Lzh Mu Bi Pm Sk 90Na śivikānūḍhāya

The Na śivikānūḍhāya Sutta — The Rule Concerning a Married Woman

Background

In the Vinaya Piṭaka of early Buddhadharma, Na śivikānūḍhāya is a rule connected with the discipline of monks and nuns, especially regulations concerning conduct and relationships among members of the community of practice. The specific title points to a case involving a woman with a family, and this rule is recorded in the detailed disciplinary collections of the Pāli Canon.

The context in which this rule arose was when the Buddha and the early disciples faced practical issues related to the purpose of monastic practice, social ethics, and the protection of the honor of vulnerable people. The Vinaya Piṭaka often emerges from specific situations that monks and nuns encountered or committed. Each rule established by the Buddha was not an arbitrary imposition, but was intended to protect the Sangha community from negative consequences and to maintain purity in action and intention.

Main Content

The rule Na śivikānūḍhāya refers to specific regulations concerning interactions between members of the community of practice and women who are in marital relationships. These rules emphasize that monastics must avoid actions or words that could cause misunderstanding, damage reputation, or give rise to suspicion about the humility of the monastic community.

Specifically, this rule addresses ethical standards related to maintaining the dignity of the Sangha and protecting women from misunderstanding or offense. The regulations in this section of the discipline are not merely simple prohibitions, but instructions for educating the mind, helping monastics develop alertness (sampajañña) and wisdom (paññā) in every social interaction.

The Vinaya Piṭaka in general, and this section in particular, is structured according to levels of offense, from minor to serious violations, with corresponding penalties. This helps maintain order within the Sangha community and ensures that each member is treated fairly.