Lzh Dg Bu Pm Pc 43Intruding on a Couple Enjoying Themselves
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sabhojana
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THE SUTTA ON INTRUDING ON A MARRIED COUPLE
Background
The Sabhojana Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, an indispensable part of the threefold system of Buddhist legal teachings in Early Buddhism. Specifically, this discourse is found in the Pātimokkha, the basic code governing the actions of bhikkhus.
The situation raised in the discourse originated from a specific event at Sāvatthi, where the Buddha often resided. A bhikkhu intruded upon the privacy of a married couple engaged in affectionate or sexual activities. This action was considered disrespectful, a violation of ethical norms and of the purpose of practice for a follower of the Buddha.
When the Buddha heard of this, he established a training rule (sikkhāpada) to prohibit bhikkhus from behaving improperly in similar situations, thereby protecting mutual respect and maintaining the ethics of the Sangha.
Main Content
The Sabhojana Sutta, in the historical context of the early Sangha, reflects the Buddha’s effort to build a community of monastics who observe clear rules of conduct. The act of the bhikkhu described above is regarded as an intrusion into privacy (avihitaṃ), an important concept in Buddhism.
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, any action that violates the rules set forth by the Buddha must be judged publicly before the Sangha. If the intrusion reaches a certain level, whether pārājika, saṅghādisesa, or pācittiya, the bhikkhu must acknowledge the fault, make a confession (paṭidesanā), and accept appropriate penalties for correction.
The provision related to Sabhojana reminds a bhikkhu that he should not pay attention to or interfere in the private moments of others, whether laypeople or renunciants. This reflects the principle of respect (sīla), one of the three pillars of Buddhist practice, alongside concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā).
Practical Meaning
The Sabhojana Sutta teaches us about respectful boundaries and genuine spiritual cultivation.
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