Celibacy 001

Celibacy and abstinence are incredibly broad terms. Interchangeable in some contexts, ‘celibacy’ usually connotes religious practice devoid of sex. ‘Abstinence’ in America is usually invoked by Christians to advise against sex outside of marriage. The concept is found among innumerable religions, from swamis of Hinduism to Jain monks, Buddhist bhikkhus/bhikkhunis to Catholic nuns and priests. Universally, it has been used as an approach to corporeal transcendence, enlightenment, or becoming one with your God.