蜜芽传媒

Good morning. At the weekend, I read a report of concerns expressed by Bernadette Wren, a psychologist at the Gender Identity Development Service in London. Referrals to the clinic have increased ten-fold in nine years, perhaps mainly because schools now react quickly to a child鈥檚 wish to be regarded as a member of the opposite sex. That haste, Wren feels, may not always be in the child鈥檚 best interest, particularly if accompanied by clinical treatments that might have irreversible or long-term effects. Others disagree.

These are new and complex issues for our society. However, the Hindu tradition has a long and surprisingly open approach to gender identity. Vedic texts, describe that humans are born as one of three gender types 鈥� male, female and, in Sanskrit: tritiya prakriti 鈥� the third type. This was considered natural and linked to the vagaries of human reincarnation. As we alternate back and forth between male and female in a prolonged series of lives, we carry subconscious impressions and tendencies with us. So, in Hindu terms, there鈥檚 a chance we might be born with a body we feel doesn鈥檛 match our gender outlook.

The term, prakriti, indicates that gender distinctions should not be based on biology or genitalia, but rather on psychology. In Vedic times, the individual defined their own identity and how they wished to express that through clothes, name, work sexuality and marriage. Behaviour, rather than physical change, solidified internal gender choice. A broad study of the Vedic texts reveals a society that was amazingly open, accepting and protective of the wide diversity of tritiya prakriti lifestyles.

Even so, social and familial prejudices have always been prevalent. Certainly, with the later mixing of cultures and colonial interests, life has now become extremely tough for a transgender person in India.

The Ramayan epic, regarded for its moral guidance, relates that when Rama was obliged to leave his father鈥檚 city, its citizens had followed Him. Rama begged them to return home. But, a small group stayed. When chided by Rama, they replied, 鈥淲e are obeying you. You said, 鈥榓ll men and women should to go back.鈥� But, as tritiya prakriti, we are neither men nor women.鈥� Rama was pleased by their devotion and blessed them that their words would always come true. That reputation has remained to modern times; families still invite transgender people to bless a child at its name-giving.

Commentators suggest that Rama鈥檚 benediction indicates that, even during the inclusivity of ancient Vedic society, it was never easy to state publicly one鈥檚 inner gender identity. Those who did speak their truth, deserved to have their words believed and their wishes fulfilled.

Show less