Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Pc 73Deception
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mohana
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The Sutta on Delusion (Mohana) - An Explanation of the Vinaya Piṭaka
Background
The Sutta on Delusion (Mohana) appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically among the prohibitions (Pātimokkha) and their detailed explanations. This is an important part of the discipline in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, intended to govern and educate bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in the Sangha.
In ancient times, when Buddha Gotama was alive, he issued training rules based on specific situations that arose in the Sangha. Each prohibition has an origin story explaining why the Buddha laid it down. The Sutta on Delusion concerns one of the prohibitions related to deception, concealment of the truth, or intentionally causing others to misunderstand one’s conduct.
Main Content
The word “Mohana” means deception, concealment, or the causing of a state of confusion (moha, delusion). In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this prohibition usually concerns actions by which bhikkhus intentionally mislead or deceive the Buddha, fellow practitioners, or faithful laypeople.
Specifically, this sutta judges cases in which a bhikkhu deliberately conceals a fault, pretends to possess higher virtue than he actually has, or intentionally acts so that others misunderstand the nature of that action. This deception is considered a violation of the spirit of the discipline — not merely committing a wrong action directly, but also denying or concealing it.
The Vinaya Piṭaka emphasizes that clear comprehension (sampajañña) and truth are core elements in practice. A bhikkhu must live with complete transparency regarding his actions. If he violates a rule, instead of concealing it, the practitioner must actively confess and make amends (paṭidesanā).
Practical Meaning
However, the specific detailed content of the Sutta on Delusion according to the Vinaya method has not yet been fully translated in available materials.
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