San Lo Bi Vb Pc 130Getting Laywomen to Massage
Pāli / Sanskrit:Gihinī-ummaddāpana
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EXPLANATION OF THE GIHINĪ-UMMADDĀPANA SUTTA
(Contact of Laywomen with Monastics)
Background
This sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha Sutta, the collection of rules of practice that bhikkhus must observe. It is not a discourse of doctrinal teaching, but a disciplinary clause (sekhiya-vatta) intended to protect the purity and faith of the Sangha, as well as to protect the honor of monastics in their interactions with laywomen (gihinī).
The context arose when the Buddha observed bhikkhus allowing laywomen to have contact with their bodies under the name of massage or physical care. Although such conduct might arise from good intentions, it created mistaken perceptions and harmed the image of the Sangha in society.
Main Content
The Gihinī-ummaddāpana clause states that bhikkhus must not allow laywomen to massage (ummaddati), make contact with, or touch parts of their bodies. If a bhikkhu actively allows or encourages this to occur, he violates a training rule (pācittiya).
This rule makes no distinction according to context or reason: whether for treatment, easing pain, or any other purpose, consenting to bodily contact from laywomen is prohibited. The clause applies to all female lay followers, regardless of age or family relationship.
The purpose of this rule is to protect two aspects: first, the protection of the bhikkhu’s virtue (sīla), avoiding actions capable of arousing sensual desire or defiling the purified mind; second, the protection of the Sangha’s honor, avoiding misunderstanding and social criticism that monastics are taking advantage of their religious position in order to seek contact with women.
Practical Meaning
The sutta teaches that a bhikkhu must maintain appropriate boundaries (sambaddha-karaṇā) in all interactions with female lay followers.
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