Lzh Mg Bi Pm Sk 16Well-Covered
Pāli / Sanskrit:Suppaṭicchanna
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Suppaṭicchanna Sutta (Well-Covered Things)
Background
The Suppaṭicchanna Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Pācittiya section of the Pātimokkha—the list of offenses requiring confession and expiation from bhikkhus. This sutta is directly concerned with the rule governing the management of personal requisites and the maintenance of cleanliness within the monastic community.
In the context of Theravāda Buddhism, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of restrictive regulations, but the foundation upon which a harmonious, disciplined Saṅgha capable of focused practice is built. Each rule arose from a specific incident: when disciples of the Buddha committed an offense, the Buddha, in his compassion, would instruct them and establish an appropriate rule. The Suppaṭicchanna Sutta reflects early Buddhism's attention to the details of daily life—for mindfulness (sati) and clear comprehension (sampajañña) must suffuse every action.
Main Content
The name "Suppaṭicchanna" means "well-covered" or "well-protected." This rule stipulates that a bhikkhu's personal requisites—such as robes, bowl, outer robe, and other articles—must be properly stored, covered, and arranged. If a bhikkhu leaves his requisites uncovered or improperly arranged, resulting in their loss or damage, he commits a Pācittiya offense.
The heart of this rule lies in initiative and responsibility. Bhikkhus are not to be negligent persons who leave their requisites unattended and unmanaged. Rather, they must actively protect what has been provided for them—not out of greed or fear of loss, but because such care is a reflection of mindfulness.
The rule also encompasses a social dimension: when requisites are well maintained, they do not become a focal point of conflict or envy within the Saṅgha. It is a practical expression of the principle of right effort (viriya)—diligent striving—as applied to the management of one's daily life.
🌏 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.