Lzh Mu Bu Pm Sk 58Na viḍaṅgikaya niṣatsyāma

NA VIḌAṄGIKAYA NIṢATSYĀMA SUTTA

An Explanation According to the Theravāda Tradition

Background

The Na viḍaṅgikaya niṣatsyāma Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the basic body of discipline governing the life of practice in the Buddhist Sangha. The title means "We shall not sit together with those who lack the nine factors," or, in a deeper interpretation: "We shall not sit together with one who lacks completeness in virtue or practice."

This discourse appears in the context of the Buddha and his disciples teaching about protecting the purity of the Sangha. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a set of formal rules, but an expression of compassion and wisdom, intended to help all members of the Sangha progress on the path to awakening. "Not sitting together" is not contempt, but a measure of admonition and protection.

Main Content

Na viḍaṅgikaya niṣatsyāma speaks of the principle of not sitting together, or not dwelling together, with those who have not fulfilled the basic conditions of practice. Here, the "nine factors" (nava-aṅga or viḍaṅga) may refer to the nine attainments, the nine factors of Buddhism, or the nine qualities necessary to maintain integrity in virtue.

This discourse declares that the Sangha will maintain distance from members who seriously violate the basic precepts or do not follow the principles of probationary training. This does not mean excluding them forever, but is a way to encourage them to train themselves, learn, and return to the right path. It is a skillful means (upāya) of the Sangha to protect a pure environment of practice.

This principle reflects compassion: it is precisely out of concern for that individual’s progress that the Sangha does not accept delay or negligence in practice. It also protects the whole Sangha from negative influence, maintaining the spiritual standard necessary for common development.