Buddhist monks and nuns – although they possess bodies with sexual organs – are fully detached from inner desire and outer sexual function. In a very real sense they are “asexual” – or perhaps “pan-sexual”, etc. The Buddha explains the strict path of the Dharma which leads to Enlightenment – but also states that like a raft used to cross a stream – once the job is done, the raft (Dharma) is no longer required. It is the crossing of the chopping waves that a strict inner and outer discipline is needed that “stills” the mind and “empties” it of thought. The human body still exists in the material world when the Theravada Path has done its job – and this is why the Mahayana and Tantrayana Paths exist.
Although the Theravada believes that the six senses must be kept clean by a continuous disassociation with the outside world to avoid regression – the Mahayana and Tantrayana both teach that once the six senses are purified by emptying the mind of greed, hatred and delusion, the mind and body remains permanently “clean” in all situations (with no regression). In other words, even by engaging in the outside world as lay-people – the six senses of those who are enlightened will never become sullied. This reality can be seen in the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra and the Altar Sutra – as well as in the stories of the Mahasiddhis. Monastics can return to lay-life – but lay-people – given the right conditions, can also fully realise Enlightenment!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 