Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 123Not Nursing

Naupaṭṭhāpana Sutta (The Sutta on Not Caring)

Background

Naupaṭṭhāpana is a rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The Pāli term “naupaṭṭhāpana” means “not caring for” or “not serving,” reflecting one of the important ethical principles in Buddhist monastic life.

This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in Pātimokkhasaṁvara, the collection of rules of conduct that Buddhist monastics must observe in order to maintain a harmonious monastery organization and focus on the goal of liberation. In a Mahāyāna context, this sutta also reflects the spirit of not depending on craving for care, but instead focusing on inward practice.

This rule arose from specific situations in monastic life, where monastics needed to maintain independence and not become caught in dependent relationships marked by craving, because this would obstruct the process of practice leading toward nirvana (nibbāna).

Main Content

The Naupaṭṭhāpana rule emphasizes that monastics should not engage excessively in caring for others, especially when the purpose is to seek dependency or personal benefit. Specifically, bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must not:

Provide care services for the purpose of creating vulnerable or dependent relationships. This includes intentionally creating circumstances in which others must come to them for basic needs.

Use care as a means to build personal influence or status within the practicing community. This violates the spirit of abandoning self-importance and personal ambition.

Continue relationships of care when it is clear that they do not serve the liberation of the person cared for or oneself.

This rule does not forbid the act of self-care, but forbids allowing care to become the main focus of practice, or using it as a tool for building relationships of dependency.