Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 167Leaving Monastery After Sunset
Pāli / Sanskrit:Leaving monastery after sunset
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The Scripture on Leaving the Monastery after Sunset
Background
This regulation is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha (Pācittiya, lighter violations that require confession). It is one of the important prohibitions related to the discipline of life for bhikkhunīs and bhikkhus in the monastic community.
The background for the arising of this regulation came from incidents that occurred when bhikkhunīs left the monastery at night without another person witnessing it. The Buddha saw that this action could give rise to suspicion, affect the honor of practitioners, and weaken the community’s trust in the Sangha. Therefore, he established this rule to protect both the diligence of practitioners and the good name of the teaching.
This regulation is not merely a prohibition, but also reflects the Buddha’s wisdom in protecting practitioners from circumstances that could cause suspicion or threaten their attainment.
Main Content
This prohibition states clearly: a bhikkhunī should not leave the monastery after sunset, after the time called Samayavyavahāra, the official time ending the day in Buddhist law. If a bhikkhunī leaves the monastery at night, especially without the consent or witness of other monastic sisters, she violates the rule and must perform confession (Pācittiya, penance).
The reason for this regulation is to avoid ambiguous or misleading situations. When leaving the monastery at night, a practitioner may encounter circumstances difficult to control, or may be misunderstood by others concerning her purpose and conduct. This is not suitable to the image of one who follows the Buddha’s path, one who has voluntarily abandoned worldly life for practice.
However, this regulation has recognized exceptions: if there is a legitimate reason such as a medical emergency, or if another person witnesses and permits it, the practitioner may be exempt. What matters is transparency, responsibility, and the management of one’s own actions.
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