Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 30Sitting in Private

Sutta on Rahonisajja — Sitting in Private

Background

The Rahonisajja Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka within the Theravāda tradition, specifically to the Pātimokkha (the Code of Discipline). These are the disciplinary regulations that the Buddha proclaimed for monks, with the aim of maintaining harmony, purity, and focus within the Sangha.

The Vinaya Piṭaka was recorded on the basis of specific situations that the Buddha encountered in the course of his teaching. Each rule is accompanied by an "origin story" (Apadāna) recounting the event that prompted the Buddha to proclaim that particular rule. The Rahonisajja Sutta concerns one of the fundamental regulations pertaining to the conduct of monks when they are alone in private with women.

This context reflects practical concerns: when monks sit in private (rahonisajja) with women, many have a tendency to become lax, leading to violations of diligent practice. This causes harm to the honor of the Dharma and undermines the trust of the lay community in the Sangha.

Main Content

The Rahonisajja Sutta stipulates that monks should not sit alone in private (ekacca-nisajja) with women, or, if they must do so, they must abide by certain conditions. Specifically, this rule emphasizes that if a monk sits alone in private with a woman in a secluded place, with no other witness present, this is considered improper and constitutes a breach of discipline.

The Sutta makes clear that such situations may lead to more serious offenses. Therefore, in order to guard against transgressions, the Buddha proclaimed a preventive training rule (Sekhiya Dhamma), requiring monks to exercise care in their conduct. If it is necessary to meet with a woman in order to offer counsel or spiritual support, a third person must be present as a witness, or the meeting must take place in a public, open setting.