San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Pc 76Eavesdropping
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upassuti
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Upassuti Discourse (Eavesdropping)
Background
The Upassuti Discourse is one of the disciplinary regulations belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha Saṃvara, the basic precepts and rules of the Sangha. The context of the discourse arose from real disciplinary violations in the monastic community during the lifetime of the Buddha Gotama.
According to the Theravāda tradition, the rules in the Vinaya Piṭaka are not abstract commands, but living instructions arising from specific situations in which bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs committed violations. The Buddha witnessed inappropriate conduct and then established a rule to prevent similar violations in the future. The Upassuti Discourse concerns the act of "listening secretly" or "eavesdropping," that is, intentionally listening to the private conversations of others without permission or without a legitimate purpose.
Main Content
In the disciplinary context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, Upassuti, listening secretly, is considered a violation of the ethics of a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī. This act violates the principle of respecting persons and preserving the privacy of others, which is an essential part of the Dhamma.
When a bhikkhu intentionally listens to conversations that the speakers do not wish him to know, it is an act of uncontrolled mind arising from greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), or delusion (moha), the three root defilements of karma. This act breaks trust in the community and creates an environment in which members do not feel safe with their private words.
This rule also relates to sincerity and transparency. A practitioner of the Buddha-Dharma must develop an upright mind (ujjuka citta), not a crooked and evasive mind (avaṭṭha citta). Eavesdropping is an expression of a stunted, dishonest mind that wants to know what others do not wish to reveal.
Practical Meaning
From the perspective of Buddhist practice, the Upassuti Discourse reminds us of the importance of sati, mindfulness, and samādhi, concentration.
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