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Q-17: Q-12: Bhante, I took a photograph together with a monk. In the photo I was with a monk, I mean. My friend blamed me when I showed her that photo. She remarked I should not do that. My behaviour disgraced the monk, she said. But I always pay respect to monks and nuns. Even in the photo I showed my respect to the monk. Now I want to know if there are Vinaya rules prohibiting monks from taking photograph together with woman.

Respectfully,

Neti Arbie

A-17: There is no such rule. The Buddha did not lay down such rule because during His time there was no case of monks taking photograph together with women. He usually laid down Vinaya rules only after encountering a corresponding case. Moreover during the Buddha's time, photography is probably not invented yet.

However, I  do remember that  there are related vinaya rules that we can consider to address this. According  to the two Aniyata rules (Parajika Pali, Paragahs 443-457), monks should not stay in a private place together with a woman. If they stay in a private place, the monk would have committed offences amounting to transgressing some Vinaya rules. So it should be ok if you take photos with monks publicly. And common sense dictates that you should observe proper decorum.

According to Bharadvaja-sutta of Salayatana-samyutta, the monks were instructed by the Buddha to view and treat women folks as if they are their kins. Hence, towards women who are old enough to be their mother, they should treat them as their mother. Towards those of an age to be their sisters,  they should adhere to the idea that they are their sisters  and  towards those who are young enough to be their daughter,  they are akin to their daughters.

From this , it  can be concluded that  the relationship of monks and female devotees should be that of mother and son, brother and sister and father and daughter; and thus monks can take photographs together with  the female devotees, just as mother and son, brother and sister and father and daughter do.

With Metta,

Ashin Acara

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Dhamma Questions are answered by Bhante U Cittara, resident monk of Mangala Vihara, and his assistant monks. Questions and comments on given answers are welcome. Send your questions and comments to resident_monk@mangalavihara.org.sg.