Lzh Dg Bi Vb Sk 19Well-Covered (2nd)

Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna Sutta (Second Covering)

Background

The Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga (the Discipline for Nuns), an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka. This sutta discusses regulations concerning the conduct and diligence of bhikkhunīs in the early Buddhist Sangha.

The historical background of the Vinaya Piṭaka is a series of regulations gradually laid down by the Buddha Śākyamuni to regulate the actions, speech, and intentions of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, in order to maintain purity and harmony in the Sangha. The Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna Sutta specifically concerns cases of “covering” (suppaṭicchanna) in intention or action, that is, circumstances in which nuns deliberately conceal the truth or their actions.

Main Content

Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna (Second Covering) deals with specific situations related to Vinaya offenses in the context of keeping secrets or concealing the truth. According to the Theravāda tradition, this sutta often discusses cases in which bhikkhunīs might intentionally cover up actions not in accordance with the Vinaya or show insincerity in reporting offenses.

The specific content of this sutta is related to the principle “sujjhati parisuddho” (clean, purified), a requirement of transparency and truthfulness in confessing faults within the Sangha. The sutta emphasizes that bhikkhunīs must maintain a straightforward and honest attitude toward the Buddha’s teachers, and must not conceal or become fearful concerning their offenses.

Specifically, Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna concerns rules about gains, provisions, and the receiving of requisites necessary for practice, as well as the attitude of bhikkhunīs when receiving these items. If a bhikkhunī covers up or deceives others about things she has received, or deliberately fails to report truthfully, this will lead to unwholesome spiritual consequences.