Overview
The word Gocara (Alms Resort) literally means “the pasture of an ox,” but refers metaphorically to the village territory a monk enters to gather his daily almsfood. In the Mahāvihāra commentarial tradition, a monk’s safety and concentration depend on choosing the right resort. The texts contrast proper, safe territories with specific forbidden locations (agocara) that present high spiritual dangers.
vidhavathullakumārikapaṇḍakabhikkhunīpānāgāragocareti
chabbidhe ca agocare carati. And who frequents the six kinds of unsuitable resorts. seyyathidaṃ – vesiyagocare vidhavāthullakumārikapaṇḍakabhikkhunipānāgāragocareti. Namely: frequenting prostitutes, widows, mature virgins, eunuchs, and bhikkhunīs, and taverns. saṃsaṭṭho ca viharati rājūhi rājamahāmattehi titthiyehi titthiyasāvakehi ananulomikena gihisaṃsaggena. And who dwells associated with kings, royal ministers, sectarians, and disciples of sectarians, in an improper lay association. yāni vā pana tāni kulāni asaddhāni appasannāni anopānabhūtāni akkosakaparibhāsakāni anatthakāmāni ahitaaphāsukaayogakkhemakāmāni bhikkhūnaṃ…pe… upāsikānaṃ, tathārūpāni kulāni sevati bhajati payirupāsati. Or, those families that are faithless, not inspired, abusive, reviling, desiring no benefit, desiring no welfare, no comfort, no security from bondage for bhikkhus… and for upāsikās, he associates with, frequents, and attends upon such families. ayaṃ anatthakusalo. This one is unskilled in good. suttanipāta-aṭṭhakathā p 179
The List
- Vesiyāgocara - Forbidden Resort of Prostitutes: Strictly avoiding brothels or the homes of courtesans, as entering such vicinities triggers lust and invites public scandal.
- Vidhavāgocara - Forbidden Resort of Widows: Avoiding frequent, private interactions at the homes of single widows, preventing romantic entanglements.
- Thullakumārikagocara - Forbidden Resort of Unmarried Women: Avoiding lingering at homes of mature single maidens to protect celibacy.
- Paṇḍakagocara - Forbidden Resort of Eunuchs: Avoiding close socialization with individuals of altered sexual types to maintain monastic dignity.
- Bhikkhunigocara - Forbidden Resort of Bhikkhunīs: Making the company of bhikkhunīs one’s resort.
- Pānāgāragocara - Forbidden Resort of Taverns: Avoiding bars, breweries, or taverns where intoxicated people congregate, ensuring the monk is safe from volatile behavior and blame.
puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, aññatitthiyapubbo vesiyāgocaro vā hoti, vidhavāgocaro vā hoti, thullakumārikāgocaro vā hoti, paṇḍakagocaro vā hoti, bhikkhunigocaro vā hoti. “Furthermore, bhikkhus, a former adherent of another sect frequents courtesans, or widows, or adult girls, or eunuchs, or bhikkhunīs. evampi, bhikkhave, aññatitthiyapubbo anārādhako hoti. Even so, bhikkhus, a former adherent of another sect is unsuccessful
Mahāvaggapāḷi p99
Quote
Tattha katamo agocaro? Idhekacco vesiyāgocaro vā hoti vidhavāgocaro vā thullakumārigocaro vā paṇḍakagocaro vā bhikkhunigocaro vā pānāgāragocaro vā, saṃsaṭṭho viharati rājūhi rājamahāmattehi titthiyehi titthiyasāvakehi ananulomikena saṃsaggena;
Among these, what is improper resort? Here, someone resorts to prostitutes, or to widows, or to grown-up maidens, or to eunuchs, or to bhikkhunis, or to taverns; he lives in unbecoming association with kings, royal chief ministers, heretics, or disciples of heretics;
Textual References
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter I) – Buddhaghosa details how guarding one’s gocara is a fundamental element of the “Purification of Virtue connected to Sense Restraint.”