Lzh Mu Bu Vb Sk 75Na tate na prapāte na prāgbhāre pātraṁ sthāpayiṣyāma
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na tate na prapāte na prāgbhāre pātraṁ sthāpayiṣyāma
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Na Tate Na Prapāte Na Prāgbhāre Pātraṁ Sthāpayiṣyāma Sutta
Explanation from the Vinaya Piṭaka
Background
This sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition, specifically in the section of detailed regulations (Mahāvibhaṅga or Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga). The Vinaya Piṭaka consists of the rules of practice established by the Buddha for the Sangha, in order to maintain discipline, harmony, and purity in the community of monks (bhikkhus).
Rules concerning the use of the alms bowl (pātra, the monk’s bowl) are regarded as practical matters in the ascetic life. The bowl is not merely a tool for food, but also represents simplicity, discipline, and respect in practice. This sutta concerns how to place, preserve, and use the alms bowl according to certain principles.
Main Content
The title “Na tate na prapāte na prāgbhāre pātraṁ sthāpayiṣyāma” is roughly translated as “We shall not place the bowl on a high place, nor in a hollow, nor in front.” This is a specific command concerning how to handle the alms bowl in the course of practice.
This command reflects balance and care in daily action. Not placing the bowl in a high place may prevent careless dropping or damage; not placing it in a hollow or wet place prevents the bowl from becoming stained or decayed; not placing it in front avoids carelessness and lack of wakefulness.
In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, such small commands are not unreasonable restrictions, but lessons in mindfulness (sati), continuous wakefulness. Every action, however small, must be performed with clear awareness and purpose. The Buddha taught that practice does not exist only in moments of seated meditation, but in every moment of life.
Practical Meaning
This regulation teaches us a profound lesson about the universal scope of ethics and mindfulness.
🌏 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.