Lzh Mi Bu Pm Sk 93Nokkhittakāyassa

Explanation of the Nokkhittakāyassa Discourse

Background

Nokkhittakāyassa is an important rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, belonging to the body of regulations concerning risks related to the body of a bhikkhu. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, these rules were established to protect the purity of the Saṅgha, maintain internal discipline, and prevent actions that harm the honor of the monastic community.

The term “nokkhittaka” means “discarded” or “thrown away,” relating to activities or conditions unsuitable for the body of one who has gone forth. These regulations arose from specific situations that the Buddha witnessed or that were reported to him, when bhikkhus did not practice carefully in matters related to bodily health, hygiene, or actions that could harm the purpose of renunciation.

Main Content

In the Vinaya Piṭaka, rules related to the body (kāya) are guided in detail to ensure that the bhikkhu maintains simple cultivation and abandons habits connected with lay life. Nokkhittakāyassa states standards for how one who has gone forth should care for the body: neither so carelessly as to cause illness, nor with excessive attention to adornment or clothing in a way that attracts attention.

This rule is also related to activities that a bhikkhu should not take part in, such as tasks that may harm health or endanger life. Reckless actions, such as excessive self-denial or adopting extreme forms of asceticism, were not encouraged by the Buddha, because the Middle Way (Majjhimā Paṭipadā) is a basic principle of Buddhism.

This rule also mentions the responsibility of the Saṅgha to supervise and care for bhikkhus who are ill or weak, expressing compassion and a communal spirit within the Saṅgha.