Lzh Mg Bi Pm Pc 63Needle Cases
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sūcighara
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Discourse on Needle Cases (Sūcighara)
Background
The Sūcighara belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically within the Pāti-Moggallāna (the section concerning the rules of offense for bhikkhunīs). The Vinaya Piṭaka comprises the scriptures that regulate the way of life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs—those who have gone forth to follow the Buddha. These rules were established by the Blessed One in response to specific situations that arose within his community of disciples.
This scripture concerns a matter that may appear trivial yet carries profound significance with respect to care, the protection of communal property, and humility in monastic life. Needle cases (sūcighara) are necessary implements in the practice life of bhikkhunīs, used for mending robes and other garments. The regulations pertaining to these cases reflect the Theravāda attitude toward communal property and the proper use of monastic requisites.
Principal Contents
The specific content of this scripture within the Vinaya Piṭaka concerns regulations governing the management, use, and safeguarding of needle cases within the fourfold assembly (bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, and laypeople). According to the historical development of the Theravāda Vinaya, these rules were established to prevent such conduct as: the appropriation of communal property, use exceeding one's personal need, or actions giving rise to division within the monastic community.
The scripture sets forth clearly which circumstances permit individual ownership of needle cases, which circumstances require their shared use, and the penalties—ranging from admonishment to the confession offense (Prātideśanīya)—for violations. These regulations are not merely disciplinary in character; they are also an expression of the principle of "not taking what is not given" (adinnadāna), one of the fundamental precepts of the Buddha's teaching.
The scripture emphasizes that bhikkhunīs are to manage properly the requisites supplied by the lay community, avoiding waste or monopolization.
🌏 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.