Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 66Deception

The Sutta on Deception (Mohana) — The Theravāda Buddhist Vinaya

Background

The Sutta on Deception (Mohana) is found in the Disciplinary Code, the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the Vinaya code for bhikkhus. This code is the foundation of the Theravāda Buddhist organization of the Sangha, compiled after the Buddha’s parinirvana to maintain discipline and the spirit of practice within the renunciant community.

The rule on deception is placed among the Pācittiya rules, that is, lesser violations requiring confession. In the context of the Buddhist Sangha, the concept of “deception” is not limited to crude lying, but includes acts of hiding, disguise, or concealing the truth in order to exert harmful influence on the community or exploit the position of a monastic.

Main Content

The rule on deception stipulates that a bhikkhu must not exploit or manipulate others through concealment, disguise, or fraud. More specifically, if a bhikkhu deliberately hides his own bad actions or pretends to possess higher virtue than he actually has in order to gain respect, offerings, or personal benefit, this is a Pācittiya offense.

This rule differs from Pārājika, an irreversible offense, and Saṅghādisesa, an offense requiring communal reconciliation. Deception is considered an ethical fault that must be confessed immediately before another bhikkhu, because it threatens the clarity and trust of the Sangha.

The historical context of this rule often concerns specific cases: a bhikkhu pretending to have lofty meditative attainments or pretending to observe the Vinaya perfectly in order to be praised by laypeople and provided with robes and food. Or a bhikkhu deliberately concealing his faults before the Buddha or the elders.