BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

The Naked Ascetic Chapter Chapter 8.5nissita-kilesa), then in light of its interpretation, the factor of intention under thisrule would be fulfilled by such things as wanting to joke with the woman, to stareinto her eyes, or to enjoy hearing her voice as she talks or laughs.The Vinaya-mukha provides a third interpretation, defining "not aiming at privacy"with the following illustration: A bhikkhu is sitting in a secluded place with a manand woman present, but the man gets up and leaves before the bhikkhu can stophim. In other words, the bhikkhu is not intending to sit alone in private with thewoman at all, but circumstances beyond his control force him to.Although the first interpretation, because it adheres most closely to the wording inthe Vibhaṅga, is probably the correct one here, the Vinaya-mukha's is probably thesafest, and many Communities adhere to it with good reason. Both the Canon andthe Commentary give frequent warnings about the dangers that can arise when abhikkhu sits alone with a woman even when his original intention is innocent. Hisown defilements may eventually tempt him to do, say, or think things that aredetrimental to his resolve in the celibate life; and even when his motives are pure,he is inviting the suspicions of others. Ay 1 requires that if a trustworthy outsidewitness is suspicious of a bhikkhu's sitting alone with a woman — and unless he issitting with his mother or other elderly relative, it's rare that outsiders won't besuspicious — the Community must meet to investigate the issue. Even though theymay find him innocent of any wrong doing, the fact that they have had to investigatehis behavior is usually enough to keep suspicions alive among the laity and tocreate resentment among his fellow bhikkhus over the waste of their time due to hisindiscretion. At the same time, a bhikkhu sitting alone with a woman is leavinghimself at the mercy of the woman, who will later be free to make any claims shelikes about what went on while they were alone together. As Lady Visākhā said inthe origin story to Ay 1, "It is unfitting and improper, venerable sir, for the master tosit in private, alone with a woman... Even though the master may not be aiming atthat act, cynical people are hard to convince."Thus the wise policy would be to be no less strict than one's Community ininterpreting this factor.Non-offenses. In addition to the bhikkhu not aiming at privacy, there is no offensefor the bhikkhu who sits alone with a woman when his attention is elsewhere — e.g.,he is absorbed in his work or his meditation when a woman comes in and sits downin the room where he is sitting. Also, there is no offense if either the bhikkhu or thewoman or both are standing, or if both are sitting when a knowledgeable man ispresent.Summary: When aiming at privacy, sitting or lying down with a woman or women ina private, secluded place with no other man present is a pācittiya offense.345