Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Sk 76Nojjighrantaḥ

The Nojjighrantaḥ Scripture

Background

The Nojjighrantaḥ scripture belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha-Dharma, a collection of rules and guidance for the practice of the community of monks and nuns. The Vinaya Piṭaka was recorded after the Buddha entered nirvāṇa in order to preserve the law of practice he had established in communities of students.

This scripture appears in a historical context in which monks and nuns needed clear guidance on conduct, awareness, and attitude in the process of practice. The word “Nojjighrantaḥ” (Pāli) has the meaning “not wrapped,” “not bound,” or from another aspect, “not advocating,” referring to a state of liberation from mental bonds, or to a way of acting freely yet with discipline. The context of its establishment shows that the Theravāda Buddha-Dharma emphasizes a balance between outward discipline and inner liberation.

Main Content

Nojjighrantaḥ in the Vinaya Piṭaka reflects the principle of conduct not bound by delusion or error. This scripture instructs monks and nuns that correct practice of the Dharma is not a process of binding oneself mechanically to rules, but freedom attained through observance of the pure discipline (Vinaya).

According to the Theravāda tradition, the pure discipline consists of principles (sīla, morality) determined by the Buddha to protect the community of practice from spiritual harm. Each rule in the discipline is not an imposed command, but a path leading to a peaceful mind and wisdom. The conduct of “not being bound” (Nojjighrantaḥ) means that the monk or nun acts with an awakened mind, not drawn by tendencies of prior existence (saṃsāra), but practicing the Dharma because of clear understanding of the reason.

The scripture points out that a true monk or nun is one who is not “bound” by mistaken delusions about the world, not fettered by greed, hatred, or delusion. They are free because they have abandoned the inner chains.