‘Coyote’ Dancing Monk

[bankei]

There is a recent news article on the Buddhist TV channel concerning a ‘coyote’ dancing monk. The monk was video taped dancing around in his temple in Bangkok (I did a search but was unable to find the video – please don’t search ‘coyote dancing’ on youtube as you will be pleasantly sidetracked).

What is interesting about the news article is

1. The monk was a senior monk with the title “Maha”, and
   
2. The article is mainly about ‘gay’ monks in the Sangha.
   

Somehow the author has conflated a dancing monk with being ‘gay’.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=52,10673,0,0,1,0

What do you think?

Bankei

[camerata]

I agree. It is not stated, but seems to be assumed, that the dancing monk is gay. If he isn't, he may well have just been imitating the famous "dancing policeman" of a few years ago. The article then goes on to talk mainly about gays. The article is right, though, that the problem is discipline. Gay or not, wearing makeup is not what monks are supposed to do. IMO, with fewer men wanting to become monks, and temples closing down, the Sangha is afraid to crack down on wayward monks.

[khaowong1]

I heard something about this on the radio and asked my abbot about it. He didn't want to talk about it. :-)

[tombkk]

I agree with the article that the problem is not whether a monk is gay or not. Let me quote this: "However, Mr Tavivat points out that anybody - men or women, gay or straight - has equal potential to attain spiritual liberation."

The article implies that the dancing monk is gay. Hm. Maybe he is indeed, but in fact that would have nothing to do with it.

[rockyysdt]

I'd imagine that the Monk dances is also an issue.

The 227 precepts also includes such things as:

When in public will

2)I will properly restrain the movements of hands and feet

3) I will keep my eyes looking down.

7) I will not sway my body about.

8) I will not swing my arms about.

9) I will not shake my head about.

10) I will not put my arms akimbo.

All of which may constitute dancing.

Edited January 21, 2012 by rockyysdt

[tombkk]

I'd imagine that the Monk dances is also an issue.

The 227 precepts also includes such things as:

When in public will

2)I will properly restrain the movements of hands and feet

3) I will keep my eyes looking down.

7) I will not sway my body about.

8) I will not swing my arms about.

9) I will not shake my head about.

10) I will not put my arms akimbo.

All of which may constitute dancing.

I didn't know that, but you may be right.

When I was a monk, the temple upcountry (is that an English word? I think "in the outback" is easier to understand) did not teach us all of the 227 precepts.

[bankei]

I'd imagine that the Monk dances is also an issue.

The 227 precepts also includes such things as:

When in public will

2)I will properly restrain the movements of hands and feet

3) I will keep my eyes looking down.

7) I will not sway my body about.

8) I will not swing my arms about.

9) I will not shake my head about.

10) I will not put my arms akimbo.

All of which may constitute dancing.

Yes dancing is the issue. Monks just don't dance! Its unheard of (and maybe gay too).

Also one of the 10 precepts.

[fabianfred]

I'd imagine that the Monk dances is also an issue.

The 227 precepts also includes such things as:

When in public will

2)I will properly restrain the movements of hands and feet

3) I will keep my eyes looking down.

7) I will not sway my body about.

8) I will not swing my arms about.

9) I will not shake my head about.

10) I will not put my arms akimbo.

All of which may constitute dancing.

The above are a part of the 75 Sekkiya trainings which apply also to Novices as well as monks.

As to whether somebody is Gay or not....as long as they are remaining celibate it doesn't matter about their inclinations.

[necronx99]

When I was a monk, the temple upcountry (is that an English word? I think "in the outback" is easier to understand) did not teach us all of the 227 precepts.

Upcountry is the correct English word.

Outback is typically an Australian term for our own remote areas. An Australian would not use the term Outback to describe a remote area in another country.