The Dalai Lama Is Okay With Gay Marriage
The Dalai Lama, who is touring the U.S. this week, led the customary prayer that opens every Senate session in Washington on Thursday. Afterwards, the 78 year old Nobel laureate was questioned about a Larry King Live spot that he was on last week where the religious leader said that same-sex marriage is “OK,” and “an individual’s business”” for consenting adults, but believes that the decision to legalize it is up to governments.
He also condemned homophobia and bullying of the LGBT community. “That is wrong,” the Dalai Lama stressed. “That’s a violation of human rights.” However, when the leader was asked to comment on the issue of Russia’s infamous anti-gay law, in comparison to the increasing number of same-sex marriage laws in states in the US, he said that he felt traditions should be protected, and that it was, in his opinion, a personal matter.
The Dalai Lama, who fled from Tibet to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, and who like all Tibetan Monks is celibate himself added, “People who have belief or who have special traditions, then you should follow according to your own tradition. Like Buddhism, there are different kinds of sexual misconduct, so you should follow properly.”
Considered as one of the most prominent leaders in Buddhism, The Dalai Lama’s views on gay marriage go against those of many predominantly Buddhist nations, which forbid such unions.
His visit to the US saw him risk the wrath of China, who have named him an enemy of the state, determined to seek Tibetan independence.
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