Lzh Mg Bi Pm Sk 4Na kalāpakaṁ
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na kalāpakaṁ
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Commentary on the Sutta Na Kalāpakaṁ
Background
The Sutta Na Kalāpakaṁ belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka within the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, which constitutes the body of disciplinary regulations governing the contemplative life of monks and nuns. This text falls within the provisions concerning the communal administration of Saṅgha property and the handling of matters related to the distribution of goods within the monastic community.
The circumstances that gave rise to this text emerged from specific situations encountered in the life of the Saṅgha during the time of the Buddha. As the Saṅgha grew and expanded, questions concerning the management of communal property became increasingly complex. The Buddha, in his wisdom and compassion, set forth clear rules to ensure fairness, transparency, and harmony within the community of the faithful.
The Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as the very heart of the Holy Life, for it instructs monastics in discipline, ethical conduct, and the manner of life befitting the order of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. These rules are not arbitrary impositions, but rather wise guidelines intended to safeguard purity of mind and to prevent discord within the community.
Principal Content
The Sutta Na Kalāpakaṁ focuses on regulations concerning the handling and distribution of minor articles or small items of property (kalāpa) within the Saṅgha. The word "kalāpa" signifies a small collection, things gathered together.
This text stipulates that the personal belongings of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, or small items of property, are not to be publicly distributed or divided equally among all without prior deliberation. Rather, specific principles must be observed: those concerned must reach agreement, or authorization must be obtained from those responsible for administering the Saṅgha, or such articles must be dealt with in a manner that causes no harm or inequity.
Of particular importance is the fact that this text emphasizes the principle of "not acting arbitrarily" (na kalāpakaṁ — not restricting or arbitrarily dividing). It calls for transparency, openness, and collective consent, so as to prevent disputes, jealousy, or dissatisfaction from arising within the Saṅgha.
🌏 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.