Lzh Mi Bu Vb Np 11Asking for Thread
Pāli / Sanskrit:Suttaviññatti
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Sutta on Asking for Thread
Background
This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha Nissaggiya Pācittiya section - offenses requiring forfeiture and confession. These are regulations concerning the possessions of Buddhist monastics, especially clothing and requisites for practice.
The historical origin of the original sutta is this: the Buddha Śākyamuni established these prohibitions in order to discipline contemporary monks who had faults of craving material goods, and to protect the purity of the Sangha. The sutta "Asking for Thread" (Suttaviññatti) concerns the apparent issue that monastics should not ask laypeople for thread or sewing materials in an excessive or improper way, because such conduct can lead to greed and blur the boundary between monastics and ordinary people.
Main Content
In the Pātimokkha, the Buddha prescribes that bhikkhus may not ask specific devotees for thread or cloth unless there is a valid reason and it is done in a way that does not violate ethics. Specifically, if a monastic asks directly for thread with the intention of preparing clothing for himself, especially when there is coaxing or an explicit request directed toward a particular devotee, this is considered a Nissaggiya Pācittiya offense - an offense requiring the forfeiture of that object and confession.
This rule does not mean that the Buddha wanted monastics to suffer for lack of clothing. Rather, it prevents craving for material goods from developing into a habit, and protects the proper relationship between the Sangha and laypeople. Devotees will naturally know how to offer clothing to monastics who need it without being coaxed or directly asked. If the item is obtained by asking, the monastic must forfeit it and confess before the Sangha.
Practical Meaning
This sutta teaches that purity lies not only in physical action but also in consciousness and intention (cetanā).
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.