Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 97Lodgings

The Sutta on Lodgings - Āvasathavihāra

Background

The Āvasathavihāra Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the early Buddhist tradition, specifically within the Pātimokkha, the most basic disciplinary rules of the Sangha. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to regulate the conduct of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, helping to protect the community of practice and maintain purity in the Buddhist organization.

In the historical formation of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the prohibitions (Pātimokkha) were introduced gradually when violations occurred in the monastic community. The Āvasathavihāra Sutta concerns the management of lodgings, an important practical issue in Sangha life. It is not a connected discourse or collected doctrinal text, but an essential legal regulation, reflecting the Buddha’s wisdom in harmonizing communal life based on practical experience.

Main Content

The Āvasathavihāra Sutta concerns rules on how bhikkhus use lodgings. In the Theravāda tradition, the management of dwellings (vihāra) is very important because it affects integrity and concentration in practice. Bhikkhus may not arbitrarily use or occupy lodgings without permission, nor may they build or repair lodgings without following the proper procedure.

Specifically, the prohibitions in this section state that a bhikkhu must have approval from senior members of the Sangha or those with authority before using any lodging. When building or repairing a vihāra, certain limits on size and scale must be observed in order to avoid wasting the community’s resources. These regulations reflect Buddhist principles of frugality, collectivity, and responsibility in using the common property of the Sangha.

This rule also protects harmony in the community, prevents disputes over the use of lodgings, and ensures that all bhikkhus are treated fairly.