All the rationales for this practice that I have been exposed to are cultural and not scientific (specifically, references to Biblical or Quranic tradition). I find those arguments completely unconvincing. [Pro tip: ask your local preacher if God the Father is himself circumcised. I'm glad I did.]
Are there any scientific arguments in favor of circumcision, or medical circumstances in which this practice is indicated? Any instance of this practice turning up in, say, Tibetan Medicine or any other Dharma tradition or healing tradition outside of the Abrahamic cultural milieu?
Circumcision
Circumcision
Last edited by DGA on Sat Jun 09, 2018 2:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Circumcision
I think it is a hygiene issue mostly from a medical standpoint.
Kevin...
Re: Circumcision
It's interesting that it's suggested by some to be a hygiene issue. What kind of problems do people have with hygiene if they need to chop off a part of their genitalia to somehow get better hygiene? Whatever happened with taking a shower?
"The Guru is the Buddha, the Guru is the Dharma,
The Guru is the Sangha too,
The Guru is Śrī Heruka.
The All-Creating King is the Guru."
-- The Secret Assembly Tantra
The Guru is the Sangha too,
The Guru is Śrī Heruka.
The All-Creating King is the Guru."
-- The Secret Assembly Tantra
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Fortyeightvows
- Posts: 2948
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2014 2:37 am
Re: Circumcision
It's because they think of "hygiene" as a synonym to "purity" as in ritual purity according to those traditions.
Re: Circumcision
Apparently, according to this (https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-proced ... c-20393550) an organization called the AAP says that it is helpful in a number of ways. Whether it really is or not, I do not know.
All the best,
Kevin...
Re: Circumcision
warning age restricted video
Re: Circumcision
Ah, perhaps it's all bunk then. Thank you for bringing this knowledge to the fore.
Kevin...
Kevin...
Re: Circumcision
We had a class once in either comparative religion or anthropology - I can’t remember which, now - on religious prohibitions in the Semitic faiths. It really turns out that when you go right into it, there’s no discernible reason for many of them. They are simply seen as divine commandments, no ifs or buts. [Pythagoreans had a really strict taboo on beans.] Circumcision wasn’t one of the topics considered, although I have heard it said it is preferable hygenically, and I even recall reading that there was an increased risk of some forms of cancer from not being circumcised. But I’m sure that wouldn’t be the reasoning behind it.
'Only practice with no gaining idea' ~ Suzuki Roshi
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Lobsang Chojor
- Posts: 737
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- Location: Yorkshire, England
Re: Circumcision
One medical reason can be in premature births, when the skin isn't totally separated.
"Morality does not become pure unless darkness is dispelled by the light of wisdom"
- Aryasura, Paramitasamasa 6.5
Re: Circumcision
Would ya' just cut it.
Kevin...
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amanitamusc
- Posts: 1725
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 3:32 am
Re: Circumcision
Hated it.I'm pretty sure.
Re: Circumcision
Alright, my apologies for all the sophomoric humor.
Kevin...
Kevin...
Re: Circumcision
It can be applied medically for people that have an overly tight foreskin that tends to tear during erection and copulation.
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Re: Circumcision
Circumcision is an awful thing to do to a baby. I'm thankful it's not seen as normal in my country.
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Caoimhghín
- Posts: 2769
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 11:35 pm
- Location: Whitby, Ontario
Re: Circumcision
Some people say it can lower your chances of getting certain STDs. I wouldn't know how to know if they were making it up.
savi saghara aṇica di, savi saghara dukha di, savi dhama aṇatva di:
yada paśadi cakhkṣuma tada nivinadi dukha eṣo mago viśodhia.
"All formations are inconstant," he said.
"All formations are stressful," he said.
"All phenomena are selfless," he said.
When one sees this, one becomes adverse to stress, and this is the path of purity.
(Gāndhārī Dharmapada fragments)
yada paśadi cakhkṣuma tada nivinadi dukha eṣo mago viśodhia.
"All formations are inconstant," he said.
"All formations are stressful," he said.
"All phenomena are selfless," he said.
When one sees this, one becomes adverse to stress, and this is the path of purity.
(Gāndhārī Dharmapada fragments)
Re: Circumcision
The reasons I've heard:
Hygenic. There aren't folds where bacteria and gunk can build up. I believe it also increases chance of STD transmission, giving and receiving.
I suppose it's cultural, but aesthetic preference. I run in circles with many Jews, including my wife. Preference is generally for circumcision. Also, I've heard remarks about smell. I wouldn't know about this.
I was against my son being circumcised. Wife was insistent.
The kid did scream when the doctor snipped him. What a way to be welcomed I to the world.
Hygenic. There aren't folds where bacteria and gunk can build up. I believe it also increases chance of STD transmission, giving and receiving.
I suppose it's cultural, but aesthetic preference. I run in circles with many Jews, including my wife. Preference is generally for circumcision. Also, I've heard remarks about smell. I wouldn't know about this.
I was against my son being circumcised. Wife was insistent.
The kid did scream when the doctor snipped him. What a way to be welcomed I to the world.
Those who, even with distracted minds,
Entered a stupa compound
And chanted but once, “Namo Buddhaya!”
Have certainly attained the path of the buddhas.
-Lotus Sutra, Expedient Means Chapter
There are beings with little dust in their eyes who are falling away because they do not hear the Dhamma. There will be those who will understand the Dhamma.
-Ayacana Sutta
Entered a stupa compound
And chanted but once, “Namo Buddhaya!”
Have certainly attained the path of the buddhas.
-Lotus Sutra, Expedient Means Chapter
There are beings with little dust in their eyes who are falling away because they do not hear the Dhamma. There will be those who will understand the Dhamma.
-Ayacana Sutta