Lzh Mg Bi Pm Sk 72Holding a Staff
Pāli / Sanskrit:Daṇḍapāṇi
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Discourse on Holding a Staff (Daṇḍapāṇi)
Background
The Daṇḍapāṇi discourse is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the collection of disciplinary rules and instructions for the conduct of monks and nuns in the Buddhist Sangha. This work establishes specific restrictions on holding implements, especially a staff (daṇḍa), and actions related to them. The context arises from the need to regulate the mindfulness and conduct of those who have gone forth, those who follow the Buddha’s Dharma and have renounced worldly life.
In the social context of ancient India, a staff was a symbol of authority, violence, and private possession. A true practitioner should not carry a staff unless there is a valid reason, such as protection from wild animals or support while walking. This discourse was set forth to prevent actions that might turn the Sangha into a military force or an agent of violence, thereby protecting the true nature of practice.
Main Content
The Daṇḍapāṇi discourse stipulates that bhikkhus should not regularly hold or carry a staff as a daily habit. Holding a staff may be understood as a sign of aggressive bearing, a desire for power, or a combative spirit, all of which contradict the pure nature of the monastic life.
However, in specific cases, the use of a staff is permitted. For example, a bhikkhu may carry a staff when walking on dangerous roads in order to protect himself from snakes or harmful animals. An elderly or weak monastic may use a staff as support to maintain health. Yet this use must be carried out with full alertness and must not become part of one’s personal identity or a symbol of power.
In this way, the Vinaya Piṭaka aims to protect the purity of the Sangha and prevent any action that might undermine the trust of the lay community in those who have gone forth.
🌏 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.