Hopefully one of these damned threads will get your attention...

How do human sexual relations fit into the worldview of different non-abrahamic philosophies. Are there specific taboos or restrictions?

Is sex 'sacred'? Do the modern, secular western portrayals of sex in popular culture cause offense to non-abrahamic religions the way they do to the 'big three'?

MadM-

I will only speak of the things I know and specifically within Wicca and most other "pagan" or New Age revivalist religions sex is considered sacred, but no exclusive to the rights of marriage. The art of Kundalini meditation (Hindu) very much centers around the sexual act and it's awakening power of the 1st Chakra at the base to the spine. It is used in meditative practice to release the godess - oh and it's been a while - Shakti or Kali - can't remember right now.

In Wicca sex can be used for magickal rights. Beltane is the fertility festival held at the beginning of May (May Eve) and meditations on sex are used in ritual. There is no forbodance against same sex relations or even multiple sexual partners - if one so desires. Sex is seen as a powerful energy that unites two people (or more) and enhances magic. Participation in this is NOT required! Basically, whatever it is that floats your boat, as long as it is not destructive to yourself or another - go with it.

Wicca does not supress the female or male sexual energy and it's not seen as this dirty, immoral act. It is considered a fertility rite, not just for procreation but also for the creative juices (forgive the pun) of the soul and deepening and strengthening relationships. Embrace the goddess within kind of motto and let her rip!

I remember reading something about the ancient rights of Bacchus and they were pretty orgiastic and may have been the impitus for Catholicism making certain sexual rules to fight to pagan traditions of that specific community.

Let me see if I have any good Kundalini links at my disposal!

Brighid

I know that Hindu movies(Bollywood) do not contain sex, not usually even kissing. A lot of dancing and singing mostly. The young unmarried actresses are accompanied everywhere by older female chaparones.

http://hmt.com/kundalini/kundalini-faq.html

What is kundalini?
``Kundalini'' literally means coiling, like a snake. In the classical literature of hatha yoga kundalini is described as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine. The image of coiling, like a spring, conveys the sense of untapped potential energy. Perhaps more meaningfully kundalini can be described as a great reservoir of creative energy at the base of the spine. It's not useful to sit with our consciousness fixed in our head and think of kundalini as a foreign force running up and down our spine. Unfortunately the serpent image may serve to accentuate this alien nature of the image. It's more useful to think of kundalini energy as the very foundation of our consciousness so that when kundalini moves through our bodies our consciousness necessarily changes with it.
The concept of kundalini can also be examined from a strictly psychological perspective. From this perspective kundalini can be thought of as a rich source of psychic or libidinous energy in our unconscious.
In the classical literature of Kashmir Shaivism kundalini is described in three different manifestions. The first of these is as the universal energy or para-kundalini. The second of these is as the energizing function of the body-mind complex or prana-kundalini. The third of these is as consciousness or shakti-kundalini which simultaneously subsumes and intermediates between these two. Ultimately these three forms are the same but understanding these three different forms will help to understand the differerent manifestations of kundalini

Here are some links to tantric books regarding the sexual aspects mentioned: http://www.kundalini-tantra.com/bnbook1.html

Check out the Rig Veda (Hindu Scripture) – it is often used in Kundalini meditation.

ASPECTS OF TANTRIC SEX, an Introducton.
Health that mocks the doctor’s rules,
Knowledge never learned of schools.
John Greenleaf Whittier, The barefoot boy, Stanza 2
According to Tantric texts, there are eight aspects to the act of sexual intercourse.
1. Smarnanam. Allowing thoughts of sex to develop in the brain.
2. Kirtanam. Imaging sexual acts possible in the circumstances.
3. Keli. Finding the company of the possible sex partner.
4. Prekshenam. Flirting, getting the attention and energy joined with the potential sex partner (exhibitionism).
5. Guhya-bhashanam. Intimate conversation with the sex partner such that they understand and are willing partners in the sex act. This stage may be non-vocal and involve mutual touching, expressing agreement equally well.
6. Samkalpa. First stage of touching creating the arousal needed for the functioning of higher power liberation. Although touching may have already occured, this stage is the deliberate and open touching following agreement.
7. Adhyavasayam. Plateau stage of foreplay in which each partner now begins to desire orgasm through full wet sexual contact.
8. Kriyanishpatti. Full wet sexual contact leading toward orgasm without restraint of sexual activity.

