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In the Buddha's first discourse he identifies craving (''tanha'') as the cause of suffering (''dukkha''). He then identifies three objects of craving: the craving for existence; the craving for non-existence and the craving for sense pleasures (''kama''). ''Kama'' is identified as one of five hindrances to the attainment of ''jhana'' according to the Buddha's teaching. Throughout the Sutta Pitaka the Buddha often compares sexual pleasure to arrows or darts. So in the ''Kama Sutta'' from the ''Sutta Nipata'' the Buddha explains that craving sexual pleasure is a cause of suffering. The Buddha then goes on to say: The 'flood' refers to the deluge of human suffering. The 'far shore' is ''nibbana'', a state in which there is no sexual desire. The meaning of the ''Kama Sutta'' is that sexual desire, like any habitual sense pleasure, brings suffering. To lay people the Buddha advised that they should at least avoid ''sexual misconduct'' which meant following generally accepted norms of sexual morality and behavior. From the Buddha's full-time disciples, the ordained monks and nuns, strict celibacy (called ''brahmacarya'') has always been required. ==Overview== Former Vice President of the Buddhist Society and Chairman of the English Sangha Trust, Maurice Walshe, wrote an essay called 'Buddhism and Sex' in which he presented Buddha's essential teaching on human sexuality and its relationship to the goal (''nibbana''). The third of the five precepts states: ::''Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami'', The literal meaning of this statement is, "I undertake the course of training in refraining from wrong-doing in respect of sensuality." Walshe comments, ::There is, in the Buddhist view, nothing uniquely wicked about sexual offenses or failings. Those inclined to develop a guilt-complex about their sex-life should realize that failure in this respect is neither more, nor, on the other hand, less serious than failure to live up to any other precept. In point of fact, the most difficult precept of all for nearly everybody to live up to is the fourth — to refrain from all forms of wrong speech (which often includes uncharitable comments on other people's real or alleged sexual failings!)...What precisely, then, does the Third Precept imply for the ordinary lay Buddhist? Firstly, in common with all the other precepts, it is a rule of training. It is not a "commandment" from God, the Buddha, or anyone else saying: "Thou shalt not..." There are no such commandments in Buddhism. It is an undertaking by you to yourself, to do your best to observe a certain type of restraint, because you understand that it is a good thing to do. This must be clearly understood. If you don't think it is a good thing to do, you should not undertake it. If you do think it is a good thing to do, but doubt your ability to keep it, you should do your best, and probably, you can get some help and instruction to make it easier. If you feel it is a good thing to attempt to tread the Buddhist path, you may undertake this and the other precepts, with sincerity, in this spirit. The Buddha's teaching arises out of a wish for others to be free from dukkha. According to the doctrine he taught, freedom from suffering involves freedom from sexual desires and the training (Pali: ''sikkha'') to get rid of the craving involves to a great extent abstaining from those desires. This is based on the understanding that indulging in such desires perpetuates the underlying craving. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Buddhism and sexuality」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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