Bu Ss 33. Indecent speech
Pāli / Sanskrit:Duṭṭhullavācā
A lustful monk who uses sexually explicit language when speaking to a woman is to be suspended.
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Duṭṭhullavācā (Indecent Speech)
Background
The Duṭṭhullavācā is found within the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunīvibhaṅga or in the rules pertaining to the conduct of monastics. It forms part of the system of Vinaya that preserves discipline within the Theravāda Buddhist Sangha.
The historical background of this text arises from a specific situation during the time of the Buddha, in which a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī made use of sexually indecent speech while conversing with a woman. This incident came to pass and led the Buddha to establish a rule in order to uphold the moral integrity and dignity of the Sangha. This rule was set forth to protect both the individual bhikkhu from spiritual deterioration and to protect women from harassment.
Main Content
The Duṭṭhullavācā stipulates that a bhikkhu who makes use of indecent speech (duṭṭhula-vācā)—in particular, speech of a sexually lewd nature directed toward a woman—is subject to the penalty of suspension from the Sangha until such time as that person has sincerely confessed and reformed their conduct.
The Pāli term "Duṭṭhullavācā" means "indecent, coarse, or improper speech." This does not refer to inadvertent or casually vulgar words, but rather to deliberate speech of a sexually lewd nature, or speech carrying impure intentions, when directed toward women.
This rule reflects a foundational principle of the Vinaya Piṭaka: the protection of the spiritual practice of those who have gone forth into the homeless life. A bhikkhu who has received the precepts—observing 227 rules of training in the case of a bhikkhu, or 311 in the case of a bhikkhunī—must maintain purity of action and speech, and must avoid any conduct that could lead to moral deterioration or cause discomfort to others.
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