San Lo Bu Pm Pc 70Sitting in Private
Pāli / Sanskrit:Rahonisajja
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Rahonisajja Discourse: Sitting in Private
Background
Rahonisajja (Sitting in Private) is a prohibition in the Pātimokkha, the basic code for bhikkhus in the Theravāda tradition. Recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka, this discourse reflects the first regulations issued by the Buddha to govern the conduct of the monastic community.
The history of this discourse is connected with a specific incident: bhikkhus in the Buddha’s time sat privately with women (bhikkhunis or laywomen) in secluded places. Although at first this was not a direct violation of celibate purity, it created dangers to the honor of the Sangha and conditions in which undesirable situations could arise. Therefore the Buddha issued a prohibitory rule, even though the action had not reached the gravest offense (pārājika).
Main Content
The Rahonisajja rule belongs to the Dukkata class, one of the lighter categories of offense in the Pātimokkha system. Specifically, it prohibits bhikkhus from sitting privately (rahonisajja) with a woman in a secluded area where there is no third person as witness. This applies even when no improper act has occurred.
This rule is established on the principle of “preventing from the root” (ādibrahmacariya): rather than merely prohibiting acts of violation, the Buddha also prohibited the conditions that could lead to violation. This expresses profound wisdom regarding human psychology and the factors that can weaken the vow of diligent restraint.
The Pātimokkha states clearly: if a bhikkhu deliberately sits privately with a woman in a secluded place, he has committed a Dukkata offense. Confession and change of conduct are the way to deal with this violation. The rule also provides exceptions, such as when a third person is present, or in necessary circumstances related to the Dharma, such as teaching the Dharma or caring for the sick.
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