Lzh Mu Bi Vb Pc 161Getting Nuns to Massage

Bhikkhunī-ummaddāpana Sutta

(The Discourse on Telling Bhikkhunīs to Massage)

Background

In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, rules concerning the body and physical actions among bhikkhunīs are prescribed in detail in order to protect the right concentration of the life of practice. The Bhikkhunī-ummaddāpana Sutta (the discourse on causing female renunciants to massage) is one of the rules related to bodily contact among bhikkhunīs.

The context of this discourse arose from a specific event in the early monastic community. The Buddha observed inappropriate conduct occurring among bhikkhunīs, especially when some used the pretext of health care or recreation to engage in improper bodily contact. To protect the purity of residence and the dignity of monastic life, the Buddha laid down clear rules.

Main Content

This rule states that bhikkhunīs should not use massage (ummaddāna) or bodily care as a reason for touching one another in improper ways. In particular, allowing others to massage unnecessary parts of the body, or allowing people who are not physicians or qualified attendants to perform such actions, is strictly prohibited.

This Vinaya text does not prohibit all massage or bodily care; such actions may be necessary in cases of illness or injury. However, it clearly distinguishes between acts with a valid medical purpose and acts that dispel discomfort or seek sensual pleasure through bodily contact. The rule emphasizes that the purpose (cetanā) behind each action is the decisive factor.

When there is a need for massage or bodily treatment, the rule recommends seeking those with sufficient competence and professionalism, or doing it oneself if possible. A bhikkhunī who deliberately causes other bhikkhunīs to massage her in an abusive way is considered to have violated the rule.