Ka Bu Pm Sk 96Climbing Tree Higher Than a Person
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na sādhikapauruṣa
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Exposition of the Sutta: Not Climbing a Tree Higher Than a Person’s Height
Context
This sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Theravāda sacred collection containing the rules of life for the Sangha, the community of monks and nuns following the Buddha-Dharma. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a set of absolute commands, but a body of teachings arising from specific situations, through which the Buddha guided his disciples in correcting behavior so that practice would be safe and harmonious.
The context of the sutta "Na sādhikapauruṣa" (Not Climbing a Tree Higher Than a Person’s Height) concerns regulations on cautious conduct in the life of practice. It is part of the specific admonitions for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs to avoid actions that may endanger themselves or produce unwholesomeness in the mind. Such regulations are intended to build a disciplined, clear, and safe Sangha.
Main Content
This sutta states that bhikkhus should not climb trees higher than a person’s height (sādhikapauruṣa). A "person’s height" (pauruṣa) is a traditional unit of measurement, equivalent to the height of an adult, about 1.8 to 2 meters.
This regulation is not an absolute prohibition but a practical instruction. When a monastic climbs a tall tree, there are many risks: falling and causing injury, entering frightening situations, or having the mind drawn into unwholesome emotions. Moreover, unnecessary tree climbing may be seen by outsiders as irrational or undisciplined behavior.
The Vinaya Piṭaka teaches that a monastic should maintain mindfulness in every action (sati), including actions such as climbing. Instead of acting impulsively or heedlessly, a monastic should consider: Is this action necessary? Does it consume precious energy? Does it create danger? These questions reflect the principle of economy in Buddhist practice.
Practical Meaning
This rule does not restrict freedom but is intended to protect body and mind.
🌏 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.