Lzh Mu Bi Vb Sk 23Na vikṣiptikākṛtā pravekṣyāma
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na vikṣiptikākṛtā pravekṣyāma
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Interpretation of the Na vikṣiptikākṛtā pravekṣyāma Sutta
Background
This text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhadharma, where regulations on monastic discipline and the Sangha community are preserved. The title "Na vikṣiptikākṛtā pravekṣyāma" means "We shall not accept those whose minds are scattered" and is part of the regulations concerning the selection and management of members in the Sangha.
The Vinaya Piṭaka arose from occasions when the Buddha Śākyamuni and his disciples faced issues of communal discipline. Each rule (Pātimokkha) was established not to punish, but to protect harmony, spiritual progress, and the honor of the Sangha. This text specifically concerns standards for accepting people into the Sangha, especially regarding their mental condition and stability.
Main Content
During the development of the Sangha, the Buddha encountered difficulties when people with unstable minds, mental illness, or improper intentions tried to enter the monastic community. This text sets forth a clear principle: the Sangha should not accept those with scattered intelligence (vikṣipta-citta) or an unfocused mind.
The basic reason is that the practice of the Buddhadharma requires a high degree of concentration, continuous mindfulness, and the ability to govern the mind. Those without this capacity will have difficulty practicing the precepts, participating in meditation, and understanding the Dharma. Moreover, the absence of concentration (samādhi) will make them a burden to the community and unable to progress on the path of practice.
This regulation is not discrimination, but wisdom in community management. The Buddha understood that the Sangha needs to be protected so that it can function effectively, maintain internal discipline, and focus on the goal of liberation.
Practical Meaning
For those who practice the Buddhadharma today, this text carries a profound message about the importance of a concentrated mind.
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