Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 80Sitting in Private

Commentary on the Rahonisajja Sutta (Sitting in Private)

Background

The Rahonisajja Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga of the Pāli Theravāda tradition. This is the section of the Vinaya dealing with offenses (Pācittiya) that bhikkhus must observe. The word "Rahonisajja" means "sitting in private" or "sitting in a secluded place" (raho = private, nisajja = sitting).

This sutta is built upon the foundation of specific incidents from the early history of the Sangha. The rules of the Vinaya were not promulgated by the Buddha in an arbitrary manner, but arose in response to particular situations, in order to protect the purity of the Sangha and to uphold the honor of the Dharma. Rahonisajja is one of the central elements of the Vinaya Piṭaka, pertaining to proper conduct and internal discipline within the Sangha.

Main Content

The Rahonisajja Sutta addresses one of the more subtle situations: when a bhikkhu sits alone with a woman in a secluded place, without any witness present, this may give rise to suspicion and add fuel to doubts concerning the purity of the Sangha. Although such an act may not directly violate the most serious precepts, it creates conditions that facilitate the arising of transgressions, and more importantly, it causes harm to the reputation of Buddhism.

This rule stipulates that a bhikkhu should not intentionally sit in private, in a secluded place (without a witness), with a woman. Should he do so, this constitutes a Pācittiya offense (an offense requiring confession). A Pācittiya is a lighter offense than a Pārājika (a defeat offense) or a Saṅghādisesa (an offense requiring a formal act of the Sangha), yet it still requires disclosure and confession before the Sangha.