Alternative spellings of this word include Kamamithyachara.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Kāmamithyācāra (काममिथ्याचार) refers to “wrongful sexual relations”; the abstinence thereof represents one of the three paths classified as “kāyakarma-patha” (paths of bodily action) according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV).—The paths of bodily action (kāyakarma-patha) are three in number: abstaining (virati) from murder (prāṇātipāta), theft (adattādāna), and wrongful sexual relations (kāmamithyācāra).

According to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXII), “if a woman (strī) is under the protection of a father (pitṛrakṣitā), a mother (mātṛ-), a brother (bhrātṛ-), a sister (bhaginī-), a husband (pati-) or a son (putrarakṣitā), or under the protection of the people’s laws (lokadharma) or the king’s laws (rājadharma) and one has intercourse with her, that is illicit sexual activity (kāma-mithyācāra)”.

Also, “If one has intercourse with one’s own wife (kalatra) when she has taken a vow (samādānaśīla), is pregnant (garbhiṇī) or is nursing a child (pāyayanti) – or in a forbidden way (amārga) – that is the illicit practice of sexual activity (kāma-mithyācāra)”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Sydney eScholarship Repository: A Study of the Karma Chapter of the Abhidharmakośa Commentaries

Kāmamithyācāra (काममिथ्याचार) (Tibetan: 'dod pa'i log par g.yem pa) refers to “adultery”.—The Eighth Karmapa, in the refutation of the Nirgrantha stance of action without motivation, asserts that adultery should be preceded by motivation. He argues that since the downfall of actual killing is incurred without motivation to kill (according to the Nirgranthas), it would logically follow that one would commit the wrongdoing of adultery by merely touching and seeing another’s wife without the prior motivation of afflictive mind. With this argument one can conclude that the Eighth Karmapa is certain that motivation should precede adultery. although the mChims mdzod is not explicit about it.—Therefore, it is deducible that motivation is essential in the completion of adultery from the standpoint of Vaibhāṣika according to the understanding of the Eighth Karmapa. This argument follows the view that deliberate thought to engage in sexual activity should precede the action.

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Kāmamithyācāra (काममिथ्याचार) or “improper sexual conduct” refers to one of the “five precepts” (pañcaśīla), according to Buddhist teachings followed by the Newah in Nepal, Kathmandu Valley (whose roots can be traced to the Licchavi period, 300-879 CE).—The moral conduct (śīla) Buddhists follow are the Pañcaśīla, "Five Precepts", for the laity, Aṣṭaśīla, "Eight Precepts", for nuns and novice monks, and Daśaśīla, "Ten Precepts", for fully ordained monks. The Pañcaśīla consists of abstaining from [e.g., kāmamithyācāra, "improper sexual conduct ", ...]

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Kāmamithyācāra (काममिथ्याचार) refers to “sexual misconduct” and represents one of the “ten unwholesome things” (kuśala) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 56). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., kāma-mithyācāra). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Kama, Mithyacara.

Full-text: Mithyacara, Pancashila, Dharmakshanti, Pranatipata, Ten Unwholesome Things, Kushala, Kayakarman, Adattadana, Pancabhaya, Durgati, Abhidharmapitaka, Sukhavihara, Madhyapana, Papakarman.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Kamamithyacara, Kāmamithyācāra, Kama-mithyacara, Kāma-mithyācāra; (plurals include: Kamamithyacaras, Kāmamithyācāras, mithyacaras, mithyācāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)

Part 1 - Definition of illicit love (kāmamithyācāra) < [Section I.3 - Abstention from illicit love]

Part 1 - General definition of dharmakṣānti (patience toward the Dharma) < [Chapter XXV - Patience Toward the Dharma]

2. Generosity and the virtue of morality < [Part 14 - Generosity and the other virtues]

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