Lzh Mu Bi Pm Sk 11Well-Restrained
Pāli / Sanskrit:Susaṁvuta
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Susaṁvuta Sutta — Those Who Are Well Restrained
Background
The Susaṁvuta Sutta (Pāli: Su-saṁvuta, provisionally translated “Well Guarded” or “Completely Restrained”) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka — the Buddhist canonical section concerning the rules and customs of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. In the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of prohibitions, but the foundation of harmonious communal life, creating conditions for each individual to practice the Path fully.
This text was taught by the Buddha to clarify what genuine disciplined practice is. Its audience is bhikkhus who have gone forth, those who have left household life to pursue liberation. Yet its content still holds deep value for all who wish to practice the Middle Way.
Main Content
The term “Susaṁvuta” (well restrained) refers to actions, speech, and thoughts restrained by self-awareness through contemplation and vigilance. This is not restraint through fear or external pressure, but self-discipline arising from clear understanding of cause and effect (Hetu-Phala).
According to the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, a person who is “well restrained” is one who observes the Five Precepts (Pañca-Sīla) or, at a higher level, the Eight Precepts, Ten Precepts, or the Bhikkhunī precepts. More important, however, is the motivation within the heart: understanding that violating the precepts leads to suffering (Dukkha), stains the mind (Citta), and creates obstacles to spiritual progress.
The text emphasizes that one who is well restrained is one who:
First, guards the indriya (sense faculties), not allowing the senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind) to fall unconsciously into pleasure and desire.
Second, lives with moderation, especially in eating and drinking. One does not eat to excess, nor regard eating as the final aim, but as a means to maintain health for practice.
🌏 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.