Bu Ay 22. Sitting alone with a woman
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyaaniyata
A female lay disciple may see a monk sitting in private with a woman. If she accuses him of an offense entailing suspension or confession, and he admits to the offense, then he incurs an offense accordingly.
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Commentary on Dutiyaaniyata — The Rule on Sitting Alone with a Woman
Background
Dutiyaaniyata is the second rule in the Aniyata (indefinite) section of the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha — the monastic code for female monastics in the Theravāda tradition. This Aniyata section belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, and was established on the basis of specific situations that the Buddha adjudicated in the historical development of the Saṅgha.
This text reflects the context of early monastic life, in which female lay devotees held the role of observers and witnesses to the conduct of monks. In that environment, purity and the avoidance of all forms that might arouse suspicion were key factors in maintaining the Saṅgha's credibility and the trust of the people.
Main Content
This rule stipulates: if a female lay devotee witnesses a monk sitting alone with a woman, she has the right to examine whether that constitutes a transgression of the rule. Specifically, if the female lay devotee charges the monk with an offense entailing suspension (pabbājaniya) or confession (pācittiya), and the monk acknowledges the offense, he must face the consequences corresponding to the offense he has acknowledged.
This is not a rule that directly prohibits a monk from sitting alone with a woman, but rather a procedure for handling the situation when such an event occurs and there is a witness to attest to it. The role of the female lay devotee here is that of a "witness" (sākṣī), ensuring the purity and transparency of the monastic community.
What is of paramount importance is the accused party's acknowledgment of wrongdoing. If the monk acknowledges the offense, the legal consequences will be applied in accordance with the gravity of the transgression. This system embodies the principle of "self-declaration" (atta-kāma-paññatti) in the Buddha's Vinaya — a core element of conscientious ethical practice.
Practical Significance
Dutiyaaniyata is not merely a dry legal rule, but an expression of the flexibility with which the monastic community is governed.
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