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Hindu Tradition

Why does Hinduism so readily accept transgender spirituality?

Hinduism is the world's third largest religion (after Christianity and Islam), having about a billion followers.  More than four thousand years ago, the sages of ancient India expressed their mystical insights in lofty Sanskrit poems and teachings that were later compiled into four scriptures known as the Vedas. 

Hindus do not cling to any particular doctrine, creed, or religious hierarchy. Their religion embraces a plethora of teachings – many forms of God and worship, differing systems of theology, cosmology, and eschatology (theories of salvation) – all based on the ancient Vedas.  Hinduism’s diversity is an expression of a central principle – its recognition of human diversity. It affirms that we are all unique individuals and have differing needs, including differing religious and spiritual needs.

Therefore, Hindu spiritual teachings encompass many traditions, techniques, and practices, each suitable for certain individuals.  For example, spiritual practices like karma yoga often recommended for active persons, while meditation is suggested for contemplative people, devotional worship for those who are more emotional, and spiritual wisdom for those who are more intellectual. 

For those who happen to be transgendered, there are practices uniquely suited for such individuals - the practices of gopi bhâva and manjari bhâva, described on the following two web pages.

Tritiya-prakriti, the Third-sex

In his excellent book, Tritiya Prakriti: People of the Third Sex, Hindu scholar Amara Das Wilhelm writes -

Throughout Vedic literature, the sex or gender of the human being is clearly divided into three separate categories according to prakriti or nature.  These are pums-prakriti or male, stri-prakriti or female, and tritiya-prakriti or the third sex.  (page 4)

Most Hindus believe that the karmas with which we are born determine many aspects of our lives, including our sexuality and gender identity.  This belief is probably the basis for wider social acceptance than found in some other cultures. 

Many third-sex characters, both historical and mythological, are discussed in Hindu scriptures.  A passage from the Kama Sutra not only acknowledges the tritiya-prakriti, but describes those we now call male-to-female transgendered persons -

People of the third sex (tritiya-prakriti) are of two kinds, according to whether their appearance is masculine or feminine. Those with a feminine appearance show it by their dress, speech, laughter, behavior, gentleness, lack of courage, silliness, patience and modesty.  (2.9.1-2)

Hindu acceptance of the third-sex is nicely illustratated in a story from the great epic, Mahabharata.  The mighty warrior Arjuna was forced to live incognito in a neighboring kingdom.  Arjuna chose to disguise himself as Brihannala, a transsexual dance teacher.  He presented himself to the king but did not pass very well because of his large, muscular body.  Yet the king warmly accepted Brihannala, as Amara Das Wilhelm explains –

The king was surprised yet pleased with Arjuna’s manner of speaking and agreed that he should live among the palace women and instruct them in singing and dancing.… It is important to note that the king addressed Brihannala as a female, accepting her transgender nature.  He did not ridicule or belittle her. (page 23).

Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON), was an orthodox guru in the Gaudia Vaishnava tradition.  In spite of his orthodoxy, he expressed a surprising degree of understanding and acceptance of his Western GLBT followers.  On several occasions he told a gay disciple to “find a nice boy, settle down, and practice Krishna consciousness.”  In a letter to a transgendered disciple who was considering whether or not to undergo gender reassignment surgery, he wrote –

First of all, you decide whether you are male or female, then be one or the other.  Then you may enter our temple anytime you like.  But sometimes man, and sometimes woman, that is not proper.  Such awkward things cannot be allowed.  It will be disturbing to others. (June 10, 1975, quoted in Wilhelm, page 246)

In spite of all this, society in India today exhibits much homophobia and transphobia, like many traditional cultures.  Scholars have suggested that these attitudes are not indigenous, but are the result of foreign influences, especially of the Victorian-era British who ruled India then.  Fortunately, India’s culture is rapidly evolving to become more accepting of GLBT persons.

Resources:

Homosexuality and Hinduism  - article in Wikipedia.

Gay and Lesbian Vaisnava Association (GALVA)  - excellent resource on unconventional gender and sexuality in Hinduism.

Confessions of a Tantric Androgyne - Ganapati Sivananda Durgadas gives his fascinating autobiographical account (archived pages)

Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex - Understanding Homosexuality, Transgender Identity, and Intersex Conditions through Hinduism by Amara Das Wilhelm (Philadelphia: Xlibris Corporation, 2003) available on amazon.com.   (Highly recommended) 

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