How does one live in accordance with the 3rd Precept?
The Third
Precept:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
One should cause No Pain to others or oneself in one's own search for
pleasure...
Specifically: One should not mate sexually with another's partner. One should not mate sexually with engaged or married to another. One should not mate sexually with minors < 16-18 years of age. One should not mate sexually with those imprisoned, forced or under the law. One should not mate sexually with those protected by family or teachers.
kāmesu-micchācāra: lit.
'wrong or evil conduct with regard to sensual things'; Unlawful sexual intercourse refers to adultery, and to intercourse with minors
or other persons under guardianship. The abstaining from this unlawful act is one of the 5
moral training rules (sikkhāpada) binding upon all Buddhists. Through any other sexual act
one does not become guilty of the above transgression, which is considered a great crime. The
monk, however, has to observe perfect chastity by living fully celibate - even without any
masturbation. In many Suttas (e.g. A.X., 176) we find the following explanation:
He avoids unlawful sexual intercourse, abstains from it. He has no intercourse
with girls who are still under the protection of father or mother, brother, sister or
relatives, nor with married women, nor female convicts, nor, lastly, with betrothed girls.
"Illicit sexual behavior, when indulged in, developed, & pursued, is
something that leads to hell, leads to rebirth as a common animal, leads to the realm of the hungry
ghosts. The slightest of all the results coming from illicit sexual behavior is
that, when one becomes a human being, it leads to rivalry & revenge.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an08-040.html
"Furthermore, abandoning illicit sex, the disciple of the noble ones
abstains from illicit sex. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom
from oppression to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from
animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in
limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression. This is the
third gift... http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an08-039.html