[Buddha-l] Re: Rational or mythological Buddhism and Western Buddhist lay practice

[Mikael Aktor]

Richard P. Hayes wrote:

>On Fri, 2005-03-25 at 15:50 +0100, Mikael Aktor wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Also in monastic Buddhism I guess there is a reason for demanding
>>celibacy, and if the Milindapañha denies that celibacy is a 
>>prerequisite for higher goals, there is the more reason to ask why it 
>>should  be demanded at all.
>>    
>>
>
>That is very easy. Monks begged for a living and could not as easily do
>so if they had dependants, such as wives, mistresses, children or even
>pet animals.
>  
>

OK, if we talk about celibacy. But what is demanded is sexual abstinence 
in all forms (of which quite a lot have nothing to do with reproduction).

mikael


-- 
Mikael Aktor, Assistant Lecturer, PhD
Department of Religious Studies
University of Southern Denmark
Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark

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