“I undertake the training-precept to abstain from false speech.” (Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.)
“I undertake the training-precept to abstain from sexual misconduct.” (Kāmesumicchācāra veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.)
My latest reels on the five main Buddhist precepts, discuss the third and fourth main precepts. Monastics are generally expected to keep at least the five precepts, including no sexual activity at all, and a layperson who upholds the five precepts is described in the texts as a “jewel among laypeople”.
Several modern teachers such as Thich Nhat Hanh have written about the five precepts in a wider scope, with regard to social and institutional relations. In these perspectives, mass production of weapons, prostitution/sex work, exploitative or violent pornography, or spreading untruth through media and education also violates the general principles of the precepts.
The third precept: Refraining from false or dishonest speech
In this reel, I briefly explain the third main precept, which is not lying or refraining from false and dishonest speech. This vow is not always so easy to keep as we often tell ‘white lies’ so as not to offend people or hurt their feelings, such as saying they look nice in something, they don’t etc. However, even though that is dishonest, this vow is really getting at refraining from lies which are gross, or harm people, or hide/disguise a truth that people should know etc. Such as a celibate monk pretending he is celibate when he is engaging in sexually motivated relations with women (or men). Or someone cheating on their partner and lying about it. Or impersonation, fraud, deception that are done to harm people and gain some unfair advantage over them. In addition, it could also apply to spreading second-hand gossip about someone, when you are not sure it is true, or even worse, you know it not to be true!
Some people might even assert that is why many forms of advertising, movies and so on, breach this vow because they represent something untrue about the product, or the people advertising the product.
Although the vow is not easy to keep, the Buddha taught there are several benefits to keeping it, such as more powerful speech (the secret power of truthful speech), having a cleaner and good conscience, being believed and trusted more. Even if people do not like what you say, they tend to believe what you say! And also in future lives one will be born into environments and places where people tend to be more honest and transparent.
The fourth main precept: No sexual misconduct
In the next reel, I briefly explain the fourth main precept is refraining from sexual misconduct. For monastics, this vow is straightforward. The Buddha encouraged all monastics not to engage in any activities that would arise lust and sexual desire in themselves and others. This includes physical sexual acts, but would also include in online messaging or activities. There is a secondary vow that monks should not even be alone in a room with a woman or nun, without others being able to hear or see them.
As for laypeople, classical texts suggest this includes any form of sexual misconduct, which would therefore include inappropriate touching and speech, with a married or engaged person, rape, incest, sex with a minor (under 18 years, or a person “protected by any relative”), and sex with a prostitute. There are also teachings on inappropriate times, places and orifices for sexual gratification. Masturbation goes against the spirit of the precept, because of wrongful fantasy. However, it is not strictly prohibited for laypeople, only for monastics.
The reason Buddha formulated such codes of ethical conduct was not because he was being moralistic, prudish and a “killjoy”. Far from it, he understood (as do many of us) that excessive and untamed lust and desire causes huge amounts of suffering on this planet. Not only emotionally, but physically in the forms of diseases, unwanted children, abortions, broken families and relationships etc. In fact, promiscuity in sexual matters is not considered liberal at all, but yet another “bond” to samsara which keeps people imprisoned by their sexual impulses and cravings, and thus weak and unfree.
The sexual misconduct precept is explained as preventing profound spiritual damage to oneself and others. Breaching is is regarded as karmically more severe if the other person is a good, honest person. Virtues that go hand-in-hand with the third precept are genuine consent, contentment, especially with one’s partner, and recognition and respect for faithfulness in a committed relationship, and respect for the Buddha Nature of oneself and others. This is why many would say that purchasing people as bodies for sexual pleasure and gratification breaches this precept but also other Buddhist principles of love, compassion and respect for other human beings. This includes anything that involves sexual exploitation, prostitution or pornography, and professions that promote unhealthy sexual behavior, such as in the entertainment industry.
As for Vajrayana practice with a consort, real or secret, the texts and masters also say that the vajra master (who can be male or female) should only take a consort if the master is completely free from sexual desire, lust and attachment. For example, it has been said the vajra master should be able to eat poo and not experience any distaste. In addition, they should certainly not be ordinary monastics!
However, judging by the unqualified, unwise and undevoted ‘types’ of women/spouses some of these Buddhist teachers have been choosing (young and pretty ‘dollybirds’) one could be forgiven for thinking that they were the main and important qualities of a consort! However, as I wrote about here in 2020, lack of genuine consent, respect, love etc. for the consort this is a degeneration of Vajrayana as as such, is also sexual misconduct and a breach of the main Vajrayana downfalls relating to women in particular.
