Queer Engaged Buddhism

.Kody Muncaster, PhD

ISBN 978-1-998248-15-5/ 126 pages / 6.14" x 9.21" / Bibliography included / Available October 9, 2025. Special pre-publication discounted price.

Queer Engaged Buddhism explores the relationship between queer and trans theories and Buddhist scriptures across traditions, to begin a queer and trans approach to socially engaged Buddhism. 

It blends the academic with the personal, providing meditations for queer and trans communities in each chapter.

Kody Muncaster, a Buddhist scholar and practitioner, begins with an introduction to queer work on topics such as affect, trauma, and literary critique practices. They also provide an overview on queerness and Buddhism and examine what a Queer Studies reading of Buddhist histories from different traditions can contribute to uncovering hidden elements of queerness, with a strong focus on the often excluded narratives of intersex and trans folks.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kody Muncaster, PhD, is an ocswssw Psychotherapist and Clinical Director of Pink Lotus Counselling & Psychotherapy, specializing in trauma therapy, mindfulness, gender, and sexuality. They are queer and non-binary. They have taught at the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health program at the University of Toronto: New College as well as at Western University’s Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. They began a three-year training to become a Zen priest under Venerable Bhikkhuni Thích Nũ' Tinh Quang in 2024.

CONTENTS

Introduction: Queer Studies and Engaged Buddhism

1. Theoretical Frameworks for Queer Engaged Buddhism
2. Queer and Trans Buddhist Histories: Towards a Queer Buddhist Hermeneutics
3. Non-Binary Phenomenologies, Non-duality, and Emptiness
4. Trans Bodhichitta: Trauma, Deity Yoga, and Gender Euphoria
5. Trans Bodhisattvas, Queer Practices: Kuan Yin, Tonglen, and HIV/AIDS
6. Buddhist Psychotherapy and ­Spiritual Care for Queer and Trans ­Communities
7. Precarious Love: On Interconnectedness for a Queer(ed) and Trans(formed) Engaged Buddhism

References

ACCOLADES

"Speaking to both scholars and practitioners, Queer Engaged Buddhism is a heartfelt, personally vulnerable exploration of Buddhist Studies using a queer, transcentric lens. Muncaster skillfully employs a wide range of Queer Theory perspectives to examine the weaknesses and potentialities of the discipline, while offering critical and meditative tools to help readers live empowered lives amongst the trauma of queerphobic Samsara. In doing so, Muncaster demonstrates how queer engaged Buddhism can be a source of solidarity, strength, and healing for practitioners. Queer Engaged Buddhism is insightful and necessary reading for anyone working on Queer Theory and Buddhism." Jeff Wilson, University of Waterloo, author of Living Nembutsu: Applying Shinran’s Radically Engaged Buddhism in Life and Society.

"Kody Muncaster has breathed new life into the dialogue between Queer Studies and Buddhism, and the study and practice of Engaged Buddhism, with their timely intervention Queer Engaged Buddhism. Muncaster seamlessly interweaves insights from queer theory, intersectional feminism, Buddhist studies scholarship, and contemporary Buddhist practice, and grounds them in their lived experience as a non-binary Zen Buddhist practitioner. Particularly commendable is the author’s ability to render sophisticated academic theories accessible and show their relevance for Engaged Buddhist practice. At a time of increased vulnerability for the LGBTQI community, Queer Engaged Buddhism is a much-needed resource for queer, trans and intersex people as well as those—Buddhists and beyond—who want to support them." Ann Gleig, University of Central Florida, author of American Dharma: Buddhism Beyond Modernity.

"The time has come for the LGBTQI sangha to be explicitly recognized in the Buddha Dharma. Kody Muncaster has added another vehicle, the ‘Queereryana’, one that needs to wipe out the delusional story that queerness, queer identity, queer relationships are aspects of sexual misconduct. With scholarship and everyday practices like mindfulness, this important book will, page by page, help to continue growing a diverse sangha much needed in today’s world." Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John author of First Aid Kit For The Mind, Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviours.