Lzh Mi Bi Vb Sk 7Na kalāpakaṁ
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na kalāpakaṁ
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The Na Kalāpakaṁ Discourse: An Exposition
Background
Na Kalāpakaṁ is a text belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, where the rules of practice and the governance of the Sangha are concentrated. The designation “Na kalāpakaṁ” is connected with Nakhá-kalāpa, sets of clothing or requisites of a bhikkhu. This discourse is part of the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the Vinaya section for bhikkhunīs, where detailed prohibitions and training guidelines for female renunciants are recorded.
The creative background of this discourse is linked to the historical establishment of the bhikkhunī Sangha with the Buddha Śākyamuni’s permission. Regulations concerning clothing and requisites of daily life were practical matters set forth by the Buddha to protect purity, mindfulness, and harmony in the Sangha.
Main Content
Na Kalāpakaṁ regulates the use and possession of personal requisites by bhikkhunīs. According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, each bhikkhunī is permitted to possess five sets of robes and other basic requisites such as: inner robe, outer robe, cloak (layers of robes called cīvara), and supporting implements for daily life such as an alms bowl, water strainer, broom, and so forth.
This discourse prohibits bhikkhunīs from possessing more than the prescribed amount. If they exceed it, the nun must voluntarily relinquish the surplus or carry out steps of penance. In addition, Na Kalāpakaṁ also stipulates that these requisites are not to be made from luxurious materials such as gold, silver, or silk, in order to preserve the spirit of renouncing the means of worldly pleasure.
Another important point concerns regulations on exchanging, giving, or selling these requisites. Each action must be performed formally, with the community as witness, to avoid disputes and conflict.
Practical Meaning
The regulations of Na Kalāpakaṁ are not arbitrary restrictions, but profound teachings on perseverance and diligent practice.
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