Three Kinds of Fornication Committed

Original text of the third section of the Upasaka Five Precepts Sutra: If an upasaka commits sexual misconduct with a human female, non-human female, or animal female in three orifices, he commits an unpardonable offense. If with a human male, non-human male, animal male, eunuch, or hermaphrodite in two orifices, he commits an unpardonable offense. If he resolves to commit sexual misconduct but does not achieve union, he commits a minor pardonable offense. If bodies unite but he ceases without completing the act, he commits a medium pardonable offense. If an upasaka commits sexual misconduct with a maidservant who is already married and has a master, he commits an unpardonable offense. Other minor offenses are as stated above. The three orifices are: mouth, anus, and urinary passage. Apart from these three, sexual acts in other places are pardonable. If an upasaka commits non-standard sexual misconduct with an unbetrothed maidservant, he commits a pardonable offense, but the karmic retribution in later rebirths will be severe.

Explanation: If an upasaka commits sexual acts with a human female, non-human female, or animal female in the three orifices (mouth, anus, urinary passage), he commits an unpardonable offense. If with a human male, non-human male, animal male, eunuch, or hermaphrodite in two orifices (mouth, anus), he commits an unpardonable offense. If he resolves to commit sexual misconduct but has not yet achieved physical union, he commits a minor pardonable offense. If bodies unite but he ceases without completing the act, he commits a medium pardonable offense. If an upasaka commits sexual misconduct with a maidservant who already has a spouse, he commits an unpardonable offense. If he resolves to commit the act but bodies have not united, he commits a minor pardonable offense. If bodies unite but he ceases without completing the act, he commits a medium pardonable offense.

The "three orifices" for sexual misconduct refer to the mouth, anus, and urinary passage. Apart from these three, sexual acts in other places are pardonable. If an upasaka commits non-standard sexual misconduct (not in the three orifices) with an unbetrothed maidservant without a spouse, he commits a pardonable offense, but the karmic retribution in future lives will be severe.

Original text: If an upasaka commits sexual acts in two orifices with his male servants, attendants, or hired laborers, he commits an unpardonable offense. Other minor offenses are as stated above. If an upasaka commits sexual acts with a prostitute without paying, he commits sexual misconduct and an unpardonable offense. If payment is made, there is no offense. If he commits sexual misconduct with a deceased human or even a deceased animal whose genitalia remain intact, and if with a female corpse in three orifices, he commits an unpardonable offense. Minor offenses are as stated above.

Explanation: If an upasaka commits sexual acts in two orifices with his male servants, attendants, or hired laborers, he commits an unpardonable offense. If he resolves to commit sexual misconduct but has not yet achieved physical union, he commits a minor pardonable offense. If bodies unite but he ceases without completing the act, he commits a medium pardonable offense.

If an upasaka commits sexual acts with a prostitute without paying, he commits sexual misconduct and an unpardonable offense. If he provides corresponding value or pays, he does not commit sexual misconduct. If a human or animal dies with genitalia intact, and an upasaka commits sexual acts with the corpse, if it involves a human female corpse or animal female corpse in three orifices, he commits an unpardonable offense. If he resolves to commit the act but bodies have not united, he commits a minor pardonable offense. If bodies unite but he ceases without completing the act, he commits a medium pardonable offense.

A prostitute’s behavior constitutes a transactional act aimed at earning livelihood expenses, not for sexual desire. Since their bodies belong to them personally and are under their own management, they themselves do not violate the precept against sexual misconduct. Men engaging with them must follow transactional rules and pay.

However, if such actions violate public order and morals, they may incur societal moral condemnation. If they violate national laws, they may also face legal sanctions. Modern people live in abundance with multiple income channels, so prostitution does not involve lack of livelihood resources. Thus, the prostitution industry is improper, constituting both precept and legal violations. Specific judgments depend on the individual’s intention, consequences, and impact of the actions.