Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 81Concealed Places
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paṭicchannokāsa
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The Sutta on Concealed Places (Paṭicchannokāsa)
Background
The Paṭicchannokāsa Sutta (Concealed Places) is a rule in the Pāṭimokkha, the collection of basic ethical rules that monks and nuns must observe. It is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the core of early Buddhism, recorded in Pāli about 2,500 years ago.
The background for the arising of this sutta concerns problems of disciplined conduct in the Sangha. The Buddha established precepts not only to maintain purity of conduct, but also to protect the honor and reputation of the Sangha Jewel. The Paṭicchannokāsa Sutta particularly deals with the issue of concealing unethical actions, when a monk deliberately hides or covers up improper matters.
Main Content
According to the early Vinaya tradition, this sutta teaches that monks and nuns are not permitted to conceal or hide actions that violate the discipline, whether those actions concern body, speech, or mind. In particular, if a monk does something contrary to Dhamma and Vinaya, deliberately concealing that truth is regarded as an additional fault.
The spirit of this sutta is openness (avihita, not concealed) and honesty. This does not mean that a monk must publicly disclose every personal detail, but that he must not use “concealed places” to cover up wrongful conduct or violations of the discipline. “Concealed places” (paṭicchanna-okāsa) here may be understood as situations, lies, or acts that hide the truth.
This rule also implies that when a monk commits an offense, the best way is to confess (āpatti) sincerely, for in the Sangha, openness and humility are respected qualities. Concealment harms not only personal honor, but also weakens the faith of beings in the Sangha Jewel.
Practical Meaning
In the context of modern practice, the Paṭicchannokāsa Sutta teaches us the importance of being honest with ourselves.
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