Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 75Attending a Monk
Pāli / Sanskrit:Upatiṭṭhana
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Discourse on Attending a Monk (Upatiṭṭhana)
Background
The Upatiṭṭhana discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism, specifically the Sutta Vibhaṅga, the analysis of the rules. It is one of the Pātimokkha rules that bhikkhus must observe. The content of this discourse is directly related to ethical conduct and social responsibility within the monastic community.
This background reflects specific situations that occurred in the Sangha after the Buddha Gotama’s nirvana. When bhikkhus acted improperly or failed to observe the rules, intervention from senior and experienced elders was needed to guide and educate them. The Upatiṭṭhana discourse provides guidance on how to serve, care for, and educate young bhikkhus or those who violate the Sangha’s discipline.
Main Content
The term “Upatiṭṭhana” means serving, attending, caring for, or educating. This discourse addresses the responsibilities of senior bhikkhus or teachers in caring for other bhikkhus, especially in the following cases:
First, when a newly training bhikkhu or a bhikkhu who has acted wrongly needs correction. Senior bhikkhus deeply versed in the Sangha’s discipline should actively approach and educate him with compassion and patience.
Second, concerning the manner of service: a bhikkhu should prepare favorable conditions for others to practice, such as providing suitable lodging, guiding Dharma methods, explaining disciplinary rules, or offering reminders when there are faults without wounding self-respect.
Third, concerning the spirit of service: bhikkhus should not regard caring for others as a burden, but should understand it as an expression of loving-kindness (mettā) and responsibility toward the Sangha community. The discourse emphasizes that serving another bhikkhu is serving the Buddha’s Dharma.
Practical Meaning
The Upatiṭṭhana discourse teaches that practice is not an isolated individual matter.
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