Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 151Lying on the Same Bed
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ekamañcatuvaṭṭana
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THE SUTTA ON LYING ON THE SAME BED
Explanation of Ekamañcatuvaṭṭana
Background
This text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Pācittiya section, the rules concerning offenses that require confession. These are detailed guidelines for the whole of daily life among bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, intended to protect the mind of faith, preserve purity, and maintain the dignity of the Sangha.
The sutta arose from a specific situation in the monastic community. Some bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs lay together on a single bed (ekamañca), which raised questions concerning purity of conduct. The Buddha recognized the need to establish a clear rule to prevent suspicions, disputes, or harmful effects on the conditions for practice.
The Vinaya Piṭaka is a collection of rules (Pātimokkha) established not to restrict freedom, but to protect the spiritual life of each monastic. Every rule has its historical background, often called a “paccaya,” the circumstances that gave rise to the rule.
Main Content
The Ekamañcatuvaṭṭana Sutta deals specifically with the matter of lying together on the same bed. According to the rule, for a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī to lie together with a person of the opposite sex on the same bed is considered a Pācittiya offense, an offense requiring confession before the Sangha.
The basic principle of this rule is to maintain pure boundaries between monastics of different sexes. This does not arise from aversion to the body, but from the wish to protect the spirit of practice. When monastics live in excessive closeness, especially in informal situations such as lying together, it may lead to mental afflictions, loss of concentration in practice, or suspicions from the public.
The rule also applies to situations involving laypeople. If a bhikkhu lies on the same bed with a woman, or similarly in the case of a bhikkhunī, this is considered a breach of the rule.
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