Editing Five precepts (section)

== Third precept ==

=== Textual analysis ===
The third precept condemns sexual misconduct. This has been interpreted in classical texts to include any form of sexual misconduct, which would therefore include inappropriate touching and speech, with a married or engaged person, fornication, rape, incest, sex with a minor (under 18 years, or a person "protected by any relative"), and sex with a prostitute.{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |pp=71–72}} In later texts, details such as intercourse at an inappropriate time or inappropriate place are also counted as breaches of the third precept.{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |p=73}} Masturbation goes against the spirit of the precept, because of wrongful fantasy. As a manner of uncelibacy, it is not prohibited for laypeople.{{sfn |Leaman |2000 |page=140 }}{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |p=72}}

The third precept is explained as preventing profound spiritual damage to oneself and others. The transgression is regarded as more severe if the other person is a good person.{{sfn |Leaman |2000 |page=140 }}{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |p=72}} Virtues that go hand-in-hand with the third precept are contentment, especially with one's partner,{{sfn |Cozort |2015}}{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |p=68}} and recognition and respect for faithfulness in a marriage, and respect for the sexual nature of oneself and others.{{sfn |Wijayaratna |1990 |pages=166–67}}

=== In practice ===
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The third precept is interpreted as avoiding harm to another by using sexuality in the wrong way. This means not engaging with inappropriate partners, but also respecting one's personal commitment to a relationship.{{sfn |Meadow |2006 |p=88 }} In some traditions, the precept also condemns adultery with a person whose spouse agrees with the act, since the nature of the act itself is condemned.<!--only Harvey--> Furthermore, flirting with a married person may also be regarded as a violation.<!--both-->{{sfn |Terwiel |2012 |p=183}}{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |pp=71–72}} Though prostitution is discouraged in the third precept, it is usually not actively prohibited by Buddhist teachers.{{sfn |Derks |1998}} With regard to applications of the principles of the third precept, the precept, or any Buddhist principle for that matter, is usually not connected with a stance against contraception.<ref name="Bioethics">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Redmond | first=Geoffrey P. |article=Eugenics and Religious Law: IV. Hinduism and Buddhism |date=2004 |orig-year=1995 |publisher=[[The Gale Group]] |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Bioethics |article-url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/eugenics-and-religious-law-iv-hinduism-and-buddhism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824071911/https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/eugenics-and-religious-law-iv-hinduism-and-buddhism |archive-date=24 August 2018 |url-status=live |via=Encyclopedia.com}}</ref>{{sfn |Perrett |2000 |page=112}} In traditional Buddhist societies such as Sri Lanka, pre-marital sex is considered to violate the precept, though this is not always adhered to by people who already intend to marry.{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |p=72}}{{sfn |Gombrich |1995 |p=298 }}

In the interpretation of modern teachers, the precept includes any person in a sexual or a dependent relationship, for example as someone's child, with another person, as they define the precept by terms such as ''sexual responsibility'' and ''long-term commitment''.{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |pp=71–72}} Some modern teachers include masturbation as a violation of the precept,{{sfn |Harvey |2000 |p=74}} others include certain professions, such as those that involve sexual exploitation, prostitution or pornography, and professions that promote unhealthy sexual behavior, such as in the entertainment industry.{{sfn |Johansen |Gopalakrishna |2016 |page=342 }}