Lzh Mu Bu Vb Pc 29Sitting in Private

Rahonisajja Sutta — Sitting in Private

Background

Rahonisajja is an instruction found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism, specifically in the Pātimokkha Sutta, the list of precepts for the monastic community. This sutta is recorded in the Pācittiya section, offenses requiring confession and correction. Rahonisajja means “sitting in private” (raho = private; nisajja = sitting), referring to a specific situation concerning the conduct of bhikkhus in the course of practice.

The Buddha established this rule to maintain the purity and clarity of the tradition. The regulations in the Vinaya Piṭaka are not only external restrictions, but educational measures that help monastics train the mind and build ethical conduct. The historical background shows that the early bhikkhus still lacked discipline, so the Buddha continually gave guidance to adjust collective behavior.

Main Content

The Rahonisajja Sutta states that a bhikkhu should not sit in private (rahonisajja) with a woman in certain situations, or, if doing so, there must be witnesses or suitable conditions. This rule reflects the principle of “not giving rise to suspicion,” that is, avoiding actions that may generate doubt about one’s mental or ethical orientation.

The deeper reason for this rule is to protect both the bhikkhu and the woman. In the social context, privacy between men and women can lead to misunderstandings, damage the reputation of the Sangha, and affect the trust of the community. This does not arise from arrogance or distrust of individuals, but from an understanding of the nature of the human mind and the power of actions that seem “harmless.”

The sutta also makes clear that if a bhikkhu violates this rule, he must perform confession (pācittiya). Confession is not merely a verbal admission, but a spiritual process for restoring purity and determination in practice.