Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 153Instruction
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ovāda
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
DISCOURSE ON SUPPORT (OVĀDA)
Background
The Ovāda discourse (support) is an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha (the precepts for bhikkhunīs). This section records the Buddha’s teachings for the monastic community, especially women monastics, on how to practice and regulate conduct in the pure life of practice.
The background for this discourse concerns disciplinary issues arising in the community of monks and nuns. The Buddha, with boundless compassion, gave clear teachings to guide bhikkhunīs in practicing rightly according to the Dharma, preserving the true Dharma, and maintaining harmony in the community. This discourse is an expression of the Buddha’s flexible and wise method of education, combining strict discipline with loving care.
Main Content
Ovāda means "instruction" or "spiritual support" (ov + āda = to teach, to guide). Through this section, the Buddha provided specific guidance on how to practice the basic ethical principles (Sīla, morality), manage the mind (Samādhi, concentration), and develop wisdom (Paññā).
The supports in this discourse are not mechanical prohibitions but compassionate advice, helping women monastics understand the deeper reason why these rules need to be followed. The Buddha emphasized that keeping discipline is not for punishment, but for the profound protection of each individual monastic.
The Ovāda section also mentions specific situations that bhikkhunīs may encounter and how to handle them in a manner consistent with the Dharma. This shows that the Buddha was not only a lawgiver but also a spiritual counselor with deep understanding of human psychology.
Practical Meaning
The practical value of Ovāda lies in the fact that it provides a framework for living mindfully and consciously.
🌏 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.