Lzh Mi Bi Pm Sk 2Nātyavakṛṣṭaṁ nivāsayiṣyāma

An Explanation of the Nātyavakṛṣṭaṁ nivāsayiṣyāma Sutta

Background

The Nātyavakṛṣṭaṁ nivāsayiṣyāma Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the body of material governing and regulating the ethics of the Sangha. The title means "one of poor cleanliness will be allowed to stay," reflecting rules concerning the attitude, behavior, and manner of receiving and dealing with monastics in the religious community.

The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a collection of harsh punitive commands, but wise contemplative guidance intended to educate spiritually and protect the unity of the Sangha. Each rule has a story and an arising condition (paccaya) as its foundation, helping monastics understand the spirit rather than obey merely in form. The Nātyavakṛṣṭaṁ nivāsayiṣyāma Sutta belongs among detailed regulations about sharing living space and conduct within the community of practice.

Main Content

This sutta concerns situations in which a monk or bhikkhunī does not maintain personal hygiene or the cleanliness of the dwelling at an appropriate level, causing trouble for other monastics in the community. The terms "nātyavakṛṣṭaṁ" (one of poor cleanliness) and "nivāsayiṣyāma" (will allow to stay or assign a dwelling) indicate the action of the Sangha in dealing with members who do not observe shared standards of hygiene and order.

Although the specific content of this sutta has not yet been fully translated in existing Pāli Canon materials, according to the context of the Theravāda Vinaya, similar regulations often concern the arrangement of lodging, sharing of communal property, and management of hygiene in common living quarters. These are practical matters in the life of a monastic community, where each individual affects the mental and physical well-being of others.

The spirit of these regulations is not to punish, but to educate awareness of mutual interaction, shared responsibility, and harmonious living.