Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 65Lying Down With a Woman
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mātugāmasahaseyya
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Discourse on Lying Down With a Woman (Mātugāmasahaseyya)
Background
This discourse is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Pārājika section, offenses of defeat, or in the Pācittiya section, lighter offenses, depending on the school. These are regulations concerning the discipline of the Sangha that the Buddha, the Blessed One, established to protect the virtue and purity of bhikkhus.
The historical arising of this discourse is closely connected with specific situations that occurred in the early monastic community. When bhikkhus failed to maintain discipline or violated inappropriate forms of conduct, the Buddha, the Blessed One, would admonish them and set forth rules (Pātimokkha) to maintain the pure celibate life of monastics. The Mātugāmasahaseyya discourse specifically concerns the issue of a bhikkhu lying down and sleeping together with a woman, an act considered a disciplinary violation.
Main Content
The basic principle advanced by this discourse is that bhikkhus must avoid bodily contact with women, especially in private situations such as lying down and sleeping together. This is not because women are regarded as “impure” or bad in nature, but because a bhikkhu has renounced family life and committed himself to the Buddha’s path through going forth.
The act of lying together with a woman in the same sleeping place (sahaseyya) is regarded as undisciplined conduct because it creates an occasion for unnecessary bodily closeness, which may lead to violations of rules related to sensual desire (kāmacchanda). In the spirit of the Vinaya, this is warned against from the very first signs, rather than waiting until a greater offense has occurred.
This discourse reflects the preventive principle of early Buddhism, avoiding situations likely to lead to violation rather than merely punishing after a violation has already taken place. Bhikkhus are required to maintain clear awareness (sampajañña) and wise attention (yoniso manasikāra) in everything they do.
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