Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pj 1Sexual Intercourse

METHUNADHAMMA SUTTA (SEXUAL INTERCOURSE)

Background

In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, Methunadhamma is one of the initial prohibitions established by the Buddha for the community of bhikkhus. This code is recorded in detail in the Pātimokkhas — the monthly recitation of disciplinary vows for Buddhist renunciants.

This text reflects the early stage of the bhikkhu community, when the Buddha needed to establish fundamental rules to protect the spiritual nature of the monastic life. The prohibitions were established not because the actions themselves are eternally sinful, but because they create obstacles to diligent practice and break the commitment to celibacy of those who have gone forth.

The historical context shows that the Buddha laid down these prohibitions after incidents involving offending bhikkhus, in order to maintain purity and discipline within the Sangha.

Main Content

Methunadhamma — from the Pāli methuna (sexual intercourse) and dhamma (principle / rule) — is clearly stipulated: a bhikkhu, a bhikkhunī, or anyone who has gone forth in Buddhism, if intentionally engaging in any sexual act, regardless of the object (a woman, a man, or even an animal), is regarded as having committed a Pārājika offense — that is, one of the gravest prohibitions, leading to loss of bhikkhu status and exclusion from the Sangha.

This applies not only to a fully completed act, but also to compromises involving bodily contact or intention. This rule was established with absolute clarity, leaving no space for ambiguous interpretation.

In the Pātimokkha and other Vinaya texts, this is presented in detail through the contexts of specific cases, so that practitioners may clearly understand the boundaries and the reasons behind each rule.

Practical Meaning

The prohibition of Methunadhamma is not merely about morality or controlling physiology. It is an expression of a fundamental principle in Theravāda Buddhism: Brahmacariya — the pure celibate life.