Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 207Looking at Oneself With Lust
Pāli / Sanskrit:Looking at oneself with lust
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Discourse on Looking at Oneself with a Mind of Lust
Background
This discourse comes from the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, in the Pātimokkha section for the training rules of the Sangha. Specifically, it is one of the Pācittiya rules, lighter offenses requiring confession, reflecting subtle mindfulness toward unmeditative states of mind.
The historical background of the Vinaya rules always begins with specific events in the life of the Sangha. These rules were not issued arbitrarily by the Buddha, but were guidelines established when the Buddha directly observed disciples’ conduct causing disharmony or harming practice. The final purpose of the Vinaya is to support each individual’s practice and protect the purity of the Sangha body.
Main Content
The discourse stipulates that a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī should not look at oneself or another’s body with a mind of lust (rāga). This act, whether an inner contemplation or a direct action, is regarded as a Pācittiya offense because it violates the spirit of brahmacariya (sīla), especially the vow of celibacy.
The mind of lust (rāga) here is not limited to sexual desire, but includes all attachment, craving, or sensual enjoyment. When a practitioner uses the gaze to nourish greedy thoughts about oneself or another, they have created a mental state contrary to pure and tranquil brahmacariya (samatha).
Looking at oneself with a mind of lust is especially emphasized in this discourse. A bhikkhu should contemplate the body, both one’s own and others’, through the perception of unattractiveness (asubha), in order to train the mind to abandon illusions of “I” and “mine.” Instead, one should practice contemplation of the body (kāyānupassanā) objectively, without an attitude of enjoyment or attachment.
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