San Lo Bu Pm Pc 69Lying Down With a Woman
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mātugāmasahaseyya
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Explanation of the Mātugāmasahaseyya Discourse
On Lying Together With Women
Background
The Mātugāmasahaseyya discourse (Mātugāma: women; sahaseyya: lying together) is a rule found in the Patimokkha of the Theravāda Vinaya, belonging to the Pācittiya class of offenses (wrong conduct requiring confession). This rule reflects the early historical context of the Sangha, when the Buddha established rules of training in order to protect the purity and reputation of the bhikkhus.
The content of this discourse arose from specific events in the practice life of the disciples. When bhikkhus behaved inappropriately with women, this not only harmed their personal image but also weakened the trust of the Buddhist community. The Buddha, with profound understanding of human psychology, set forth this rule to create a protective boundary.
Main Content
The discourse states that a bhikkhu is not permitted to lie together with a woman on the same bed or in the same sleeping place (sahaseyya). This act is considered a Pācittiya offense, that is, an act of lost mindfulness that the practitioner must confess before the community.
The rule does not stop only at the act of lying in the same place, but also includes all situations that create conditions for the mind to be shaken by overly intimate interactions with the opposite sex. Its purpose is not fear or denial of the existence of women, but the maintenance of transparency and integrity in training.
Violation of this rule is an expression of lack of mindfulness (asati) and weakness in moral discipline (sila). It reflects that the practitioner has allowed the mind to be drawn by sense objects, violating the first foundation of Buddhist ethics.
Practical Meaning
The deep nature of this discourse is not fear or hatred of women, but self-mastery and guarding the mind. In the Theravāda tradition, discipline (sila) is the foundation for concentration (samadhi) and wisdom (pañña).
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