Lzh Mg Bu Pm Sk 64On Plants
Pāli / Sanskrit:Hariteuccāra
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Hariteuccāra Sutta — On Conduct Toward Plants
Context
The Hariteuccāra (Harita-uccāra) is an important section within the traditional Theravāda Vinaya, specifically belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka. This text reflects the concern of the Buddha and the early Sangha for the principles of compassionate living and non-harm — a core tenet of the Buddhist path.
The text arose in the context of the Buddha and his disciples practicing in forests, rural areas, and various localities. In the course of daily life, incidents occurred involving conduct toward trees, leaves, flowers, fruits, and other parts of plants. These incidents gave rise to specific regulations intended to protect the life of plants and to guide monastics in acting with responsibility and compassion.
This text is not merely a collection of restrictive rules; it is also an expression of profound love for all forms of life, in harmony with the spirit of Ahiṃsā (non-violence) within Theravāda Buddhism.
Principal Content
The Hariteuccāra prescribes the proper conduct to be observed when coming into contact with plants. The text emphasizes that monastics should not heedlessly cut, strip, damage, or destroy plants of any kind. Rather, every action involving plants requires careful deliberation.
Specifically, the text regulates cases that may be considered acceptable — such as cutting grass or leaves when there is a practical necessity, for example, preparing bedding, laying ground cover, or preparing food for the Sangha. However, the purpose must be one of genuine need, and not one of wastefulness or curiosity.
The text also addresses distinctions between different kinds of plants, those plants possessing life (sattha), and ways of minimizing harm. This reveals the deep understanding of early Buddhism concerning the relationship between human beings and the natural world, as well as the ethical responsibility that attends every action.
Practical Significance
The Hariteuccāra is not merely a set of dry prohibitions; it is a teaching on Conduct (Sīla) in its fullest and most comprehensive sense.
🌏 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.