9. All theft‑type transgressions of sexual misconduct: bribing for illicit intercourse, contriving schemes to seduce others, using bribes to entrap others into sexual acts. Fifteen penalties. Lifespan and emoluments are reduced according to the offence, and the offender is entered into the register of collapse and ruin. In this life, retribution comes via official punishment and ruin, or unprovoked affliction and swift calamity. After death, one falls into the Cauldron‑Boiling Hell, the Slaughter‑Cutting Hell, and the Universal‑Scourging Hell. Reborn female, one becomes a servant, slave or prostitute, before subsequent rebirth as beasts such as tigers, wolves, jackals and leopards.
10. All transgressions of sexual misconduct committed through coercive authority: committing sexual offences by virtue of power, compelling others into intercourse under pretext. Fifteen penalties. Lifespan and emoluments are reduced according to the offence, and the offender is entered into the register of ruin and fracture. In this life, retribution manifests as successive unprovoked misfortunes, malignant ailments and violent death. After death, one falls into the Vajra Hell, the Cold‑Gloom Hell, and the Slaughter‑Cutting Hell. Upon rebirth one is maimed, destitute and without support, enduring constant hardship, before being reborn among aquatic creatures or ferocious beasts.
11. All transgressions of sexual misconduct involving abduction and rape: seizing others for rape, engaging in group sexual violence, intoxicating others to violate them, compelling and seizing persons for intercourse. Fifteen penalties. Lifespan and emoluments are reduced, and the offender is entered into the register of utter overthrow. In this life, retribution brings ruin, displacement, destitution, malignant sickness and violent death. After death, one falls into the Slaughter‑Cutting Hell and the Copper‑Pillar Hell. Reborn female, one becomes a prostitute, before subsequent rebirth as oxen or dogs.
12. All theft‑type transgressions of sexual misconduct: beguiling others through crafty stratagems, seizing sexual favors by opportunistic means. Fifteen penalties. Lifespan and emoluments are reduced according to the offence, and the offender is entered into the register of the down‑trodden. In this life, retribution consists of official punishment, unprovoked disaster and abject ruin. After death, one falls into the Fire‑Chariot Hell, the Cold‑Gloom Hell, and the Universal‑Scourging Hell. Reborn maimed with festering sores and reduced to destitution, one is later reborn among aquatic beings.
Appendix VII Explanatory Annotations on Divine Sovereign Guan Sheng’s Scripture on Abstaining from Licentiousness
The Author’s Preface
Social mores are gradually becoming depraved in current times, and licentious conduct is especially prevalent. With open social communication, many married men seek casual extramarital affairs, regarding themselves as romantic and unrestrained; some married women pursue clandestine lovers outside wedlock, boasting of such deeds as noble conduct. Influenced by foreign customs, young people indulge in pornographic publications that disturb their minds, as well as romantic dramas that distract their souls. Unable to control their carnal urges, they constantly breach moral bounds. When these relationships fail to come to fruition, endless tragedies follow, which is truly pitiful. The sacred ethical bonds of humanity have degraded into mere animalistic desire. Furthermore, many wicked people abuse and rape innocent women, and their grave sins can never be pardoned. The hells are packed with condemned souls punished for sexual offences. Those who commit such misdeeds ought to wake up promptly and mend their ways.
Bustling streets are lined with venues catering to immoral lust, some running openly and others operating covertly. Though the authorities impose strict bans, diabolically cunning operators, blinded by greed, dare to defy the law for profit. Lustful crowds flock to these places, squandering money and ruining their health to indulge themselves. Many contract venereal diseases that plague themselves and afflict future generations, triggering marital discord and countless broken families. Indecent cases frequently appear in news reports; some even develop into fatal killings caused by distorted infatuation. From this, one can catch a glimpse of the undeniable truth that licentious desire brings greater disasters than floods and ferocious beasts. As an ancient proverb runs: Licentiousness ranks first among all evils; never embark on this road to perdition. How can people ignore this solemn warning?
The Divine Sovereign proclaims: Licentiousness is the chief of all evils; filiality is the foremost of all virtues.
Explanatory Note: The Divine Sovereign states, “Licentiousness is the chief of all evils; Filiality is the foremost of all virtues.” To visit prostitutes constitutes licentiousness; illicit affairs with married women of other households also count as licentious conduct. “All evils” refers to every kind of wicked deed. The word “chief” here means the primary one. Though countless evils exist in the world, violating other men’s wives and daughters and ruining their chastity ranks as the gravest sin of all.