Lzh Mg Bu Pm Pc 25Sitting in Private
Pāli / Sanskrit:Rahonisajja
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Sutta on Rahonisajja — Sitting in Private
Background
The Rahonisajja Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, within the collection of rules governing the conduct of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The regulations in the Vinaya Piṭaka were recorded on the basis of specific situations that the Buddha addressed, with the aim of protecting morality, maintaining order within the Saṅgha, and preserving the trust of the lay community.
The Rahonisajja (from Pāli: raho = private, nisajja = sitting) pertains to the rule concerning a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī sitting in private with a person of the opposite sex. This is one of the elements designed to protect the celibate life of monastics from suspicion or criticism by society, and also to help them maintain concentration and mental composure in their practice.
Principal Content
The rule concerning "sitting in private" (rahonisajja) prohibits a male bhikkhu from sitting in private with a female bhikkhunī, and vice versa. This is regarded as one of the Pātimokkha rules — the primary precepts that every monastic must observe. Violation of this rule is considered one of the serious offences.
The reason for this rule is not one of distrust or discrimination, but is grounded in a practical principle: to protect the purity of moral conduct (brahmacariya), to avoid circumstances in which sensual desire may arise, and more importantly, to safeguard the honor of the Saṅgha in the eyes of the lay people. The Buddha taught that those who have gone forth must be pure not only in mind but also in outward appearance (rūpa-suddhi), meaning they must avoid any situation that might give rise to suspicion or reproach.
The Sutta makes clear that those who violate this rule must acknowledge their fault and confess (pācittiya) before the Saṅgha. If they voluntarily acknowledge their transgression, they have the opportunity to restore their relationship with the Saṅgha. However, if the violation is repeated without confession, the consequences become more serious.
Practical Significance
The deeper significance of this rule lies not in the imposition of unreasonable restrictions, but in the understanding of the nature of the human mind.
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