San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Pc 22Instructing Nuns After Sunset
Pāli / Sanskrit:Atthaṅgata
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ATTHAṄGATA DISCOURSE: INSTRUCTION OF NUNS AFTER SUNSET
Background
Atthaṅgata is a regulation belonging to the Pātimokkha, the basic code for bhikkhunis in the Theravada tradition. This discourse is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha section, where prohibited acts for nuns are prescribed.
According to the historical context, this regulation arose from the living conditions in monasteries during the Buddha's time. In the early period of the Sangha, bhikkhunis had to observe specific restrictions regarding times of contact with bhikkhus in order to protect the strength of their practice and the honor of the ordained community. This was not an unreasonable restriction, but reflected intelligence in safeguarding a pure environment of practice.
The title “Instructing Nuns After Sunset” (Atthaṅgata) means “things reached in the evening” or “instruction of bhikkhunis after sunset.” The Pali term “atthaṅgata” is related to the concept of dusk, when the sun has set, the boundary between day and night in the schedule of practice.
Main Content
The Atthaṅgata regulation specifically concerns the conduct of bhikkhunis in the evening hours. According to the Pātimokkha, bhikkhunis are not permitted to receive Dharma instruction (dhamma desanā) or guidance from bhikkhus after sunset (samayaggahita, outside the prescribed time).
The reason is simple yet profound: in the evening, when light diminishes, contact between men and women can easily be misunderstood, and may even lead to conduct inappropriate to the precepts. The Buddha-Dharma clearly recognizes that the physical environment affects consciousness. Therefore, separating the time for instruction is a preventive measure, not discrimination.
This discourse belongs to the class of rules called Pācittiya, offenses requiring confession, a medium level of transgression in the Pātimokkha system. If a bhikkhuni violates it, she must confess and make amends before the Sangha, but she does not lose her ordained status.
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