Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 78Disposing Feces

Commentary on the Tirokuṭṭuccārachaḍḍana Sutta

(Sutta on the Disposal of Bodily Waste)

Background

The Tirokuṭṭuccārachaḍḍana Sutta is found within the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha section of the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha. It is one of the most detailed paritta (rule texts) concerning the discipline of monastic life for bhikkhus, particularly with regard to personal hygiene and the sanitation of the shared living environment.

This content arises within the historical context of the time when the Buddha Śākyamuni was still present in the world. In that era, bhikkhus lived communally in monasteries or dwelling places, where rules of hygiene were essential for maintaining the health and harmony of the community. When incidents of hygiene violations or improper conduct arose that defiled shared spaces, the Buddha established specific regulations.

Tirokuṭṭuccārachaḍḍana is a Pāli term referring to the handling and disposal of bodily waste (in particular, feces). "Tiro" means "outside," "kuṭṭu" relates to "the body," "cāra" means "action," and "chaḍḍana" means "to discard, to cast away." This reflects the Dharma's commitment to safeguarding the purity of the monastic community.

Main Content

This sutta sets forth standards for the personal hygiene conduct of bhikkhus, particularly with respect to the disposal of bodily waste. According to the Pātimokkha, a bhikkhu is not to dispose of feces or other bodily waste into clean water without proper reason, nor in unsuitable places where it may cause contamination.

This rule is established in the form of a Pācittiya (pronounced "Pā-cit-ti-ya"), that is, a prohibition requiring bhikkhus to seek confession before another. If a bhikkhu violates this rule—for example, by disposing of feces into a clean water source used by many people—he commits a Pācittiya and must perform the appropriate act of confession.