Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 155Spinning Yarn
Pāli / Sanskrit:Suttakantana
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EXPOSITION OF THE SUTTAKANTANA SUTTA (SPINNING YARN)
Background
The Suttakantana Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the list of 227 disciplinary rules for bhikkhus. This sutta reflects real situations that occurred in the early monastic community of Buddhism, when the Buddha needed to establish rules of life in order to maintain discipline and harmony in the Saṅgha.
The background of the sutta concerns some bhikkhus violating regulations about the use of personal requisites, specifically thread used for sewing robes. These are not trivial matters, but reflect a deeper principle of moderation, non-greed, and proper measure in the way of life of a practitioner.
Main Content
The Suttakantana Sutta lays down rules concerning the fact that bhikkhus may not store too much thread or material used for sewing robes beyond the permitted measure. Specifically, the Buddha laid down rules concerning the amount of cloth and thread each bhikkhu may possess. These requisites should be used only for sewing robes according to actual need; they must not be saved or accumulated out of greed or fear of shortage.
The act of "spinning yarn" is mentioned as a handicraft in which bhikkhus might take part. However, the main principle is this: every activity must be directed toward the proper purpose of the path, and must not become a means of livelihood or a way of accumulating property. If a bhikkhu spins yarn in order to sell it or stores it beyond the needs of monastic practice, this violates the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka.
This rule also includes the principle concerning personal property (atthavisesakarana), the essential requisites a bhikkhu is permitted to possess, including three robes, one sitting cloth, one bowl, one tooth-cleaning stick, and a few other articles. Everything beyond this limit is considered excessive and contrary to the spirit of going forth.
Practical Meaning
The Suttakantana Sutta teaches us the discipline of moderation (appicchata), one of the great virtues in Theravāda Buddhism.
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