Lzh Mi Bu Pm Sk 42Na viḍaṅgikaya niṣatsyāma
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na viḍaṅgikaya niṣatsyāma
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Exposition of the Na Viḍaṅgikaya Niṣatsyāma Sutta
Background
The Na Viḍaṅgikaya Niṣatsyāma Sutta, provisionally translated as “Not Sitting Alone,” is a rule text belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravada tradition of the Buddha-Dharma. This text is especially important in regulating the communal life of monks and nuns. The Vinaya Pitaka was promulgated by the Buddha to protect monks and nuns, preserve ethical skillfulness, and maintain harmony within the community of practice.
The context in which this text arose is connected with specific situations that the Buddha encountered in the course of teaching. Rules about seating and conduct among monks and nuns are not groundless, but arise from incidents, misunderstandings, or improper conduct by certain monks. Through them, the Buddha instructed his disciples in what should be avoided in order to preserve purity, especially in communal activities.
Main Content
This text instructs that bhikkhus should not sit alone, separately, especially in public spaces or places likely to give rise to misunderstanding. Sitting alone (viḍaṅga) here does not carry only the simple physical meaning of being separate from the community, but also has broader implications of mental isolation, lack of communication, or nonparticipation in the cooperation of the Sangha.
This rule emphasizes that bhikkhus should remain in proper groups, in moments of sharing and exchange, especially when there are matters concerning communal decisions, the study of the Dharma, or activities of practice. This is not a restriction on personal freedom, but a protective element: protecting the Sangha from unnecessary suspicion, protecting its dignity and the trust of Buddhists, and protecting unity in the Dharma (sangha-rakkhana).
The text is also related to principles such as not separating oneself from the practice of the Dharma (dhamma-patipatti), not feeling apart from the community, and always maintaining connection with the Sangha in every action and decision.
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