Xct Mu Bu Pm Pc 65Lying Down With a Woman
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mātugāmasahaseyya
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The Sutta on Lying Down With a Woman (Mātugāmasahaseyya)
Background
The Mātugāmasahaseyya Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically within the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the collection of basic disciplinary rules that bhikkhus must observe. This sutta records one of the Buddha’s teachings given when he corrected the mistaken conduct of male disciples.
According to the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of dry rules, but an expression of the Buddha’s compassion and wisdom. Each rule was established with a deep cause, intended to protect the purity of moral conduct and preserve the honor of the Sangha.
Main Content
This sutta addresses inappropriate conduct by bhikkhus toward women. Specifically, it forbids bhikkhus from sleeping together with women without the supervision of the Sangha or when there are no special conditions permitting it.
The principle set forth reflects the Buddha’s deep understanding of human psychology. Private and unobserved situations are precisely the places where sensual desire (lobha), aversion (dosa), and delusion (moha), the three root poisons of suffering, may easily arise. By prohibiting these situations, the Buddha was not firmly opposing women, but protecting the purity of mind and concentration in practice of the bhikkhus.
The sutta also reflects the principle of protecting the reputation of the Sangha in the eyes of the world. Even if an action does not produce an adverse result, if it gives rise to suspicion or uncertainty (vicikicchā) in the faith of lay followers, it is harmful to the development of the teaching. Therefore, avoiding situations that may cause misunderstanding is also an important part of the Vinaya.
Practical Meaning
For bhikkhus practicing today, Mātugāmasahaseyya teaches that disciplined conduct is not an absolute prohibition, but a way of protecting the mind.
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