*
The sexual energy is extremely powerful, but if one does not keep it under control or does not sublimate it, then it will constitute an immense obstacle against liberation from samsara. There are many types of sexual misconduct mentioned in the sutras and treatises of various Masters, like for example, not being faithful to one's wife or husband[1], having sex with another's partner, with those who are under age, with non-humans, with someone of the same sex, with one's parents or blood relatives, a nun or a monk who took the precept of abstinence, to have sex in the wrong places (temples, outside of one's room), wrong time (during daytime), in the wrong orifices (anus or mouth) which are not made for sexual intercourse[2], sexual relations that are harmful, etc. Here are a few quotes on sexual misconduct and its consequences, from Shakyamuni Buddha:
“If one
has sex at an inappropriate time or place, with someone who is not one’s wife,
or not a woman (homosexuality), one is guilty of sexual misconduct. [...]
If one
has sex with oneself or someone by the road, beside a pagoda or temple, or in
an assembly, one is guilty of sexual misconduct. If one has sex with someone
who, though under the protection of the king, or parents or brothers, has kept
a tryst or accepted one’s invitation or payment, one is guilty of sexual
misconduct. If one has sex beside a holy statue or painting, or a corpse, one
is guilty of sexual misconduct. One is guilty of sexual misconduct if,
while having sex with one’s wife, one thinks of her as another woman; or if,
while having sex with another’s wife, one thinks of her as one’s own wife. Sexual
misconduct can be grave or minor. If it is driven by strong afflictions[3],
it is grave; if it is driven by weak afflictions, it is minor.”[4]
Talking about wives who cheat on their husbands, Shakyamuni Buddha said:
„With
hateful mind, cold and heartless,
Lusting
for others, despising her husband;
Such a
wife is called a slayer.
[...]
A thief,
and the wife like a tyrant,
These
kinds of wives, with the body’s breakup,
Will be
reborn deep in hell.”[5]
The third Bodhisattva precept related with sexuality says:
"A disciple of the Buddha must not engage in
licentious acts or encourage others to do so. Indeed, he must not engage in
improper sexual conduct with anyone.
A Buddha’s disciple ought to have a mind of filial piety
– rescuing all sentient beings and instructing them in the Dharma of purity and
chastity. If instead, he lacks compassion and encourages others to engage in
sexual relations promiscuously, including with animals and even their mothers,
daughters, sisters, or other close relatives, he commits a Parajika (major)
offense."[9]
No matter if some modern people disagree, the sutras, that is, Shakyamuni Buddha's own words, but also the words of many Buddhist masters like for example Genshin (the 6th Patriarch of our school), are very clear on what it means to engage in sexual misconduct and the karmic results of such an act. As in all Dharma matters, what Buddha said weights more than the opinions of unenlightened beings of various times.
[1] Since the moment a man
and a woman are together all rules of behavior apply automatically, no mater
they are officially or religiously married. I mention that during the time of
Shakyamuni’s presence in human form there were no Buddhist ceremonies for
marriage, these being a modern invention.
[2] "What are
inappropriate body parts? The mouth, the anus [...]". Master Asvagosha as
quoted in The Great Treatise on the
Stages on the Path to Enlightenment, by Tsong-kha-pa, Snow Lion
Publications, Ithaca, New York, p. 220
[3] If it is driven by destructive and negative emotions, exaggerated desires, anger, strong jealousy,
etc.
[4] Sūtra
of the Upāsaka Precepts (Upasakasila Sutra), fascicle 6, Chapter 24a
[5] Anguttara Nikaya, II,
41
[6] Children in general.
[7] Saddharma-smrtyupasthana
Sutra. Shantideva also quoted that passage from the Saddharma-smrtyupasthana Sutra in his work Śikṣāsamuccaya (Compendium of Training or Compendium
of Precepts).
[8] Genshin said he quoted
that passage in his Ojoyoshu from Mindfulness
of the Right Dharma Sutra (Saddharmasm tyupasthana Sutra in Skr,
Shobonenjogyo in Jpn). See, Ojoyoshu,
in The Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, second series, volume VII,
1930, translated from Japanese by A.K. Reischauer, http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.ro/2014/03/genshins-ojoyoshu-free-english-edition.html
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