Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 96Going Wandering

Explanation of the Cārikanapakkamana Sutta (Bhikkhu Pātimokkha 96)

Background

The Cārikanapakkamana Sutta (Going Wandering) belongs to the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the most basic set of training rules of the pure discipline in the Theravāda tradition. The Pātimokkha consists of 227 prohibitions taught by Śākyamuni Buddha to the bhikkhus in order to help them practice purity and protect the monastic community.

This Rule 96 belongs to the Pācittiya section, offenses lighter than Saṃghādisesa but still requiring confession and clearing of the offense by acknowledging it before another bhikkhu. The title “Going Wandering” (cārikana-pakkamana) refers to prohibitions related to bhikkhus wandering or traveling from place to place without following the appropriate regulations.

Main Content

According to the spirit of the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the prohibitions concerning wandering are laid down to maintain discipline and protect the reputation of the Sangha. Specifically, a bhikkhu must not be negligent in managing his belongings while traveling, nor display an attitude of delight in worldly pleasures while wandering in society.

This sutta reflects a profound principle: a bhikkhu in the Sangha is not separate from the community and his responsibilities. Whether wandering, traveling to teach the Dharma, or carrying out other sacred tasks, the bhikkhu must maintain focus on the Dharma and should not relax his mindfulness or let himself fall into actions unworthy of one who has gone forth.

This prohibition is also related to bhikkhus not deliberately roaming or drifting about without a clear purpose. Travel must have a proper reason: study, teaching the Dharma, seeking medicine for illness, or tasks belonging to the Sangha.

Practical Meaning

The Cārikanapakkamana Sutta teaches us that practicing the Buddha-Dharma is not practice in a quiet cell while forgetting how to act in society.