Third Precept Essay

Third Precept: I observe the precept of abstaining from sexual misconduct.

The third precept highlights the importance of respecting other people’s bodies, just as you would your own. Observing the third precept entails abstinence from any sexual behavior that abuses the body. For lay Buddhists, sexual behaviors like adultery, promiscuity, rape, and all forms of sexual aberrations (paraphilia, pedophilia, incest, fetishes, etc.) are considered as giving in to sexual craving. If you remember the principles taught in the four noble truths, craving is one of the major reasons why suffering arises. Therefore, to ensure that you live by the moral standards of Buddhism, you should commit to observing the third precept.

The virtues that you will develop in the third precept encompass respect for other people’s and your own body. It serves as the ultimate training for self-restraint. Self-restraint, in Buddhism, is extremely important,

Fight the urge to pleasure yourself – Is it wrong to masturbate? No one can really answer that question objectively. In fact, there is a proliferation of scientific facts that promote masturbation as a healthy sexual practice for everyone. That may be true, but in terms of the Buddhist moral codes, it is corruption. Masturbation is a direct violation of the third precept because it is a sexual aberration. It involves sexual fantasies, and it is an act of giving in to sexual craving. The road to Buddhism is a spiritual and moral one, and it gives higher priority to the refinement of conduct based on what is beneficial for one’s mind.

If it is true that masturbation is beneficial to health, there are other ways to remain healthy without engaging in it. Again, the five precepts serve as your training ground. It is ultimately your choice whether or not you would like to adhere to what it says. However, if you are serious about achieving inner peace through Buddhist practices, you should put a lot of effort in curbing your sexual