Mpt Pc 65Lying Down With a Woman
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mātugāmasahaseyya
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Exposition of the Mātugāmasahaseyya Discourse (Lying Down With a Woman)
Background
The Mātugāmasahaseyya discourse is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the collection of ethical rules that bhikkhus must observe. This discourse concerns avoiding sensitive conduct between male bhikkhus and women, in order to protect spiritual purity and preserve the trust of the Buddhist community.
The historical context of this rule arose from specific situations that the Buddha witnessed as his male disciples practiced the Dharma. To prevent misunderstandings and harmful intentions, and to maintain the purity of the Sangha, the Buddha established clear guidelines. This rule did not arise from anger or discrimination, but from his incomparable compassion, wishing to protect both bhikkhus and women.
Main Content
The Mātugāmasahaseyya discourse forbids bhikkhus from sleeping under the same roof with a woman, whoever that woman may be and whatever the conditions. The purpose of this rule is clear: to avoid every circumstance that could lead to unwholesome actions or thoughts. In Theravāda Buddhism, the concept of "avoiding the moment," understanding that the human mind easily changes and is easily tempted, is valued. Therefore, this rule is not a judgment but a practical preventive measure.
According to the Vinaya, if a bhikkhu violates this rule, he must acknowledge the offense and perform the appropriate penance. The degree of violation is classified based on intention and the specific action. This reflects the subtlety of Theravāda Buddhism: the Dharma considers not only external results, but also the mind (cetanā), the intention behind the action.
This rule also has social meaning.
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