Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 78Concealed Places
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paṭicchannokāsa
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EXPLANATION OF THE PAṬICCHANNOKĀSA SUTTA
Concealed Places
Background
The Paṭicchannokāsa Sutta (Concealed Places) belongs to the Pātimokkha, the most fundamental code of the Vinaya Piṭaka and the foundation of early Buddhist monasticism. In the Theravāda tradition, the Pātimokkha consists of rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must preserve, collected as 227 rules for bhikkhus and 311 for bhikkhunīs.
This sutta belongs to the category of Pārājika and Pācittiya offenses, major and minor violations connected with intentional action. The background of this sutta is linked to the event in which the Buddha discovered bhikkhus using concealed places to violate the discipline without being discovered. This was not an unintentional act, but a deliberate concealment, a loosening of discipline and a breach of the rules.
Main Content
The sutta states that a bhikkhu must not hide, conceal, or seek out hidden places in order to carry out prohibited actions. More specifically, if a bhikkhu deliberately conceals an act or seeks a secluded place to do something that violates the discipline, thinking, “I will do this where others cannot see,” then this is a serious violation.
The reason behind this rule is that concealment shows that one knows one is doing wrong. If an act is proper and in accordance with the Dharma, why would it need to be hidden? Concealment shows that conscience has sensed the error, but chooses the path of evading responsibility instead of correction.
The sutta emphasizes that truthfulness (saccavādī) is one of the noblest qualities of a practitioner. A bhikkhu must not only observe the precepts but also live transparently, not concealing his faults. If a violation occurs, openly acknowledging it and repenting is the proper way to restore purity of mind.
Practical Meaning
The Paṭicchannokāsa Sutta teaches that proper moral conduct has nothing to hide.
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