Ka Bu Pm Sk 81Na aśvārūḍhāya

Exposition of the Na aśvārūḍhāya Sutta

Context

The Na aśvārūḍhāya Sutta (Pāli: Na assarūḷhāya) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Khandhaka section, which contains rules related to the administration of the communal life of monks and nuns. This sutta reflects the historical context when the Buddha was alive and living with his earliest disciples.

The content concerns Vinaya rules that the Buddha promulgated gradually, not all at once, but in response to specific situations arising in the community. This shows that the Vinaya Piṭaka is a living body of practice, built on the Buddha’s practicality and wisdom. The Na aśvārūḍhāya Sutta belongs to a collection of rules concerning improper actions, situations that bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs need to avoid in order to maintain spiritual purity and the teaching.

Main Content

Although the descriptive information indicates that this is a sutta from the Theravāda Pāli Canon tradition, the title "Na aśvārūḍhāya" (not mounted on a horse) suggests that the content concerns inappropriate actions that a practitioner should not perform. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, suttas are often named after specific situations or actions.

According to the structure of the Khandhaka, this sutta may relate to rules concerning appropriate conduct for those gone forth. Specifically, Vinaya regulations do not only prohibit actions that are clearly unwholesome, such as killing or stealing, but also prohibit actions that may cause the public to lose faith or stain the image of the Sangha. Avoiding activities unsuitable to the conditions, status, or particular circumstances is an indispensable part of the monastic path.

In historical context, these rules were promulgated when those gone forth interacted with lay society. Not taking part in activities such as riding horses irresponsibly, or using horses for purposes unrelated to practice, is one way for renunciants to maintain separation from sensual desires.