Nocturnal emission
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A nocturnal emission, also called a wet dream, is an involuntary ejaculation of semen (sukka) during sleep.
The cause of these experiences is uncertain but popular wisdom puts them down to either erotic dreams or the build up of semen in the prostate.
According to the Bible, a nocturnal emission renders a man impure and this can only be remedied by ritual washing (Leviticus 15, 16-17).
According to the Vinaya, the Buddhist monastic rules, masturbation is an offence, but having a nocturnal emission is not.
The Buddha mentioned that nocturnal emissions occur as ‘a result of a dream’ (supinantena, Vin.I,294).
He also said that if a monk falls to sleep carefully and mindfully he is less likely to have one.
During the third Council some participants maintained that an enlightened male, an arahat, could have a nocturnal emission and that these experiences were caused by malevolent gods.
Both ideas were contradicted by the orthodox monks (Kv.163). See Sexual Behaviour.