The Buddha teaches on misconduct, presenting a fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 4.266 Misconduct

…pe… Attanā ca kāmesumicchācārī hoti, parañca kāmesumicchācāre samādapeti, kāmesumicchācāre ca samanuñño hoti, kāmesumicchācārassa ca vaṇṇaṁ bhāsatiimehi kho …pe….

Attanā ca kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, parañca kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇiyā samādapeti, kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇiyā ca samanuñño hoti, kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇiyā ca vaṇṇaṁ bhāsatiimehi kho …pe….

Tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

…pe… Attanā ca kāmesumicchācārī hoti, parañca kāmesumicchācāre samādapeti, kāmesumicchācāre ca samanuñño hoti, kāmesumicchācārassa ca vaṇṇaṁ bhāsatiimehi kho …pe….

“… They themselves commit sexual misconduct …

Attanā ca kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, parañca kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇiyā samādapeti, kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇiyā ca samanuñño hoti, kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇiyā ca vaṇṇaṁ bhāsatiimehi kho …pe….

They don’t themselves commit sexual misconduct …”

Tatiyaṁ.

Qualities:

Sexual misconduct

Sexual misconduct

Transgression of boundaries in intimate relations—acting on desire in ways that betray trust, cause harm, or violate the commitments of oneself or others.

Also known as: crossing boundaries, infidelity, inappropriate sexual behavior, unfaithfulness to one's partner
Pāli: kāmesumicchācāra
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026