Gay monk preaches tolerance to diversity through Buddhism

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Japanese monk Nishimura Kodo (31) gave an interview to Nakagawa Saori, of the Japanese public broadcaster NHK, commenting on what it is like to reconcile your Buddhist religion and be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. The information is from the Mundo-Nipo channel.

“Being yourself is very comfortable.It is a joy to love yourself ”– said Kodo, who liked to wear dresses since he was a child and asked to borrow clothes from his mother.“My childhood idol was a princess from a Disney movie” – he says, complete.

Kodo comments that since childhood he suffered bullying from colleagues for his different way, since he was called gay in a pejorative way. “[No primeiro bullying] “I froze in shock. My heart was broken “ – he said- “I had no idea how to behave at school from the next day.I had no friends.” – completed.

When the young man finished high school, he moved to the United States to study design. There, teachers, students and even the Dean spoke openly about sexuality and, gradually, Nishimura learned to talk about the subject.

“Seeing people living honestly has changed my way of thinking over time. It is totally normal to live without hiding my sexuality. This is the strong conviction that I developed in New York ” – says Nishimura.

While living in the United States, Nishimura was an assistant to a makeup artist and ended up becoming a professional in the area, even making up the Miss Universe finalists.

As for being a monk, he says this is something he never imagined for life: “Actually, I hated the idea because I didn’t want to shave my head,” he said, and his father, curiously, is a Buddhist monk..

On a brief return to Japan, at the age of 24, Kodo changed his mind as he learned more about the Buddhist religion. After two years of training, he reconciles his faith with his career and is currently lecturing on issues related to LGBTQIA+.

“Questioning my own identity helped me to understand the pain of many people (…). Freedom to be yourself and mutual understanding are the keys to a happy life. I want people around the world to stay true to themselves, and remember that everyone is the same”, he told Saori.

As for wearing brilliants or women’s clothing, Nishimura tells the blog “Cosme Hunt” that her religion preaches equality among all.

“My master told me that the message of equality for all is the most important factor in Buddhism” – he said – “Japanese monks wear watches and normal clothes nowadays and, therefore, I see no problem with you wearing something shiny. He (the master) taught me that Buddhism accepts everyone as they are (…) Race, sexuality, status or age do not make anyone inferior or superior” – he continues, adding that in Buddhism no one should feel guilty for being who it is.