The Buddha describes the cause and condition for why a woman neither sits in public assemblies, nor pursues occupations, nor journeys to Kamboja.

AN 4.80  Kamboja sutta - Kamboja

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosambiyaṁ viharati ghositārāme. Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Kosambi, in Ghosita’s park. Then the venerable Ānanda approached the Blessed One. Having drawn near, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the venerable Ānanda addressed the Blessed One:

“Ko nu kho, bhante, hetu ko paccayo, yena mātugāmo neva sabhāyaṁ nisīdati, na kammantaṁ payojeti, na kambojaṁ gacchatī”ti?

“Venerable sir, what is the cause, what is the condition, whereby a |woman::female, womankind [mātugama]| neither sits in an assembly, nor engages in work, nor journeys to |Kamboja::an ancient kingdom in the area that is now northeastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan [kamboja]|?”

“Kodhano, ānanda, mātugāmo; issukī, ānanda, mātugāmo; maccharī, ānanda, mātugāmo; duppañño, ānanda, mātugāmoayaṁ kho, ānanda, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena mātugāmo neva sabhāyaṁ nisīdati, na kammantaṁ payojeti, na kambojaṁ gacchatī”ti.

“A woman is |irritable::prone to anger [kodhana]|, Ānanda; a woman is |envious::jealous, covetous [issukī]|, Ānanda; a woman is |miserly::stingy, greedy [maccharī]|, Ānanda; a woman is |undiscerning::without wisdom; lit. bad understanding [duppañña]|, Ānanda. This, Ānanda, is the cause and condition for why a woman neither sits in public assemblies, nor engages in work, nor journeys to Kamboja.”

Qualities:

Irritability

Irritability

A prickly restlessness of mind easily stirred by small discomforts or disagreement. It weakens patience and readies the ground for anger and harsh reaction.

Also known as: crankiness, moodiness, being prone to annoyance, being prone to anger
Pāli: kodhana
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Jealousy

Jealousy

A painful mental state that arises when seeing the good fortune or qualities of others. It begrudges what others have and resents their happiness, closing the heart to appreciative joy.

Also known as: covetousness, envy, possessiveness, protective of, unwilling to part with
Pāli: issā
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Lack of discernment

Lack of discernment

Failure to understand cause and effect or to recognize wholesome from unwholesome. It clouds judgment and makes the mind easily led by craving and aversion.

Also known as: lack of clear comprehension, lack of wisdom, child-like in understanding
Pāli: asampajañña, bāla, duppañña
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Stinginess

Stinginess

A contracted, possessive refusal to share what one has—whether material goods, knowledge, or status. It clings tightly to what is “mine,” fearing loss and closing the hand against generosity.

Also known as: miserliness, meanness, tight-fistedness
Pāli: macchariya
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Last updated on June 7, 2026