Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Pc 65Lying Down With a Woman
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mātugāmasahaseyya
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THE SUTTA ON LYING DOWN WITH A WOMAN
Background
This rule is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the bhikkhu code, and is devoted to prescribing actions that monastics must avoid. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a set of prohibitions, but a historical record of the arising of disciplinary rules, established successively by the Buddha to protect happiness, purity, and especially the spiritual development of the bhikkhu community.
The background of Mātugāmasahaseyya arose from specific events in the history of the Sangha. The Buddha observed that some monastics were distracted by bodily contact or the habit of sleeping together with women, which contradicted the aspiration of going forth in search of liberation. Such actions not only created suspicion in the lay community, but also weakened the strength of concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā) in the practitioners themselves.
Main Content
The Mātugāmasahaseyya rule states that a bhikkhu should not lie down to sleep in the same place as a woman, whether in a house, a room, or even under the same umbrella. This is not a judgment on the nature of women, but a measure to protect the three modes of conduct — body, speech, and mind — from occasions where sensual thoughts may arise.
This rule is divided into different degrees: from lighter offenses (dukkaṭa) — for which, when violated, a bhikkhu must openly make amends — to heavier violations (pācittiya) depending on the specific circumstances and intention. The key point is to prevent not ordinary interaction, but especially situations that may lead to loss of mental control or actions contrary to the four Brahmavihāras, the four immeasurable states.
In the Theravāda tradition, bhikkhus must always be vigilant (appamāda), careful in every step, every word, and every thought.
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