Image Source: Harvard Divinity Bulletin
This blog explores the intersection of Buddhism and LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan, highlighting the pioneering role of Master Shih, a Buddhist nun and outspoken advocate for same-sex marriage equality. This blog illustrates how Shih challenges traditional notions of family and love within Buddhist teachings, emphasizing inclusivity and compassion. It also discusses the significance of Taiwan becoming the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage and how Shih’s activism, including performing the first same-sex Buddhist wedding in Taiwan, has helped shift societal attitudes and promote LGBTQ+ rights.
Section Overview:
- “In Buddhism, desire is not a sin.” – Shih Chao-hwei (釋昭慧).
- Same-sex Buddhist wedding in Taiwan Marks Progress for LGBTQ+ Rights.
- First Country in Asia to Legalize Same-sex Marriage.
Section 1. “In Buddhism, desire is not a sin.”
Master Shih, a Buddhist nun known for her progressive views, has long been an outspoken advocate for same-sex marriage equality in Taiwan. During a public hearing on the country’s same-sex marriage bill, her comments stunned listeners and sparked significant conversation. In her remarks, Shih challenged traditional views of family by saying, “A family has many functions. It is not always for the sake of combining a sperm and an egg, alright?”1 Her words emphasize the idea that family, far from being limited to reproduction, serves a broader social and emotional purpose.
We should “put ourselves lower, and open ourselves more”, just like in the Diamond Sutra: “No self, no person, and no life.”2
Image source: The Unbound Project
Shih’s reflections go deeper into the concept of family and its evolving role in society. “The value of family has never been absolute. In Europe, in India, there have been many ‘homeless’ individuals who have created the most glorious cultures of human civilization…” she remarked, drawing attention to the fact that family structures can take many forms and still contribute to human progress. She critiques the idea of a one-size-fits-all definition of family, adding, “If you require everyone to enter this family based on a single value… I really feel that this is a bit obsessive-compulsive.”3 Her comment speaks to the rigid expectations placed on people to conform to a narrow, traditional vision of family, which she believes limits personal freedom and the potential for diverse ways of living.
In the debate surrounding same-sex marriage, Shih also challenges those who view family purely through the lens of reproduction. “If the family is defined to exist for the creation of the next generations, then I would like to ask, aren’t those who suffer from infertility also victims of your attack?”4 she questions, highlighting the exclusionary implications of such a narrow view. As a nun who has renounced family life herself, Shih has always been critical of society’s conventional definitions of “family values,” which she believes fail to account for the complexities of individual lives and identities.
Shih’s advocacy has not been without controversy. When a Buddhist in Taiwan called same-sex affection “disgusting,” Shih countered with her characteristic wit and insight: “You are oppressing gay people with your own feelings. I also feel disgusted when I see a man and a woman hugging.”5 Her sharp retorts underscore her belief that personal discomfort should not dictate societal norms. In another exchange, when a Buddhist scholar argued that “all things should have a yin and a yang,” Shih responded with a pointed question: “When did you change your occupation and become a Daoist?”6 Her irreverent humor highlights her willingness to challenge the status quo.
In 2012, she made history by performing the first Buddhist wedding ceremony for a lesbian couple in Taiwan7 — a bold move that signaled her strong support for same-sex marriage long before the issue became legally recognized in the country. As Taiwan became the first Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019, Shih’s voice and actions played an important role in shifting Buddhist perceptions and advocating for equal rights. Through her work, Shih continues to challenge the rigid definitions of family and love, advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate society where all forms of relationships are recognized and celebrated.
Section II. First Same-sex Buddhist Wedding Marks Progress for LGBTQ+ Rights
The first Buddhist same-sex wedding in Taiwan marked a significant milestone for both the LGBTQ+ community and the broader religious and social landscape of the country. On this historic day in 2012, two women, Huang Mei-yu (黃美瑜) and Yu Ya-ting (游雅婷), exchanged vows in a Buddhist ceremony with renowned Buddhist activist Shih Chao-hwei officiating. The event took place at a Buddhist monastery in Guanyin Township, Taoyuan County, and was attended by over 100 guests. Despite the joyous occasion, the couple’s parents who initially agreed to attend ultimately chose not to come due to concerns about media exposure and the ongoing societal stigma surrounding same-sex marriage8.
This ceremony was particularly notable because Buddhism does not have any doctrinal prohibitions against same-sex unions, and the presence of Shih Chao-hwei legitimized the event significant in the eyes of many. Shih, who has long advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, expressed her hope that the ceremony would inspire societal change: “I am certain you will lead a life of happiness together, especially after you have overcome so much difficulty and societal discrimination”9. While the wedding itself was not legally recognized — same-sex marriage was not yet legal in Taiwan at the time — the ceremony offered a powerful symbol of acceptance and love, helping to challenge the deeply rooted prejudices that persist in the country.
