearts and to all peoples of the world.
This is my Puja and this is my Prayer.
I love you all so very much.
Love, Ma Jaya
(Kashi Darshan Line, January 11, 2005)
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