Ka Bu Pm Sk 35Na sarvakāyaṁ samavadhāyā niṣatsyāma

Explanation of the Na sarvakāyaṁ Samavadhāyā Niṣatsyāma Sutta

Background

The Na sarvakāyaṁ samavadhāyā niṣatsyāma Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Khandhaka section, the collective regulations of the Sangha. This discourse reflects a specific situation in the governance of the monastic community, when bhikkhus needed to agree on conduct in meetings or collective decisions (Saṅgha). The context arose because some bhikkhus did not attend fully or did not follow the common regulation, leading to disunity. The Buddha therefore issued a rule to ensure that all members of the Sangha bore responsibility for participating and maintaining unity in action and decision.

The Vinaya Piṭaka is the earliest collection among the three baskets (the Tripiṭaka), edited on the basis of the Buddha’s direct teachings and his guidance on governing the Sangha. It is not only a set of disciplinary rules but also lessons in ethics, focusing on the fundamental principles of self-awareness, self-control, and harmony in the community of practice.

Main Content

The title of this discourse means “We shall not sit with the whole body evenly protected,” or, understood another way, “We shall not allow the whole body to be covered in an unbalanced way.” This discourse addresses a question of balance and fairness in the governance of the Sangha. When bhikkhus gather to make decisions or perform formal acts of the Sangha (Saṅgha Karma), all those concerned must be taken into account; no one may be excluded or passed over unfairly.

Through this rule, the Buddha emphasizes that collective decision-making must observe full presence (Upasampanna) or clear consent. It is not possible to leave some members of the Sangha behind or isolate them unfairly. Each member has equal rights in participating in decisions that affect the community.