Lzh Dg Bu Pm Pc 27Travelling by Arrangement
Pāli / Sanskrit:Saṁvidhāna
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The Saṁvidhāna Sutta: Proper Conditions for a Journey
Background
The Saṁvidhāna Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, in the Pātimokkha section of the Bhikkhu tradition. This discourse was recorded to regulate practical issues that arise when bhikkhus must travel or journey in the course of practice and teaching the Dharma.
The historical background of this discourse is tied to the practical needs of the early Sangha. Bhikkhus often had to travel from one place to another to teach, study the Dharma, or attend assemblies of the Sangha. To ensure order and discipline, and to protect the honor of the fourfold community of living beings (bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, upāsakas, upāsikās), the Buddha established regulations concerning proper ways of moving about or setting out on a journey.
Main Content
The Saṁvidhāna Sutta, provisionally translated as “Proper Conditions of Agreement,” states that when bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs wish to travel together to a place, they must observe certain conditions. The main criterion of this discourse is the requirement for “agreement” (saṁvidhāna) among the members, meaning that everyone traveling together must know, be unified about, and consent to the travel plan.
This discourse also mentions restrictions concerning time, place, and the number of participants. These regulations are intended to avoid complicated situations, such as some people leaving the group without notification, or traveling spontaneously without careful preparation, leading to harm or unnecessary incidents.
Through this discourse, the Buddha also emphasizes the importance of harmony (samavāya) in the Sangha. Not everything can be decided arbitrarily; matters related to collective action must be discussed, agreed upon, and carried out with clarity among all members.
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