Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Pc 29Sitting in Private

Explanation of the Rahonisajja Sutta (Sitting in Private)

Background

The Rahonisajja Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha section of the early Buddhist law codes. Its content directly concerns regulations on the actions and conduct of bhikkhus within the community of practice.

The background for the arising of the Rahonisajja Sutta is connected with specific situations that occurred in monasteries in India during the Buddha’s lifetime. The Buddha and his disciples saw the need for clear guidance regarding actions that could cause misunderstanding or affect the confidence of the lay community (upāsaka, upāsikā). Therefore, the rules of practice were established not only to protect the purity of the Sangha, but also to preserve the respect of lay practitioners.

Main Content

The Rahonisajja Sutta addresses situations involving bhikkhus sitting privately with female practitioners, whether bhikkhunīs or laywomen. The main emphasis of the sutta is a warning against actions that, although they may not in themselves violate the most serious prohibitions, have the potential to create suspicion and adversely affect one’s own honor and that of the Sangha.

In fact, the specific content of this sutta in the Pāli Canon has not yet been fully translated, but based on the general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the principal rule is this: actions should be avoided not necessarily because they violate explicit rules such as pārājika or sikkhāpada, but because they violate higher ethical principles intended to protect the honor of the individual and the Dharma.

In particular, the sutta emphasizes that bhikkhus should avoid circumstances in which anyone might infer or suspect a lack of propriety. This is a profound preventive principle, reflecting an attitude of humility, integrity, and self-control in practice.