Celibacy in Buddhism: Exploring Kāmmachanda Nirodho as a Path of Self-Liberation in the Modern Era
Abstract
This study explores the concept of kāmmachanda nirodho (cessation of sensory desire) within Buddhism, focusing on its doctrinal foundation and relevance to contemporary monastic life. Unlike previous studies that have predominantly treated celibacy as a moral prescription, this research argues that celibacy constitutes a profound psychospiritual strategy aimed at liberation from suffering (dukkha). Employing a qualitative methodology with a literature-based approach, the study analyzes primary sources from the Tipiṭaka and secondary sources including scholarly literature, journal articles, and theories from modern psychology and sociology. The findings suggest that kāmmachanda nirodho is not merely an avoidance of worldly pleasures but a transformative spiritual practice directed toward the attainment of nibbāna. Rooted in ignorance (avijjā), sensory desire is identified as a principal source of suffering. Through the path of morality, concentration, and wisdom outlined in the Noble Eightfold Path, practitioners can progress toward liberation. The study also emphasizes the value of psychological perspectives in understanding the dynamics of celibacy in the digital age. The research contributes to religious studies, advocates for adaptive monastic curricula, and informs policy efforts to support the well-being of celibate practitioners. Its originality lies in the interdisciplinary analysis combining classical Buddhist texts with psychospiritual perspectives to yield new insights for contemporary spiritual life.
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