Celibacy

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A story is told of Buddha who possessed so much power that he could fly, until he saw a beautiful woman with whom he was tempted to have sexual relation, a one night stand perhaps. The legend goes that Buddha was barred from attaining Nirvana for a thousand years for giving in to the temptation of the flesh. In most religions, a priest is prohibited to perform rites, if he has had sexual relation with his wife. Saint Paul discouraged marriage, for he believed the world was about to end. This abstinence from sexual relations differs from tradition to tradition. Some may call it continence; others prefer to term it as celibacy or chastity. In the Catholic tradition, celibacy is abstinence from sexual relations for a higher purpose. It has become a charism for its clergy. For the women religious order, chastity, which presupposes physical virginity, is also required. In the Muslim tradition, while not getting married is not punishable, celibacy has not been encouraged. On the contrary, marriage has been deemed as an act of worship. To be un-married is not an act of worship at all. In the 4th Lateran Council, celibacy was imposed on Catholic clergy, be they secular or religious. The main argument for celibacy was its emphasis on availability and dedication of the people of God which were the core value of the Gospel. This was after the whole issue of inheritance of the heirs of the married bishops and priests had been resolved. Celibacy strengthens the ascetism that clergy should have an undivided mind in the service of the people of God. Photo credits: Pixabay