Buddhist Leaders Accept Equal Marriage

Dalai Lama accepts civil marriage, Thich Nhat Hanh goes further

Ottawa—In an interview with the Vancouver Sun last weekend, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that while Tibetan Buddhism frowns on marriage for same-sex couples, “whether or not homosexual couples should be accorded a marriage status, should really be dealt within [a] particular community and country.”
“It is heartening to know that such a highly respected religious and moral leader as the Dalai Lama has no problem with equal marriage for same-sex couples,” said Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director of Egale Canada. “Regardless of what is right for him, he does not condemn others who have a different perspective. Rather, he believes that love, compassion and altruism are the fundamental basis for peace.”
“Some Buddhist leaders support equal marriage within their religious tradition,” said Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy of Egale Canada. “One example is a Vietnamese monk named Thich Nhat Hanh. He fought against the Vietnamese war and was chair of the Vietnamese Buddhist Peace Delegation to the Paris Peace Talks. The Vietnamese government refused to let him back in the country and so he lives in exile in France, in a community called Plum Village. He has authored over 75 books. He is currently 77 years old. In the Plum Village Chanting and Recitation book is a ‘Wedding Ceremony’. Under the title, in brackets, it reads ‘adapt as appropriate for couples of the same gender’.”
“Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most respected Buddhist leaders in the world,” continued Mr. Arron. “He was nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr. for the Nobel Peace Prize and his books have given him a following around the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself wrote the forward to Peace is Every Step.”
“What all of this shows is that there is no need for religious leaders to fear equal marriage for same-sex couples,” said Mr. Marchildon. “There is no need to force their views on the rest of the world. Rather, peace and understanding are best achieved when we let people decide for themselves how to live their lives, and support them in so doing.”
For more information:
Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director, Egale: 613.864.1133 (c)
Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy, Egale: 416.839.7178 (c)