Lzh Mu Bu Vb Pc 17Encroaching on a Monastic
Pāli / Sanskrit:Anupakhajja
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Anupakhajja Sutta
The Sutta on Encroaching upon the Territory of Monastics
Background
The Anupakhajja Sutta, “encroachment” or “occupation,” is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the later rules (Pācittiya), offenses requiring confession and acknowledgment. It was recorded in the context of the Buddha’s establishment of ethical and disciplinary foundations for the community of monks and nuns, in order to protect harmony (saṅgha), the Dharma, and refined practice.
The title “encroaching upon the dwelling of monastics” (anupakhajja bhikkhunī-senāsanam) points to the nature of violating boundaries, the space allocated by the community to individuals or groups of monastics. In the Theravāda Buddha-Dharma tradition, protecting specific areas is not for possessiveness, but because it creates conditions for practice, concentration of energy (samādhi), and the avoidance of disturbance in the monastic community.
Main Content
This sutta states that a monk, nun, or bhikkhunī should not encroach upon spaces allocated to other monastics or upon common areas of the monastery without permission or suitable necessity. The act of “encroaching” (anupakhajja) in this context includes occupying a room, a meditation seat, or any area entrusted by the community.
The reason for this rule does not come from individualism or private ownership. Rather, it comes from the principle of concentrated attentiveness (sati-sampajañña). When a monastic has a stable dwelling place and does not have to worry about finding a place to sleep, that person can concentrate on meditation and study. On the other hand, respecting spatial boundaries also reflects mutual respect and prevents argument and disharmony in the community of practice.
If a monastic needs to change residence, the proper way is to ask permission from senior monastics or monastery managers and follow the procedure (vinaya). Failure to do so leads to a Pācittiya offense, lighter than the initial rules such as Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa, but still requiring acknowledgment and confession.
🌏 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.