Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Sk 68Not Take Corpse by Stupa
Pāli / Sanskrit:Not take corpse by stupa
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Interpretation of the Sutta: “Not Taking a Corpse by a Stupa”
Background
This text is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the section regulating the disciplinary rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs need to observe. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not only prohibitions, but also guidance that helps the Sangha community function harmoniously, respect the Three Jewels, and protect the dignity of the Buddha-Dharma.
This text arose from a concrete situation in the life of practice, a matter concerning the handling of corpses near stupas, Buddhist towers that serve as places of worship for the relics of the Buddha and arahants. This background reflects the Buddha’s deep concern for respect toward sacred places, as well as practical issues arising from communal life and the need to handle matters connected with death.
Main Content
This rule stipulates that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs are not permitted to take or move a human corpse beside a stupa, the sacred towers where relics of the Buddha or holy ones are kept. This rule arises from the need to protect the dignity and purity of sacred places.
Specifically, the text teaches that a corpse is a matter belonging to the worldly sphere and should be handled by appropriate people, the family or responsible authorities, rather than by the community of practitioners. If a corpse is left near a stupa, this will cause uncleanness and defilement of the sacred place. Therefore, practitioners should not take part in this work, in order to avoid diminishing the purity of the sacred space.
This rule is not an unreasonable prohibition, but an expression of deep understanding of the nature of practice: a pure mind needs to be nurtured in a pure environment. When a stupa is defiled, not only does that place lose its spiritual attraction, but obstacles to meditative concentration may also arise.
Practical Meaning
Although this text was given for the specific context of the monastic community, it contains profound lessons for anyone who practices.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.