Bi Pc 156156. Eavesdropping
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upassuti
A nun who eavesdrops on other nuns who are disputing about the Teaching or the monastic law must confess the offense.
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Upassuti Sutta (Eavesdropping) — Bhikkhunī Pc 156
Background
This rule appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon — the collection of disciplinary regulations for the monastic community of Theravāda Buddhism. Specifically, it is found in the Pātimokkha for Bhikkhunīs (nuns), within the Pācittiya section (Pācittiya, offenses requiring confession).
During the time when the Buddha was still alive, in communities of ordained female practitioners, disputes would frequently arise among bhikkhunīs concerning matters of the Dhamma or regulations of the Vinaya. These were important discussions aimed at gaining clearer understanding of the Teaching and at maintaining discipline within the community. However, there were also instances in which other bhikkhunīs sought to eavesdrop on such disputes without permission, whether for the purpose of learning more or out of curiosity. Such conduct was regarded as disrespectful and as potentially causing division within the community.
Main Content
The Upassuti rule stipulates that: if a bhikkhunī, with the intention of eavesdropping (Pāli: upassoti) while other bhikkhunīs are engaged in a dispute (viggaha-jāta) concerning the Dhamma or the Vinaya, actually hears what is said, she has committed a Pācittiya offense — an offense less grave than the heavier classes of violations, yet one that still requires a confessional acknowledgment.
An important aspect of this rule is the distinction between "intention" (cetanā) and "actual action." According to Theravāda Buddhist teaching, all mental states and actions originate from intention. Therefore, deliberately eavesdropping — with the aim of finding out what others are saying — constitutes a violation of the general attitude of respect and discipline proper to the monastic community.
The crucial point here is not the mere hearing of words (for one may hear them by chance), but rather the deliberate act of placing oneself in a position to listen, with the subtle intention of wishing to know what is being discussed.
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