Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Sk 93Na kaṁbhākṛtasya

Explanation of the Na Kaṁbhākṛtasya Sutta

Background

The Na Kaṁbhākṛtasya Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Early Buddhist tradition, where the rules of practice and communal discipline for monks and nuns are preserved. This title is translated as “not made by human hands” or “not a product of the hands,” indicating a legal principle concerning actions and conditions not directly created by human beings.

In the context of the Vinaya, this discourse handles complex situations concerning the legal responsibility of monks and nuns. The rules of Buddhist practice not only shape personal ethics but also build the foundation for harmonious communal life (saṅgha). The issue of “not made by human hands” raises a fundamental question: is a practitioner responsible for results not directly caused by his or her own will?

Main Content

The specific content of this discourse has not been fully translated in the present material. However, according to the context of the Early Buddhist Vinaya Piṭaka, this discourse examines cases related to the distinction between intentional and accidental action, between the principal agent and indirect causes.

The concept “Na kaṁbhākṛtasya” appears in many Vinaya situations, especially when an action brings about unintended consequences. For example, if monks or nuns accidentally damage communal property or cause harm to others, not by direct action but through objective circumstances, have they committed an offense at the preliminary level or not? The Early Buddhist Vinaya Piṭaka makes a clear distinction: only intentional actions, shaped by mind and body, constitute a true moral violation.

This principle reflects a profound Buddhist philosophy: action (kamma) is determined by intention (cetanā), not merely by physical result. Several Vinaya rules connected with this principle protect monks and nuns from unfair accusation, ensuring that only intentional and conscious actions constitute violations.