Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 41Lying Down With a Woman
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mātugāmasahaseyya
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THE SCRIPTURE ON LYING DOWN WITH A WOMAN
Mātugāmasahaseyya Pācittiya
Background
This is one of the Pācittiya rules in the Vinaya of Theravāda Buddhism. Pācittiya rules are offenses that bhikkhus, if they violate them, must acknowledge and confess; they are lighter than Pārājika offenses, the four defeats that lead to expulsion from the Sangha, but still require correction and discipline.
This scripture records a regulation concerning the sexual ethics of bhikkhus, arising from specific situations in the early monastic community. Its formation shows that the Buddha, the Blessed One, discovered or was informed of bhikkhus lying down together with women, whether unintentionally or intentionally, and from that established the rule to protect the purity of the Sangha as well as the honor of women.
Main Content
The Mātugāmasahaseyya rule forbids bhikkhus from lying down together with a woman, even lying in the same place where a woman is lying, sharing one bed, one mat, or one sleeping space. This concerns not only sexual conduct, but also the avoidance of situations that could cause misunderstanding, harm the reputation of the Dharma, or arouse unwholesome thoughts.
This rule applies to all women, regardless of age or status. If a bhikkhu intentionally or unintentionally violates it, he must confess the offense before other bhikkhus during the Uposatha, the twice-monthly recitation ceremony. This restraint is a form of spiritual discipline intended to help the person recognize the fault and diligently correct it.
The scripture also indicates that this rule protects not only the bhikkhu but also laywomen. It maintains clear boundaries between the renunciant life and the sexual bonds of household life, helping to safeguard the purity of practice.
Practical Meaning
The deeper meaning of this rule goes beyond the prohibition of a specific act.
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