Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 91Lying on the Same Sheet

Sutta on Lying on the Same Mat

Ekattharaṇatuvaṭṭana

Background

This appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pācittiya section, regulations concerning definite offenses requiring confession. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the foundation of discipline for the bhikkhu Sangha in the Theravāda tradition. These rules were established by the Buddha to maintain purity in the monastic community, protecting both the dignity of the bhikkhus and the trust of the lay community.

The sutta “Lying on the Same Mat” (Ekattharaṇatuvaṭṭana) concerns regulations on the daily life of male and female monastics, especially acts that could lead to impropriety or misunderstanding regarding their celibate way of life. This context reflects the Buddha’s meticulous care for the reputation and integrity of the Sangha Jewel, one of the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

Main Content

The sutta states that a bhikkhu should not lie on the same mat (attharaṇa) with a bhikkhunī in circumstances that could lead to ambiguity or suspicion. The specific content of this sutta has not been fully translated, but according to the general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this regulation is meant to ensure that monastics maintain clear boundaries in their relationships with one another.

This rule is part of the Pācittiya, offenses that require public confession before the community but do not lead to expulsion from the order. It reflects the principle of “dhamma-vinaya” (Dharma and Discipline), in which an action is not necessarily bad in itself, but in the context of practice it can create limitations for spiritual diligence.

The basis of this rule arises from the Buddha’s deep understanding of human nature and the latent dangers of excessive intimacy in a monastic context. By establishing clear boundaries, he helps bhikkhus focus on the main aim: liberation from suffering.