Ka Bu Pm Pc 80Entering a Village at the Wrong Time
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vikālagāmappavisana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Rule on Entering a Village at an Improper Time
Vikālagāmappavisana
Context
The Vikālagāmappavisana rule (Entering a Village at an Improper Time) belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka, specifically the Patimokkha, the basic code of the monastic community. This rule is among the prohibitions that bhikkhus must observe in order to maintain the purity of the Sangha.
According to the Theravada tradition, the Vinaya Pitaka was taught by the Buddha Sakyamuni to regulate communal life in practice. The purpose of the Vinaya is not punishment, but the protection of spiritual life and the avoidance of actions that could harm the faith of the community and the calmness of practice.
This rule arose in a historical context when bhikkhus lacked mindfulness about the time for entering large villages, causing negative effects on the image of the Sangha and creating occasions for lapses in purity.
Main Content
The rule provides that bhikkhus should not enter a village at improper times, especially at times not permitted according to the regulations of the Sangha. "Improper times" (vikala) usually refer to times such as early morning before receiving almsfood, or late at night when unwholesome actions may more easily occur.
This rule does not completely prohibit entering a village, but guides bhikkhus to enter a village at appropriate times, when the purpose is to receive almsfood, teach the Dharma, or visit the sick who need care. At the "proper time," bhikkhus are more easily respected by the people and avoid unnecessary misunderstanding or suspicion.
From the perspective of the Theravada Vinaya Pitaka, observing this rule is not only a matter of discipline but also an expression of respect for the lay community. A bhikkhu who practices mindfulness in all activities will naturally adjust his actions to accord with the social context.
Practical Meaning
The profound principle of this rule is mindfulness and respect.
🌏 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.