Lzh Dg Bu Pm Sk 85Not Live Upstairs of a Stupa

Explanation of the Discourse on Not Living on a Floor Above a Stupa

Background

This rule appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, especially in the Pacittiya section, rules concerning violations of conduct that a practitioner must confess and repent. These are detailed instructions from the Buddha on how bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs are to live within the Sangha, the community of practice.

This context was established as the Sangha developed and the management of daily living matters became necessary. Elder monks recognized that some actions, although not directly moral issues, could lead to wrongdoing or create disturbance. The rule that one should not dwell on a floor above a stupa is a typical example of carefulness in every detail.

Main Content

A stupa in the Buddhist tradition is a sacred symbol, often containing ashes or relics of noble practitioners or of the Buddha. It is not only an architectural structure, but also a spiritual object of communal reverence.

This rule restricts bhikkhus from sleeping, dwelling, or staying for a long time on an upper floor of such stupas. The main reasons include: first, the stupa is a sacred place, not a regular dwelling. Second, living on the stupa may damage the structure and harm its physical integrity. Third, and most important, it reflects the Buddhist principle that sacred places need to be protected with special respect.

When a bhikkhu violates this rule, he must confess his fault before the Sangha or before a qualified monk. This is not a grave offense (pārājika), but a lighter violation, though it still requires firmness in practice and respect.

Practical Meaning

This rule teaches us a profound lesson about respect and standards of conduct.