Page 96 - The Buddha‘s Noble Eightfold Path

(iii) Thirdly, abstention from sexual misconduct.

In the sutras the Buddha makes it clear that, in the context of the
Five Precepts, sexual misconduct comprises rape, abduction and

adultery. All three are unskilful because they are expressions,
simultaneously, of both craving and violence. In the case of rape
and abduction, which in the comparatively unorganized society

of the Buddha's day seem to have been fairly common, violence
is committed not only against the woman herself but also, if she

happens to be a minor, against her parents or guardians. In the
case of adultery, the violence is committed against the woman's
husband, in as much as his domestic life is deliberately disrupted.

It should also be noted that in Buddhism marriage is a purely civil
contract, not a sacrament. Moreover, divorce is permitted and

from a religious point of view monogamy is not compulsory. In
some parts of the Buddhist world there are communities which
practice polygamy and this is not considered as being in any way

sexual misconduct.

The positive counterpart of abstention from sexual misconduct is
samtushi (Pali santutthi), or contentment. In the case of the
unmarried contentment means contentment with the single

state, in the case of the married it means contentment with one's
recognized, socially accepted sexual partner. Here contentment

is not just passive acceptance of the status quo. In modern
psychological terms, it means a positive state of freedom from
using sex to satisfy neurotic needs in general and, in particular,

using it to satisfy the neurotic need for change.

(iv) Fourthly, abstention from false speech. False speech is that
which is rooted in craving, hatred or fear.

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