Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Sk 95Na kaṁbhākṛtasya

The Na kaṁbhākṛtasya Discourse

Explanation of Early Buddhist Discipline

Background

The Na kaṁbhākṛtasya discourse (Pāli: Na kambhākitassa) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the most sacred component of the Pāli Canon, deeply regulating the foundation of the life of practice for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs according to the Theravāda tradition. This discourse concerns regulations about personal property, especially items made or possessed by members of the Sangha.

The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the nirvana of the Buddha Siddhartha, the Tathagata, in order to protect harmony in the Sangha organization and enhance the ethical conduct of those gone forth. Each rule was developed on the basis of specific events that occurred, reflecting the Buddha’s wisdom in teaching principles suited to each circumstance.

Main Content

The phrase “Na kaṁbhākṛtasya” in the disciplinary context points to the matter of items not made by the person gone forth. This is directly related to the principle of property for bhikkhus: they are not permitted to accumulate possessions beyond what is necessary for the life of practice.

According to the spirit of the Vinaya, those gone forth may possess only basic items serving the needs of life, called “principal requisites” (paricchaggakkhanda). Things that the monastic has not made personally, but that others have given or prepared, must be managed reasonably and openly, avoiding private hoarding or desire.

This regulation reflects a hidden principle: the one gone forth has abandoned household life and worldly economic labor, and therefore lives through the support of the community. Whatever property they possess has the character of being offered by the disciplined community, not the result of personal labor. Therefore, these items must be cared for with an attitude of gratitude and humility, and must not be used arbitrarily for personal purposes.