Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 81Nakedness

The Sutta on Nakedness (Nagga)

Background

The Nakedness Sutta (Nagga) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Pāli Canon of the early tradition, within the disciplinary rules (Vinaya) of the Buddhist monastic community. This sutta was recorded in the context of the Buddha and his disciples establishing basic rules of conduct to protect the dignity, culture, and ideal of practice of the Sangha.

In early Buddhist history, disciplinary rules were not established all at once, but gradually formed through specific events. When monks or nuns engaged in unsuitable behavior, the Buddha established a rule (Pātimokkha) to prevent it. The Nagga Sutta is one of the rules related to clothing and conditions in the life of practice.

Main Content

The specific content of this sutta has not been fully translated, but based on the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the rule on nakedness (nagga) relates directly to the behavior of Buddhist monks and nuns.

In the Vinaya, the Buddha especially emphasized that followers of the path should not be publicly naked in common areas, such as monasteries or places where laypeople are present. This rule reflects the principle of “dignified conduct” (indriya-saṃvara), guarding the sense faculties and maintaining noble character. Nakedness is considered behavior unsuitable for the dignity of one gone forth, violating the spirit of practice and causing loss of respect from ordinary people.

This rule also reflects the Buddha’s balanced view: it does not despise the human body, but encourages restraint, moderation, and dignity in all circumstances. Monks and nuns should keep themselves clothed in public places, except in reasonable situations such as bathing or medical treatment.

Practical Meaning

The Nagga Sutta teaches us that clothing is not only a practical matter but an expression of mental conduct. When practitioners keep suitable clothing, they show respect for practice, for the community, and for themselves.