Introducing Buddha: A Graphic Guide (Graphic Guides)

by Borin Van Loon

Many Westerners, having seen Tibetan art showing deities in embrace, have the mistaken idea that Tibetan Buddhism is mainly concerned with sexual practices. This is far from the truth. The art actually represents the experience of total unity of the enlightened state in symbolic form. However, sexuality is not rejected and is used as part of the path. For example, one of the siddhas, Bebhaha was described as being intoxicated with sex. His teacher instructed him: Perceive intercourse as not merely a pleasant interlude, but as spiritual practice of the highest order. Raise the pleasure beyond pleasure and visualize that pleasure as being inseparable from emptyness. After 12 years training in this technique, Babhaha attained awakening. Celibacy is seen as a genuine option for a practitioner. It is not motivated by a disgust for sexuality or aversion to the body, but a genuine recognition of the ability to harness the power of sexual desire. Within Vajrayana, however, if celibacy sours a person, he or she would be encouraged to take a sexual partner.