San Lo Bu Pm Ss 2Physical Contact
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kāyasaṁsagga
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Exposition of the Kāyasaṁsagga Scripture (Bodily Contact)
Background
The Kāyasaṁsagga scripture belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, where the rules governing the communal life of monks and nuns are preserved. This collection was formulated in the earliest period of Buddhism, while the Buddha was still alive, to guide disciples in maintaining the discipline and the conduct of training.
The title "Kāyasaṁsagga" (bodily contact) refers to regulations concerning physical contact among monastics, especially rules governing bodily relationships between monastics and other monastics, or between monastics and other people. These are not arbitrary rules, but arise from the deep ethical foundation of the Buddha-Dharma.
Main Content
The Kāyasaṁsagga scripture states that monastics who have gone forth, those who have abandoned household life, need to avoid unnecessary bodily contact with laypeople as well as with one another, except in medical or necessary circumstances. This is intended to protect the spiritual life of practitioners from mental disturbances or attachments unsuitable to the holy life.
Specifically, the scripture teaches that bodily contact should not become habitual or be driven by impure mental states such as greed, hatred, or delusion. These rules are intended to preserve purity (brahmacariya), one of the core elements of the monastic path. When a monastic preserves the word "all" (sabbadā), meaning "always," not allowing the mind to be drawn away by material stimuli, then mental concentration (samādhi) can be firmly maintained.
These rules also protect the reputation of the community of monks and nuns in the eyes of the people. When monastics maintain these boundaries, they show respect for their commitment and contribute to building confidence in the Sangha jewel.
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