Bi Pj 55. The training rule on physical contact with a man

Pli-tv-bi-pm-pj5: The Training Rule on Physical Contact with a Man

Background

Bi Pj 5 (Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha 5), known in Pāli as Ubbhajāṇumaṇḍalikā, belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. It is one of the training rules (sikkhapadā) laid down for bhikkhunīs, intended to protect purity and diligence in practice.

In its historical context, these rules were established by the Buddha when specific situations arose within the early monastic community. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of rigid prohibitions; it is a body of wise guidance designed to help female practitioners maintain a pure mind and avoid potential dangers. This rule is classified among the Pārājika offenses—that is, actions that result in expulsion from the Saṅgha if transgressed.

Main Content

This rule concerns physical contact between a bhikkhunī and a man. Specifically, if a bhikkhunī, out of desire or for the purpose of sensual pleasure, consents to a man who shares the same sensual intention touching her body anywhere in the region between the collarbone (ubbhajāṇu) and the knee (maṇḍalika), that bhikkhunī is considered to have committed a Pārājika offense.

The crucial point of this rule lies in two elements: first, both parties must have a sensual intention; second, the contact must occur in the area of the body from below the collarbone to above the knee. The rule does not condemn the body itself or inadvertent contact, but rather aims to prevent those who have gone forth from falling into sensual indulgence.

This careful delineation reflects the practical character of the Vinaya Piṭaka. The Buddha understood that female practitioners living within society would have ordinary interactions with men, yet it was necessary to maintain clear boundaries in order to protect their vows and the cultivation of their minds.