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Is it true that gender identity is a sense of being a woman or a man, or is it a belief?

If it is true, then your identity is not immutable, and you can choose to transition from being a man to a woman or vice versa. In other words, you are not the body, and the body is not you. This is a teaching of zen Buddhism.

What is the truth?

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SW-User

I feel that until the first biological evidence for being the opposite gender is found it should be thought a mental disorder only perhaps requiring treatment.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

I feel that until the first biological evidence for being the opposite gender is found it should be thought a mental disorder only perhaps requiring treatment.

What do you mean by biological evidence? If you are the body, then your body provides the evidence to determine your gender identity.

It may seem strange to you that a person with a male body feels free to assume the identity of a woman. This is because you don't believe that gender identity is merely a sense of being a man or a woman but a biological fact: you are your body and your body is you.

I think zen Buddhism has provided the argument for freedom to transition to whatever gender identity you prefer. You think this is a mental disorder?

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sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

If you choose that path I won't dispute your choice.

I don't choose that path. Frankly, I don't think the Buddha opened the way for gender transition. Western zen provides freedom to be anything you want consistent with our belief in the individual's right to self-determination. The practice of traditional Buddhism in the east is quite conservative: no sex change allowed. Lady boys in Thailand are regarded as queers while transgenders are quite acceptable in the west.

[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K44J2nsElek&t=9s]

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sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

I was referring to the choice of Buddhism. Buddhism is still granted an award for being the first belief to achieve a form of balance.

Yes, there are many forms of Buddhist beliefs. It is the same with other world religions also. Escopalians are Christians that accept transgenders and women as bishops. I think Islam is the only major religion that does not yield to western modification. This is why we view Islam as backward along with traditional forms of Christianity. The Catholic Church is struggling with a liberal Pope.

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sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

I enjoyed hearing your views and hope I didn't offend too much.

You don't offend me at all. I wish you could be more forthcoming in voicing your opinion. If you are Asian, I can understand your reticience. We Americans are unafraid to speak our minds. We are here to talk and exchange viewpoints.

Personally, I don't accept the belief that gender identity is a sense of being a man or a woman. Being a woman is not about getting a sex change, wear sexy dresses, put on makeup, wear high heels, and look for a partner. Being a woman is more than that. It is also about being a mother, and a grandma also. A woman is an important part of being part of society.

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sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

There is another belief opposite to Buddhism.

What belief is that? I would like to google it and find out more.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

Here, the dualism of body and mind is transversely divided into defining and adorning information,

Can you clarify and explain this?

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sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

In this understanding a person is randomly assigned gender over their infinite journey of lifetimes, yet is incapable of making the transition during life. A sense of balance is preserved in this way.

Do you mean that a woman could have been a man in a previous life, and be born as a man again in the next life?

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sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

By this arrangement self is able to experience change and access benefits during an infinite and now enjoyable series of lifetimes.

If you believe in reincarnation, then it is possible for a man to have been born a woman in a previous life. Defining and adorning information of a past life as a woman could manifest in the present life of a man. Does this not explain why a man wants to transition to a woman?

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sree251 · 41-45, M

@SW-User

I don't believe in reincarnation. It's a magical concept where the impossible is thought possible.

If you don't believe in reincarnation, what do you mean by "series of lifetimes" is my quote below of what you said?

By this arrangement self is able to experience change and access benefits during an infinite and now enjoyable series of lifetimes.

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