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masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:34 am
by sundara
What's wrong to masturbate once in a while, what has buddhism got to say about that?

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:12 am
by Ceisiwr
Nothing if your a layman



If your a monk its a no no


However it is engaging in lust, so we should work towards going beyond sexual desire, but nothing "evil" with the act itself (as a layman/woman)


metta

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:19 am
by BlackBird
Well, If you're a layperson there's no rule against it. Plain and simple. The Buddha never made a rule prohibiting the lay person observing the 5 precepts from engaging in masturbation.

From a Dhamma perspective: The process of masturbation and sex relys upon desire, specficially sensual desire.
What is said about sensual pleasures?

From my understanding it is that partaking in sensuality, reinforces sensuality in the future.
To cut it short: It's habit forming, and that habit won't make you happy.

The drawbacks of sensuality are that it binds us to the sensual world, it causes attachment. Craving for sensuality is one of the things that binds one to the wheel of suffering. Furthermore, the pleasure gained from masturbation, or any sensuality for that matter - Is fleeting, inconstant, it is only for a brief time. Why partake in something that offers you only brief pleasure, when far greater happiness awaits, practising the Noble Eightfold Path.

Here is the index of Sutta's relating to this topic:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/index-su ... sensuality" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The sutta's would much better elucidate what I am attempting to convey to you. I also hope you can forgive me for being such a hypocrite. It's one thing to see the truth (however dusty my eyes are), it's another to practise it. I have to admit; I am just as bound to sensuality as the next man. From it, I can say one thing though - It's caused me much more grief than pleasure...

Be well
Jack

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:16 am
by kc2dpt
sundara wrote:What's wrong to masturbate once in a while?
Who said it's wrong?

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:30 am
by Ben
Perhaps 'wrong' is the wrong word.
At the very least, its unskilful and unwholesome as it creates powerful sankharas of lust that are difficult to eradicate.
My guess is that it is more wholesome to abstain and to develop perfect sila.
Kind regards

Ben

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 3:42 am
by Dhammakid
I can attest to the scourge that sensual desire - particularly sexual - is on the development of sila, panna and samadhi. Masturbation especially, it is so very habit forming and quite addictive. Not to mention how it leads one to watching pornography which could be interpreted as sexual misconduct, although I'm not totally sure on that one.

:anjali:
Dhammakid

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 5:53 am
by Prasadachitta
Hi,

Masterbation is an intoxicating activity. In my experience it reduces my energy for the good. I don't think it is appropriate to vilify it as an activity. There is much which is intoxicating and energy sapping in the unenlightened quest for temporary satisfaction. On the other hand without vilifying this simple mundane but pleasurable activity I think we can uphold the beauty and value of a person who uses restraint and the cultivation of contentment with the purpose of realizing Dhamma for the benefit of us all. In other words we can promote refraining from sexual activity in order to put time and energy into what has true value without having to make people feel bad about what is already a frustrating enough situation. I am referring to the situation of being human.

Kindly

Gabe

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:31 am
by mikenz66
gabrielbranbury wrote: Masterbation is an intoxicating activity. In my experience it reduces my energy for the good. I don't think it is appropriate to vilify it as an activity....
I agree. It's not "wrong" but it's a time-wasting and rather useless activity. As with many other activities, if it becomes obsessive then it really is a problem and can mess up the way you view the opposite sex. Not to mention messing up your meditation...

If you do masturbate then be careful what your fantasy objects are. It would be judicious to not have fantasies that would be misconduct in "real life".

Metta
Mike

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:10 am
by Ben
Great advice
mikenz66 wrote:
gabrielbranbury wrote: Masterbation is an intoxicating activity. In my experience it reduces my energy for the good. I don't think it is appropriate to vilify it as an activity....
I agree. It's not "wrong" but it's a time-wasting and rather useless activity. As with many other activities, if it becomes obsessive then it really is a problem and can mess up the way you view the opposite sex. Not to mention messing up your meditation...

If you do masturbate then be careful what your fantasy objects are. It would be judicious to not have fantasies that would be misconduct in "real life".

Metta
Mike
I'd even go so far Mike to say its probably better to not have any fantasy at all, and try and maintain awareness of the physical sensation while trying to develop equanimity towards it. Try and see it as it actually is.
Metta

Ben

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:36 am
by mikenz66
Ben wrote: I'd even go so far Mike to say its probably better to not have any fantasy at all, and try and maintain awareness of the physical sensation while trying to develop equanimity towards it. Try and see it as it actually is.
True, that would be the ideal (short of complete abstinence). However, that would be a rather "advanced practise" for most of us... :thinking:

In my experience, the development of concentration and mindfulness is very helpful in preventing the arising (or at least the continuation) of unwanted desires. And some basic body contemplation can be quite effective in an emergency, such as during a meditation session. I don't find any need to go beyond the "Skin Pentad": Head hair, body hair, nails, skin, teeth.

Metta
Mike

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:56 pm
by Individual
sundara wrote:What's wrong to masturbate once in a while, what has buddhism got to say about that?
Sexual activity encourages sensual desire. For laypeople, it is expected that they will engage in such behavior, but monks fully devote themselves to enlightenment and are therefore abstinent.

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:21 pm
by Ben
Individual wrote: For laypeople, it is expected that they will engage in such behavior...
Says who?
I know plenty of lay-people who are completely celebate!

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:45 pm
by kc2dpt
While the answers given so far have been spot on Dhamma, I'm still waiting for a clarification of the question from the original poster (OP). I'm certain the question is based on some misunderstanding or something misheard or taken out of context.

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:53 pm
by Prasadachitta
mikenz66 wrote:
I agree. It's not "wrong" but it's a time-wasting and rather useless activity. As with many other activities, if it becomes obsessive then it really is a problem and can mess up the way you view the opposite sex. Not to mention messing up your meditation...
Mike
Has this been your experience Mike?
mikenz66 wrote: If you do masturbate then be careful what your fantasy objects are. It would be judicious to not have fantasies that would be misconduct in "real life".

Metta
Mike
[/quote]
Of course I readily agree with this. This is what I believe to be the more acutely problematic issue and it is closely related to masturbation but not one and the same.

Kindly

Gabriel

Re: masturbation what's wrong?

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:21 pm
by mikenz66
gabrielbranbury wrote: Has this been your experience Mike?
At times, and it's related to the issue of what your fantasy objects are...

Mike