San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Pc 29Sitting in Private

Rahonisajja Discourse (Sitting Alone in Private)

Background

Rahonisajja is a regulation in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the traditional Theravada Pali Canon. This discourse lays the foundation for rules concerning mindfulness, purity, and the management of mental states within the Sangha. It arose from incidents involving bhikkhus who sat alone in private without supervision or openness, leading to conduct inconsistent with the discipline (sīla).

The Buddha prescribed standards concerning the place and manner of sitting in meditation, in order to protect both the purity of each individual and the reputation of the Sangha. This rule did not arise from suspicion or distrust, but from the Buddha's compassion: he wished to protect his disciples from latent impulses and deceptions, while helping them develop the highest self-awareness.

Main Content

Rahonisajja (raho nisajja, “sitting alone in private”) stipulates that bhikkhus should not sit completely alone or secluded, especially with bhikkhunis or other persons. If it is necessary to sit in meditation, the practitioner should sit in public places where others can see, or at least where access is possible. This is called “nissaggiya,” something to be relinquished, with the character of penance.

This rule does not prohibit meditation or spiritual solitude, but focuses on the manner of practice. Bhikkhus are encouraged to meditate in open places, near monasteries, or at minimum in places where their coming and going can be known. This helps prevent wrong thoughts, impure actions, and protects the reputation of the Dharma.

The core of this discourse emphasizes that the study and practice of the Buddha-Dharma is an open and transparent journey. A bhikkhu cultivates not only for himself, but is also a living symbol of the Dharma before society. Mindfulness, purity of livelihood (ājīva-sūddhi), and wisdom (paññā) are inseparable factors.