Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 75Masturbation
Pāli / Sanskrit:Talaghātaka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Talaghātaka Discourse (Masturbation)
Background
The Talaghātaka discourse is a rule in the Pātimokkha of the traditional Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, belonging to the category of Pācittiya, violations requiring confession and reform. The background for the arising of this rule records an account connected with a bhikkhu whose sensual desire remained strong and who sought to satisfy his desire through the act of stimulating his own sexual organ. The Buddhas and the Sangha, recognizing that this conduct is contrary to the spirit of practice for liberation, identified it as a notable violation.
This rule reflects the practical purpose of the Vinaya Piṭaka, not to punish, but to guide renunciants in maintaining pure mindfulness, preserving celibate discipline, and developing the concentration (samādhi) necessary for practice. The Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka has always been regarded as a tool for building a harmonious community and creating optimal conditions for awakening.
Main Content
The act of stimulating one’s own sexual organ is considered a violation because it reflects that one has not truly abandoned craving (taṇhā), especially craving for sensual pleasure (kāma-taṇhā). For renunciants, this action is evidence that the mind has not been trained, the sense faculties have not been guarded (indriya-saṃvara), and there is the danger of leading to more serious violations.
The rule emphasizes that when a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī performs the act of Talaghātaka, that person must publicly confess this fault before the community (pabbajjā). This publicity is not for humiliation, but to help the practitioner fully recognize the wrongness of the action and reestablish determination in practice. The process of confession includes admitting the fault, revealing the intention to reform, and undertaking not to repeat the offense.
Practical Meaning
The profound meaning of this rule lies in acknowledging that Buddhist practice is not harsh imposition, but a struggle with oneself in order to reach wisdom and peace of mind.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.