Despite the absence of the couple’s parents, the ceremony was a powerful statement of love and defiance against traditional views. “I remember when I told my parents that we would get married, their first question was, ‘Is this legal?’”10 Huang shared with reporters, expressing the couple’s hope for the eventual legalization of same-sex marriage. “We hope it will become legal. For us and for our families, it is very important,”11 she added, highlighting the ongoing struggle for legal recognition.
Section III. First Country in Asia to Legalize Same-sex Marriage
In 2019, Taiwan made history as the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, a monumental achievement for LGBTQ+ rights in the region. While the law granted same-sex couples the right to marry and enjoy many of the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples, it initially restricted adoption rights, allowing couples to only adopt their partner’s biological children. This gap in legal protections for families was addressed in a major step forward in 2023 when Taiwan’s legislature recently amended the law to allow joint adoption. Now same-sex couples can adopt children together — a significant win that advocates had long fought for12. This progress reflects Taiwan’s growing commitment to equality, reinforcing its role as a leader in the LGBTQ+ rights movement in Asia.
Taiwan’s forward-thinking approach to LGBTQ+ rights is also supported by a broader cultural shift, including perspectives from Buddhism. In her teachings on marriage equality, Shih Chao-hwei emphasizes that the core Buddhist goal is to relieve suffering and promote happiness for all beings, regardless of their sexual orientation13. From a Buddhist perspective, same-sex marriage is not only acceptable but should be supported, since it does not increase suffering but allows individuals to pursue happiness14. This compassionate stance aligns with Taiwan’s progressive policies, led by political figures like President Tsai Ing-wen, who championed marriage equality, and President-elect Lai Ching-te, who has vowed to continue advancing LGBTQ+ rights15. Taiwan’s commitment to marriage equality, combined with the Buddhist philosophy of compassion and interdependence, sets a powerful example for other countries in the region. By positioning itself as a leader in both human rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy, Taiwan strengthens its international profile and promotes a message of inclusivity and equality on the world stage.
“’If there is same-sex marriage, heterosexual people will become homosexuals’… will you?! If you won’t why are you worrying?? Weird.”
“I just heard ridiculous information saying ‘same-sex couples constantly change partners,’ but… isn’t the reason they [same-sex couples] want to get married is because they don’t want to change partners? Why not have the beauty of helping others achieve their goals [getting married]? And… aren’t a lot of heterosexual couples changing partners? But are we prohibiting them from getting married? I think, when we’re talking about situations like these, maybe we can re-organize our logical thinking.”
Bibliography
- Chen , Qian-er, and Qi-wen Chen . “The Buddhist Nun That Supports Same-Sex Marriage.” The Taiwan Gazette, July 14, 2019. https://www.taiwangazette.org/news/2018/10/5/the-buddhist-nun-that-supports-same-sex-marriage
- Chen and Chen, “The Buddhist Nun That Supports Same-Sex Marriage.”
- Chen and Chen, “The Buddhist Nun That Supports Same-Sex Marriage.”
- Chen and Chen, “The Buddhist Nun That Supports Same-Sex Marriage.”
- Chen and Chen, “The Buddhist Nun That Supports Same-Sex Marriage.”
- Chen and Chen, “The Buddhist Nun That Supports Same-Sex Marriage.”
- Lai, Alexis. “Two Buddhist Brides Wed in Taiwan.” CNN, August 13, 2012. https://www.cnn.com/2012/08/13/world/asia/taiwan-buddhist-same-sex-wedding/.
- Loa , Iok-sin. “Couple Wed in First Same-Sex Buddhist Service in Taiwan.” Taipei Times, August 12, 2012. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2012/08/12/2003540070.
- Loa, “Couple Wed in Same-Sex Buddhist Service in Taiwan.”
- Lai, “Two Buddhist Brides Wed in Taiwan.”
- Lai, “Two Buddhist Brides Wed in Taiwan.”
- Feng, Emily. “Same-Sex Couples Will Now Have Full Adoption Rights in Taiwan.” NPR, May 16, 2023. https://www.npr.org/2023/05/16/1176433353/taiwan-same-sex-adoption-rights.
- Shih, Chao-hwei. 「婚姻平權」議題的佛法論述 (Buddhist Perspectives on the Issue of Marriage Equality). Special Collection of Papers, Hsuan Chuang University, March 2020. https://www.hcu.edu.tw/upload/userfiles/37837C6FAB904E548360E98C1217A9BE/files/33-1釋昭慧教授–專輯論文090325.pdf.
- Shih, 「婚姻平權」議題的佛法論述 (Buddhist Perspectives on the Issue of Marriage Equality), 3
- Phan , Van Tim, and Tam Sang Huynh . “Taiwan’s LGBTQ Progress under Lai Ching-Te: From Rhetoric to Action.” The Diplomat. June 10, 2024. https://thediplomat.com/2024/06/taiwans-lgbtq-progress-under-lai-ching-te-from-rhetoric-to-action/.