Lzh Dg Bi Pm Sk 74Not Urinate on Stupa

The Sutra on Not Urinating on a Stupa

Context

This regulation appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhadharma tradition, recorded in the sections of discipline governing the conduct of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection of rules that constitute the Pātimokkha - the complete code that every renunciant must follow in order to preserve solitary purity and harmony in the community.

In the historical context, stupas were sacred architectural structures used to honor the Buddha, bodhisattvas, or holy objects. They were not merely religious structures, but symbols of reverence, places where monks, nuns, and laypeople practiced, offered incense, and praised merit. Therefore, respectful conduct toward a stupa was regarded as an expression of the mind of the path and basic virtue.

This regulation was issued not for purely hygienic reasons, but to cultivate spiritual reverence for sacred places, while also training bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in remembrance of the Buddha and the ancestors.

Main Content

This sutra stipulates that bhikkhus must not urinate or defecate on a stupa or near such religious structures. This action is considered an offense against the rule, disrespectful and base, and it must be restrained by clear awareness.

This regulation reminds us that the body of a renunciant must be controlled, not only in formal actions but also in simple daily matters. Every step and every action should be accompanied by mindfulness (sati) and understanding (pañña). Not urinating on a stupa is a way of practicing observance of the discipline - one of the three pillars of Buddhist practice (sīla, samādhi, paññā).

Through this regulation, the Buddha wished to emphasize that reverence (apaciti) toward the Three Jewels and holy places is the expression of a noble mind. It is not only related to external behavior but also reflects the quality of the practitioner's mind.