Bi Ss 77. Matchmaking
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sañcaritta
A nun who acts as a go-between for a relationship between a man and a woman is to be suspended.
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SCRIPTURAL EXPOSITION: SAÑCARITTA (THE GO-BETWEEN)
Background
Rule 7 concerning sañcaritta (conveying messages, acting as an intermediary) is recorded in the Bhikkhunī Sammati Sutta, the section of the Vinaya devoted to nuns (bhikkhunīs). This context arose from the necessity of protecting the virtue (sīla) of the community of nuns, particularly in the early period of Buddhism when the social roles of women needed to be clearly defined. According to the Pāli tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka was established to maintain discipline within the Saṅgha, thereby creating favorable conditions for the development of spiritual practice.
This case originated with a nun who had intervened in romantic relationships between men and women. Such an action violates the principle of renunciation (nekkhamma)—that is, the relinquishing of worldly attachments. The involvement of one who has gone forth into homelessness in the domestic affairs of lay life gives rise to misunderstanding regarding the purpose of the religious life and diminishes the faith of the lay community.
Principal Content
According to the rule set forth in the Vinaya, a nun who acts as a sañcaritta—a "messenger" or "intermediary" in bringing a man and a woman together—is subject to the penalty of thangapasannikarohana (temporary suspension from participation in the community). This penalty means that the nun is temporarily suspended from communal activities within the Saṅgha and must remain apart until the matter is resolved. This is not a permanent expulsion, but a corrective measure intended to help the individual recognize her transgression.
This rule encompasses every form of "go-between" (sañcaritta): this may include conveying messages, attempting to persuade one party, arranging a meeting, or any action undertaken with the intention of establishing a romantic connection between a monk (or a male lay person) and a woman. Such an action is regarded as especially irresponsible if the nun acts out of a desire for personal benefit, such as receiving gifts or material gain.
Practical Significance
This rule teaches us a profound lesson about the integrity of monastic conduct.
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