San Mg Bu Pm Pc 69Lying Down With a Woman

The Sutta on Lying Down with a Woman

Mātugāmasahaseyya — A Training Rule for Monastics

Background

The sutta “Lying Down with a Woman” (Mātugāmasahaseyya) is a prohibition in the traditional Vinaya of Theravāda Buddhism, recorded as San Mg Bu Pm Pc 69. It is part of the Pāṭimokkha, the code of 227 rules that every monk must observe in order to maintain the purity of the Sangha.

This sutta arose from specific situations in the early monastic community, when disciples did not yet clearly understand the discipline. The Buddha established these rules not to restrict freedom, but to protect the purity of the training life and to prevent dangers that could weaken virtue.

In the Vinaya Piṭaka, rules concerning contact with women are classified as Pācittiya, offenses requiring open confession. This shows the importance that Theravāda Buddhism gives to this matter.

Main Content

The prohibition against lying down with a woman states that a monk must not sleep in the same place as a woman, except in special permitted cases, such as with his mother, sisters, or an elderly person. This rule includes not only lying on the same bed, but also sleeping under the same roof in conditions that could give rise to misunderstanding or loss of vigilance.

This rule is established on the principle of preventing what causes others to doubt one’s training. Even when no actual wrongdoing has occurred, such a sight can harm the honor of the Sangha and create doubt in the minds of Buddhist lay followers.

According to the sequence in the Pāṭimokkha, this rule is recorded specifically with details concerning different circumstances, in order to help monks understand the boundaries of the discipline.

Practical Meaning

From the perspective of Buddhist practice, this prohibition should not be seen as discrimination against or disrespect toward women, but as an expression of carefulness in celibate training.