Lzh Dg Bu Pm Sk 83Not Spit Around Stupa
Pāli / Sanskrit:Not spit around stupa
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Explanation of the Discourse: Not Spitting Around a Stupa
Background
This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, where the rules of practice and discipline for monks and nuns are preserved. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a set of lofty philosophical statements, but practical guidance helping the monastic community live together harmoniously and develop spiritually. The discourse on not spitting around a stupa arose from specific situations in daily life at monasteries, where stupas are sacred and revered structures, places where the relics of the Buddha and noble beings are enshrined. These are detailed rules given by the Buddha to protect the dignity of sacred places, while also training attention, mindfulness, and respect in every small action.
Main Content
The discourse states that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs should not spit around the vicinity of a stupa. Although this rule appears simple, it carries profound meaning regarding spiritual education. A stupa is a symbol of awakening, a place preserving the sacred traces of noble beings who have realized the Dharma. When a monastic spits around a stupa, they not only defile the physical space but also reflect an attitude lacking reverence toward lofty spiritual values.
This rule also has a practical purpose: to protect the physical integrity of architectural structures and maintain environmental hygiene around them. However, in the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, it is understood as a means of practice (upāya). Each time a bhikkhu remembers not to spit, they are not merely obeying a rule, but also training the mind, gradually developing mindfulness, discipline (sīla), and reverence (bhakti) toward the Three Jewels.
Practical Meaning
This discourse teaches that practice does not lie in grand actions, but in attention to the smallest things. The discipline concerning spitting around a stupa is an opportunity for monastics to examine their motives, intentions, and mindfulness moment by moment.
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