Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Ss 1Masturbation
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sukkavisaṭṭhi
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Exposition of the Sukkavisaṭṭhi Sutta (The Act of Self-Emission)
Background
Sukkavisaṭṭhi is a rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the early Buddhist tradition, belonging to the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the rules that establish the ethical foundation for renunciant practitioners. This sutta was recorded in the setting of the Buddha and his disciples at monastic dwellings, where the Buddha continually refined the rules in order to instruct the community of practitioners (bhikkhus).
The act of self-emission (sukkavisaṭṭhi) is not a sexual act with another person, but an act involving one’s own body for the purpose of satisfying sensual desire. This is an ethical issue directly related to the Brahmacariyavrata, the vow to live a pure life, one of the fundamental commitments of renunciant practitioners.
Main Content
In the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Buddha determines that self-emission is an act that violates the vow of Brahmacariya, the pure life. Unlike sexual acts with another person, which may lead to more serious penalties such as Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa, self-emission is classified as a Dukkaṭa or Pācittiya offense depending on the specific circumstances.
This rule is established on the principle of mindfulness (sati) and self-control (dama). The Buddha emphasized that renunciant practitioners have left household life in order to practice; therefore they must maintain purity in action, speech, and thought. The act of self-emission, though private, still reflects a lack of restraint over sensual desire and therefore contradicts the entire purpose of the renunciant life.
This rule is also understood in light of other factors, such as the dwelling place (vihāra), the presence of others, and the intention behind the act. These factors affect the degree of offense and the corresponding penalty.
Practical Meaning
From the perspective of ethical practice, Sukkavisaṭṭhi is not only about controlling action, but also about training the mind. Sensual desire (kāma) is one of the three poisons, craving (tṛṣṇā), that bind us to the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra).
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