Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Pj 1Sexual Intercourse
Pāli / Sanskrit:Methunadhamma
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Exposition of the Methunadhamma Sutta (The Rule on Sexual Conduct)
Background
The Methunadhamma Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic code for monks and nuns. This sutta was taught by the Blessed Buddha on the occasion of addressing violations of ethical discipline in the early Sangha.
The historical context shows that Early Buddhism built the Vinaya Piṭaka with subtlety, in order to protect the purity of the Sangha and maintain the aim of liberation. Rules concerning sexual conduct are not suppression or denial of nature, but legal guidance helping renunciants focus on the path of practice. Methunadhamma (methuna = sexual intercourse; dhamma = law, principle) is defined and regulated through the Pārājika offenses, the gravest offenses for monks, and through different rules for other monastic groups.
Main Content
According to the Early Buddhist Vinaya, Methunadhamma includes all sexual conduct forbidden to those who have gone forth. Specifically, if a monk engages in sexual intercourse, in any form, whether actual or by inference, he violates Pārājika, the offense of defeat, meaning removal from the Sangha. This is the highest level of offense.
The Vinaya analyzes cases in detail: from mental intention (cetanā, the intention for intercourse), to action (kāya-sañcāra, movement of the body), and result (phala, completed result). Early Buddhism not only forbids the act, but also emphasizes the role of mental intention. An act is considered a disciplinary violation only when three factors are complete: (1) an appropriate object, (2) intention, and (3) completed action.
For bhikkhunīs, the rules are similar but are presented in the Bhikkhunī-Pātimokkha with appropriate refinements. In addition, these rules also apply to lower statuses such as sāmaṇera and sāmaṇerī, novices who have not yet received full ordination.
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