Sex and Masculinity in Buddhism and the Control of Sex among Monks, Novices and Pandaka

Abstract

This paper is aimed to reinvestigate and reconsider the different thoughts of sex and masculinity found in various Buddhist sects, which are affected through controlling and regulating sexual behaviors and masculine body of monks, novices and Pandaka. The Foucauldian critical approach is taken to be use of analysis that indicate the discursive logic and idea of sexuality and eroticism dispersed and enacted by institutionalized Buddhist doctrine and traditional Thai bureaucracy. Both of them control and manage sexual behaviors, desire, and masculinity of Buddhist monks and novices which produce prejudice and negative attitude toward same-sex eroticism and cross-gender practices