San Lo Bi Vb Pc 121Sitting in Private

The Rahonisajja Sutta — Sitting Alone in Seclusion

Background

Rahonisajja (from Pāli: raho = private, secluded; nisajja = sitting) is a prohibition in the Vinaya of the Theravāda tradition, found in the Pācittiya section, offenses requiring confession. This prohibition reflects strictness in managing celibate conduct and privacy among members of the Sangha community, especially between monks and nuns.

The historical context of this rule is connected with the need to protect Dharma conduct and maintain purity within the community of the faithful. As Buddhism developed, observance of rules concerning private communication became necessary in order to avoid suspicion, slander, and situations that might harm the reputation of the Sangha community.

Main Content

The Rahonisajja rule prohibits a monk from sitting or remaining alone in seclusion with a woman who is not his relative, without a witness or without being in an open place. This is an offense at the Pācittiya level, meaning that if it is violated, the monk must confess before the Sangha in order to remove the fault.

The reason for this rule is not based on the belief that monastics will necessarily commit improper acts, but on avoiding needless suspicion from the public. Although Buddhism teaches the purification of the mind through the cultivation of concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā), maintaining an outward ethical image is also important so that the Sangha community may be respected and trusted.

This rule also applies to similar situations: a monk should not sit privately in seclusion under a roof, in a house, or in any place where there is no witness, unless the person is a relative or is a nun so old or so young that no suspicion could arise. This shows the profound understanding of the Buddha’s Dharma regarding how the world operates and the social factors that affect faith in the Teaching.