By Anonymous
Let’s start with the literal translation of the Pali precept: “wrong or evil conduct with regard to sensual things”; sometimes translated as “unlawful sexual intercourse” in reference to adultery, and to intercourse with minors or other persons “under guardianship”.
You have to say, it’s pretty straightforward. In contemporary dharma circles it is updated to: “being wise with our sexuality,” expanding the precept to sexual energy and any behavior that is potentially harmful to another or to ourselves. Nonetheless, the original meaning is clear. No adultery. No sex with minors.
Let’s see where Thich Nhat Hanh takes it:
“The Third Mindfulness Training: Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.”
[While there are those who might quibble with whether sex can be enjoyed without long term commitment and can be done responsibly in alignment with the spirit of the precepts, and others might point out that ethical polyamory could also still conform to the precept, lets focus on his final sentence when aligning an institutional critique with the five precepts.]
Were we to thoroughly commit to this precept, we “would do everything in our power to protect children from sexual abuse.” The teaching couldn’t be clearer. And from this clarity, a Buddhist critique of the Epstein files coverup must be born.
While the American public and now the world watches the delayed and redacted release of the Epstein files most of us who are paying even a little bit of attention are probably overwhelmed both by the sheer information and the ongoing dawning of what some people are now calling, “The Epstein Class”: A worldwide group of obscenely wealthy individuals who benefited from each other’s access to power and privilege. It looks like (and this may change) many of them received outrageous favors like getting internships for their children, private planes, legally suspect financial advice, and holiday visits to Epstein Island, sometimes accompanied by their multiple nannies. Meanwhile there was a subgroup who were participants in sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking of underage girls, some as young as 9 years old. It’s horrifying. We’ve heard about the parties; we’ve seen the napkin drawings. Yet each day reveals more atrocities (and there’s still a million more files to go). Now it appears Epstein was a eugenicist who was breeding children on his ranch in New Mexico where women were subject to horrific abuse. I thought it couldn’t get weirder. Yes, it can.
And throughout it all, while European prime ministers and heads of state and even some Middle East leaders are stepping down from power in ignominy, in the United States we have not had one prosecution. No American man in power has admitted wrongdoing. No one has apologized. The Bondi hearings were a travesty. The victims are exposed and continue to be exploited through lack of indictments.
It’s pretty obvious to say that the Epstein coverup, which protects the rich and powerful abusers, is in direct contradiction of the third precept.
Absence of justice for victims is kamesu micchacara. Letting the abusers off the hook due to corruption and malfeasance is kamesu micchara. Undeniably the sexual abuse and trafficking of underage girls writ large over decades and made acceptable by the wealthy and untouchable is kamesu micchacara.
What’s a Buddhist to do?
“I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse.” Simply put by the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, this is the call. Protect children. Justice for the victims. Consequences for the perpetrators. End the coverup.
If you’re reading this likely you’re not part of the rich and powerful Epstein Class. You’re probably thinking, who am I? What can I do? Well, in this email we list a few things you can do. Call your senators to demand the release of the full Epstein files. Applaud Raskin and other congress people for their doggedness, call for the firing of the abusers, starting with Lutnick [LIST]…. All the way to Trump himself. We’ve listed some actions and a meditation connected to it.
As Buddhists committed to the precept, we must hold those responsible for sexual abuse accountable. We must stop the grievous abuse of women. We must hold accountable the pedophilia culture in which we all live.
The time is now.
Buddhist Ethics & Action Network 