SOA | Marriage and the Family

Question 1

SOA that supports marriage what it shows and its significance

Answer 1

Dhamanada says ‘ the buddha never spoke against married life (…) but gave necessary advice’

• It shows that the buddha agreed with marriage as he gave advice on how to treat one’s partner in the Sigalovada Sutta
• This is significant as it shows that it shows that the Buddha did not condemn marriage

Question 2

SOA that is against marriage, what it means and its significance- attachment

Answer 2

’ attachment is the root of suffering’
This means that attachment is what causes suffering and inhibits enlightenment.
- this is significant as the act of marriage implies that a person is more attached to the physical world rather than achieving enlightenment therefore we should rid ourselves of attachment

Question 3

SOA that supports celibacy and what it shows

Answer 3

The Para bhava sutta warns that marriage and the expectations of fidelity might cause harm or suffering to men
This shows that one should avoid relationships and live a celibate life to prevent suffering

Question 4

SOA for sexual relationships- Sangharasita

Answer 4

Sangharasita: sexual relationships “need to be kept at the periphery of one’s life”

Question 5

SOA for sexual relationships and for homosexuality and its significance-hint: individuality

Answer 5

’ be a refuge unto yourself’
- this shows that the buddha taught how to use your own judgements about religious and moral teachings and to follow your own path.

Question 6

SOA for homosexuality and what it shows

Answer 6

if two men really love each other , then that is okay with me - The Dalai Lama

• this shows that as long as metta and karuna are showed and the relationship avoids dukkha for both parties than it is okay

Question 7

SOA for a nuclear family model what it shows and its significance

Answer 7

sigalovada sutta
- This teaching from the Buddha teaches Buddhists how families should treat one another.
it is significant as it is supporting the idea of a traditional nuclear family and that this arguably is the ideal.

Question 8

SOA for the three refuges

Answer 8

’ i go for refuge to the buddha , the dhamma , the sangha)

Question 9

SOA- what does the soma sutta teach - include quote

Answer 9

soma sutta - ‘ am i a man or a woman… or am i even something at all ‘
- this shows that those who truly understood the dhamma would realise that gender does not matter due to anatta (there is no soul) so anyone can be enlightened regardless of gender

Question 10

SOA against gender equality and what it shows

Answer 10

a nun that has been ordained for even a 100 years would still not be able to advise nor critique a bhikkhu who had been ordained for one day.

This shows Bhikkhunis are still seen as subordinate to bhikkhus no matter how experienced they are as they do not have the same authority and are seen as inferior

Question 11

SOA against divorce and what it shows

Answer 11

If people follow the advice of the Buddha, then divorce would never happen in the first place’ - A Happily Married life by Ven K. Sri. Dhamanada

This shows that if the marriage had adhered to the Buddha’s teachings in the Sigalovada Sutta then divorce would not be needed, therefore one should aim to follow the Buddha’s advice rather than divorcing.