Lzh Mg Bu Pm Pc 83Needle Cases
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sūcighara
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Sūcighara Sutta (Needle Cases)
Background
The Sūcighara Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Pātimokkha (the fundamental code of discipline) of the Theravāda tradition. This text is recorded as a monastic regulation concerning the personal possessions of bhikkhunīs (nuns), particularly the everyday utensils of monastic life.
The historical context of this text belongs to the early period of the Buddhist Saṅgha, during the lifetime of the Blessed One. At that time, nuns were permitted to keep the most basic articles necessary for the monastic life. Rather than specifying each item individually, the Dharma established principles governing the use and care of personal property, among which were needle cases (sūcighara) used to store sewing implements—work that formed part of the daily routine of the nuns.
This text reflects the Dharma's concern for the details of everyday life, demonstrating that the Buddha's teaching speaks not only of abstract meditation but also provides concrete guidance for living rightly and authentically within the monastic community.
Main Content
The sūcighara (needle case) is regarded as a category of personal property that bhikkhunīs are permitted to possess within the monastery. The text stipulates that such cases are to be used in a reasonable manner and must not exceed the limits established by the Saṅgha.
The fundamental regulation is as follows: bhikkhunīs are permitted to have only a certain number of needle cases, proportionate to the actual needs of the monastic life. Should that number be exceeded, this constitutes a violation of pramatta (negligence in the management of property). Such cases are ordinarily to be fashioned from simple materials such as wood, bamboo, or other readily available substances, and are not to be adorned in an overly elaborate or luxurious manner.
The purpose of this regulation is clear: to train the nuns in apariggaha (non-coveting, non-excessive possession). By limiting both the quantity and quality of personal property, the Dharma guides its female disciples to gradually disengage from the entanglement of material things, thereby enabling them to focus upon spiritual cultivation.
The text further encompasses principles of sharing and collective stewardship within the community.
🌏 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.