Lzh Mi Bu Pm Sk 74Na gulugulu

Explanation of the Na Gulugulu Discourse

From the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Tradition

Background

The Na Gulugulu discourse is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, in which “Na” means “those who,” and “gulugulu” indicates a specific situation related to some action or quality of bhikkhus. The Vinaya Piṭaka is one of the three main collections of the Buddhist canon, containing the rules of practice (Pātimokkha) that the Buddha established for the Saṅgha.

The content of this discourse arises from real circumstances in the formation and development of the bhikkhu community. The Buddha, with sublime wisdom, observed deviations in the behavior of his disciples and established disciplinary rules in order to protect the Saṅgha, maintain order, and preserve moral purity. This discourse reflects one of the specific situations in which he had to intervene to instruct and correct.

Main Content

In the context of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, the Na Gulugulu discourse concerns an inappropriate behavior or habit of a group of bhikkhus. Although the specific term “gulugulu” is not a common designation in other orthodox Vinaya texts, it still points to a deviation that needed correction.

When the Buddha was informed of this situation, he assembled the Saṅgha and clearly pointed out the nature of the deviation. He did not judge with anger or imposed authority, but as a wise teacher, explaining why that action violated the spirit of Buddhism, harmed diligence in practice, and affected the ethics of the monastic community.

Through this discourse, the Buddha established a rule or restated a related disciplinary principle, in order to educate the bhikkhus about the importance of personal discipline and shared responsibility toward the Saṅgha. This approach reflects the philosophy of the Vinaya Piṭaka: not punishment for the sake of punishment, but education and transformation of the mind.