Lzh Mu Bu Vb Sk 32Na sarvakāyaṁ samavadhāyā niṣatsyāma
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na sarvakāyaṁ samavadhāyā niṣatsyāma
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Explanation of the Na sarvakāyaṁ samavadhāyā niṣatsyāma Sutta
Background
This sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Mahāvagga, the important regulations governing the life of the Sangha. Its background arises from specific situations in the bhikkhu community during the Buddha’s lifetime, where matters of discipline and collective practice needed to be clarified.
The Sanskrit/Pāli title “Na sarvakāyaṁ samavadhāyā niṣatsyāma” means: “The entire body of the Sangha will not sit together.” This is an important decision related to discipline in practice and practical arrangement in the Sangha community.
This sutta reflects the period when the Buddha was active in teaching in India, as the Sangha developed and required specific guidance to maintain harmony as well as observance of the common spirit of practice.
Main Content
The specific content of this sutta has not been fully translated in available materials. However, based on the context of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, the sutta concerns principles related to seating arrangements and participation in collective activities of the Sangha community.
The principle “not the entire body of the Sangha” (sarvakāya) implies that there are specific cases in which not all members of the Sangha body need to or are able to participate equally. This may relate to:
Requirements concerning Dharma conduct: bhikkhus who have violated serious Pātimokkha rules may be restricted from or excluded from certain collective activities. Regulations concerning age and experience in practice: a new bhikkhu may not participate in important decisions or specific ceremonies until he meets the requirements of time in practice.
Health issues or personal circumstances may make it impossible for some bhikkhus to participate. Decisions of the Sangha require the presence of a certain number of bhikkhus according to prescribed quorum rules.
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