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Transforming Sexual Energy
The cause of family breakdown and many mishaps in the Sangha is not necessarily due to ordination itself, but rather due to a lack of methods for managing sexual energy, because this is a natural function that exists in both our human and animal nature. Over 2,600 years of tradition, the Sangha has developed insight to manage this energy, from moderate eating, conserving vital energy, to the practice of walking meditation, sitting meditation, and open dialogue. In Plum Village, it has been recorded that in 22 years, three young monks and two young nuns had to “return home” because they did not wholeheartedly engage in the practice, and we always organize a tea meditation to bid farewell in a spirit of protection, not punishment.
Compared to the three Catholic orders, each code of conduct mentions chastity and concepts such as exclusive relationship or inclusive love, showing that Buddhism stands out with the four elements of true love:
- loving-kindness (maitri)
- compassion (karuna)
- joy (mudita)
- equanimity (upekkha)
Daily practice and measures to protect the Sangha include:
- observing the precept on sexual misconduct, and revealing when necessary to the Sangha in order to be rescued
- organizing tea meditation, New Year’s Day ceremonies with the Eight Reverences and a commitment to mutual protection
- studying medicine and psychology to understand the consequences of nocturnal emission, conserving vital energy, and transforming sexual energy (sublimation)
- establishing an internal committee in collaboration with outside experts to build training programs and Dharma discussions on sexual energy