Entering into any of these aspects of sexual intercourse is considered as having entered into some portion of sexual intercourse itself. This is not just according to Vedic Tantra but also according to most religions and it is noted in the Bible that even stage one (thinking of sex) is a sin (see Matthew 5:28). Well, Tantra does not consider sex a sin so those of you who are reading this have just been absolved of any sin for thinking “unclean” thoughts.
What a strange thing (unclean) to call any creation of God which is so integral to our human functioning. Through this “unclean,” “dirty,” “filthy,” and so on method are our beautiful children and the Children of God conceived.

Certainly sex can be used for harm. The modern churches and governments do so at many levels today and have done so for millenium. Even ordinary people have been caught up in the use of sex for harm and have so applied and used themselves and others. For each rose there are many thorns, for each beauty there is an opposite. Just as it is true that sex can be dirty, filthy, degrading, etc., so is sex beautiful, enlightening, cleansing, envigorating, etc., and the awareness that this can be should bring hope to even those who have never experienced the beautiful side of their (and other’s) sexual nature. In fact, the very thought that this could be changed from the teachings of church and state brings such joy and glory into my heart it is difficult for me to be still when all about exists the potential for happiness, energy, enlightenment, and so much more. I cannot understand how the world would move toward ugly and not beauty, accept lie and not truth, work in pain and not health, live in misery and not joy. What a strange place we are in.

The strength of the potential for health, energy, happiness, enlightenment, etc., lies in the quality and strength of the polarity involved in the sexual acts. So far as the quality of polarity, Tantric Scriptures specifically exclude the voluptuary, the drunkard, the lewd person, the glutton, the lecher, those who have not risen above shame, blame, guilt, anger, and other damaging impurities. Tantra specifically teaches purity as the major force for good and as the specific quality required for entering into the many aspects of the sexual activity God has bestowed on our human physical and spiritual bodies. Do not confuse the definition of purity with the church and government definition of purity. These forces for evil describe sexual purity as abstaining from all sex, including the very thinking of sex (something no one is capable of doing), giving them the opportunity of calling all people “evil,” “born in sin,” and many other degrading descriptions. This allows these evil machines to control the lives of the humans subject to the machinations of their greed and need for power.

http://www.kundalini-tantra.com/aspect8.html

Madmordigan,

Your topic has definitely attracted my attention and I shall now give my opinion on sex from the point of view of a Buddhist who practices a bit of Vajrayana and understands the odd bit of philosophy here and there.

Sex is nice, sex is okay.

Re: taboos & restrictions:

Sex with a partner is nice, sex with a partner is okay.

Sex with a victim is very, very, extremely dreadful and must never be perpetrated.

One should probably avoid bonking the rellies, especially first cousins and siblings, parents etc because teratogenesis augments the quantity of suffering in the world.

Toto

Modern India is still in the grips of the Victorian culture of the British Raj in many ways.

The Title caught my attention but your post(intelligent and thought provoking) made my day thanks ....



[This message has been edited by I_AM (edited June 06, 2001).]

Good Rules ... Is sex without a partner still sex ??? Just wondering not for myself but you see I have this friend who wants to know .....

I also have such a friend.

You can find stuff in Buddhist literature suggesting it's not altogether appropriate.

You can have the opinion that some Lamas were entitled to have an opinion about sundry issues.

It's absolutely not on if you're a monk! If you're not a monk, then you have no vows to the contrary so enjoy and don't worry about some Lama of some lineage's opinion....who knows? His colleagues in the lineage, his parents, siblings and vajra brothers/sisters may have thought him a prude.

Victorian culture? One would have thought a country that has one of the oldest & longest existing cultures would have more effect on Modern India rather than Victorian culture (which is but one of the many cultures assimilated during a long history)