Singapore Buddhist leader pushes for the repeal of Section 377A
On Sunday, the Buddhist Fellowship’s president, Lim Phang Hong, told fans on his Facebook page that he backs scrapping Section 377A— the old law that criminalises same‑sex relations, even though it’s never actually enforced in Singapore. He says the move is in line with Buddhist teachings on empathy and “love for all living beings.”
What Buddha wants us to do
- Metta Sutta reminds Buddhists that a “boundless heart” should feel for everyone, regardless of race, faith, language or who they love.
- Lim believes any law that singles out a group, criminalises or marginalises them, simply creates friction in society.
Why he spoke up
In an interview with The Straits Times, Lim explained that he was sharing his personal view so people wouldn’t mistake Buddhism for a stance that supports discriminatory laws. “We should reconcile marginalised members with the wider community in a way that promotes respect and harmony across Singapore and the globe,” he added.
Context: The global debate
Singapore’s conversation was sparked again by the Supreme Court of India’s decision on 6 September to strike down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which made consensual gay sex a crime in India. The debate here mirrors a worldwide rethink of how such laws affect human dignity and freedom.
Clash of opinions from other faith groups
- The head of the Catholic Church in Singapore says the law should not be repealed under current circumstances.
- The National Council of Churches believes that a homosexual lifestyle “is harmful for individuals, families and society as a whole.”
- The Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas) warns that repealing Section 377A could have “worrying implications.”
Petitions that keep the issue alive
The Ready4Repeal petition, submitted to the Home Affairs and Law Ministries last Friday, has already gathered 44 650 signatures. Meanwhile, the Please Keep Penal Code 377A petition, closed on 24 September, received almost 109 000 signatures.
Ultimately, Lim’s message is a heartfelt plea that the Buddhist spirit of compassion can help Singapore move toward a more inclusive and fair legal system.
