Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Pc 77Eavesdropping
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upassuti
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The Sutta on Eavesdropping (Upassuti)
Background
The Sutta on Eavesdropping (Upassuti) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, recording a regulation concerning the behavior of monks and nuns in the Buddhist community. The background arose when Buddha Shakyamuni established prohibitions and rules of virtue for the Sangha, in order to protect the purity of the Buddhist community.
The Vinaya Piṭaka is the first basket in the Tipiṭaka, containing the entire system of discipline (Dhamma-Vinaya) taught by the Buddha. The regulations in the Vinaya Piṭaka are not intended merely for formal discipline, but also aim to nurture the clean and profound spiritual life of those who follow the Buddha’s teaching. The word “Upassuti” includes the meaning of secretly listening, eavesdropping, or listening unofficially — an action considered disrespectful and unethical in the life of the Sangha.
Main Content
The Sutta on Eavesdropping prescribes that monks and nuns must not secretly listen to the conversations, discussions, or teachings of others, especially teachings on the Buddha’s Dharma or private matters of other members of the Sangha. This act is considered a violation of the principle of Pārājika, grave offenses leading to expulsion, or at least a Dukkaṭa, a minor offense that still requires confession.
This regulation is found among the prohibitions related to honesty and respect. It emphasizes that monks and nuns must live with transparency and honesty, and must not stir things up or create disputes by eavesdropping and then repeating another’s words inaccurately. The act of eavesdropping is often accompanied by negative mental reactions: jealousy, unfair judgment, and the creation of conflict in the community.
The Vinaya Piṭaka teaches that monks and nuns with a mind in accordance with the Dharma (sammā-paṭipanna) will overcome the temptations of eavesdropping, because they understand that this act obstructs the development of wisdom (paññā) and a peaceful mind (upasanti citta).
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