Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Np 13Asking for Thread
Pāli / Sanskrit:Suttaviññatti
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SUTRA INTERPRETATION: Suttaviññatti (Requesting by Speech)
Background
The Suttaviññatti Sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga (the code for nuns). The name "Requesting by Speech" (Suttaviññatti) refers to the act of making a request by words, a form of formal notification or petition within the early Buddhist community of monks and nuns.
In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the codes (Vinaya) were gradually established by the Buddha in order to maintain discipline, communal harmony, and the protection of practice. This sutra reflects a specific situation concerning a nun's request for materials, especially thread (suttaṁ) used for purposes connected with the monastery or with robes.
The appearance of this rule shows that the Buddha placed great importance on purity, formal discipline, and courteous relationships among members of the Sangha.
Main Content
The central issue of the sutra is the proper way to request thread (thread or cloth). A nun needs to request permission by speech (suttaviññattiṁ); she must not ask silently or by gesture, but must speak clearly and truthfully to the person in authority.
The sutra stipulates that this act of requesting permission must follow certain principles: the one who asks must be respectful, must state clearly the reason for the request, must address the request to the appropriate person (usually an elder nun or the manager of monastic property), and must accept the decision of the community.
The nature of "suttaviññatti" is not merely an administrative procedure, but an expression of a pure mind, of not concealing, not deceiving, and of respect for the collective system. By speaking aloud, the nun publicly states her need, allowing the community to oversee and intervene if necessary.
Practical Meaning
The spirit of the Suttaviññatti Sutra goes beyond requesting thread or cloth in an ancient monastery.
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