Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 171Nakedness
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nagga
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The Nagga Sutta (The Sutta on Nakedness)
Background
The Nagga Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha section, the list of rules that bhikkhus must uphold. This is not a sutta in the usual sense of a Dharma discourse, but a disciplinary rule concerning the habits and conduct of bhikkhus in the Saṅgha community.
According to the historical background, this rule arose from a specific incident: there were bhikkhus who liked to lie naked on grass or earth, or who did not wear the outer robe (uttarāsaṅga), causing harm to the honor of the Saṅgha and weakening the faith of lay followers. In order to protect the image of the Saṅgha and cultivate dignity, the Buddha established this rule.
The rule on Nakedness (Nagga) is not one of the Pārājika offenses, nor a Saṅghādisesa offense, but belongs to the Pācittiya offenses, minor offenses requiring confession, or to the Sekhiya rules of training. It expresses the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka: correcting not only actions that cause direct harm, but also actions that may damage the conditions for spreading the Dharma.
Main Content
The Nagga Sutta prescribes that bhikkhus should not lie naked or expose the body inappropriately in public circumstances. Specifically, in places such as monasteries, assembly halls, or places where the community gathers, the bhikkhu must cover his body with monastic robes, especially the uttarāsaṅga, the outer robe.
This rule does not forbid nakedness entirely, but regulates it according to social context: when covering is needed in order to respect lay followers, others, and also to protect the dignity of the monastic vocation. The rule also reflects the Buddha’s attitude toward "decorum" and "moral shame and moral dread" (hiri-ottappa), which are basic elements of Buddhist ethics.
If a bhikkhu violates this rule, for example by lying naked in a public place or where lay followers are present, he must declare the fault before the Saṅgha and practice confession (paṭidesanā).
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