Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 19Using Water With Living Creatures
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sappāṇaka
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Sappāṇaka Sutta: On the Use of Water Containing Life
Background
The Sappāṇaka Sutta (有生命之水, “Water With Life”) is a regulation in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. It is recorded in the Pātimokkha and Vibhaṅga, texts that set forth ethical rules for the monastic community.
The background of this sutta is tied to a basic principle of Theravāda Buddhism: respect for life and avoiding harm to living beings. The Buddha saw that in practical life, monastics needed clear guidance on how to use water without violating the principle of non-killing (ahiṃsā). Although water is an inanimate substance, it may contain tiny living beings that human beings cannot see with the naked eye.
Main Content
The rule of this sutta instructs that when using water—for drinking, washing, or cleaning—monastics must be careful and aware that water may contain small living beings (paramāṇu jīva). The sutta does not absolutely forbid the use of water, for life would be impossible if it did. Instead, it teaches adherence to the principle of carefulness and mindfulness (appamāda).
According to the Vibhaṅga, if a monk uses water without filtering it or carefully inspecting it, and thereby causes living beings in the water to die, that monk violates the rule, a Pācittiya offense requiring acknowledgment and confession. However, if the monk uses water after filtering it through cloth or taking careful protective measures, or if he uses it with deep awareness that living beings may be present but must still use it for survival, there is no violation.
The sutta also instructs that emergencies or cases in which not using water would cause greater harm are also to be considered.
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