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西村宏堂 日本第一出櫃僧侶

Kodo Nishimura, the first Japanese monk that came out as gay

多數人應該很難想像僧侶身兼專業化妝師、並穿梭在時尚圈，幫名模及環球小姐化妝。他甚至大方出櫃在眾人面前，完全顛覆你對佛教僧侶的想像！但西村宏堂，他做到了！

Many of us may have a hard time imagining a monk working as a makeup artist, working through the fashion industry, putting up makeup for super models and Misses Universe. This is Kodo Nishimura. He even came out to the public, completely transforming your imagination about Buddhist monks.

離開日本 赴美再回來

Left Japan for the US and returned

現在位在東京東京港區的一間寺廟當僧侶的西村表示，高中時期的他因為喜歡男生，害怕師長、社會對她不諒解，壓力甚大，於是他在18歲飛到美國唸書，透過幫朋友化妝，意外發現自己的天分，並朝向專業化妝師邁進。

Now a monk in a temple in Tokyo, Nishimura said that in high school because he was worried that his teachers and the society would not accept or understand his attraction to other men, he was under tremendous pressure. Therefore, he traveled to the United States for school when he turned 18. When putting on makeup for friends, he accidentally discovered his talents and also started developing a career in professional makeup.

不過在他事業高峰之際，他反而更想瞭解佛教，也經歷長達兩年陸續修行和測試。他想問師傅關於施脂粉、易服、愛好同性等一般對於佛教皆視為離經叛道的問題，可怕有辱師門。卻萬萬沒想到師傅回答：「如果你能傳達每個人都是平等，都可以得道的訊息，而你的妝容，又可以幫助你做到這件事，那有何不可？」

However, just when he was about to reach the peak of his career, he began to be drawn to Buddhism. He went through two years of continuous religious practices and tests. He asked questions that may conventionally been regarded as deviant questions in Buddhism about makeup, costume, and same-sex love. He was afraid he would offend his master. But he was surprised when the master answered, “If what you are trying to convey is everyone is born equal, and everyone can receive enlightenment, and your profession as a makeup artist can help you achieve that aim, then why not?”

只要做你相信是好的事，就對了

If you believe what you do is good and kind, then do it!

西川從佛學文字當中去體悟，找到更多對自身所作所為的肯定。他表示：「我知道佛祖並無因任何人的性別或出身，而將他們分等，我覺得只要做你相信是好的事，就對了。」

Nishimura has sought confirmation from Buddhism and has received more acceptance in his deeds. He said, “I know Buddha does not put people into different classes based on their gender or upbringing. I know as long as you believe what you do is good and kind, then do it.”