Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 74Douching
Pāli / Sanskrit:Udakasuddhika
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Udakasuddhika Discourse — The Rule on Cleanliness and Water
Background
The Udakasuddhika discourse (udaka = water; suddhika = concerning cleanliness) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Pācittiya section of the Theravāda Vinaya. This portion sets forth higher ethical rules for bhikkhus. This discourse was compiled on the basis of events that occurred in the ancient Sangha community, when the Buddha Gotama established principles of hygiene and respect concerning money, food, drinking water, and other essential materials in monastic life.
In the historical context, during this period the Sangha lived in difficult conditions and often had to use water from shared canals, ponds, and lakes. Thus rules concerning the handling, preservation, and use of water became important in order to protect the survival of small living beings and ensure the integrity of practice.
Main Content
Udakasuddhika concerns the careful handling of water, especially the principle of avoiding harm to living beings in water. According to the Pācittiya rules (lighter offenses that can be confessed), a bhikkhu should not, in the absence of guidance, instruct others to pour water containing living beings into a place where they may be harmed. If there is a way to avoid this, such as filtering the water through cloth or letting the water stand so that the creatures can escape, the bhikkhu must follow it.
The discourse states that water is considered communal property of the Sangha, and its use must follow the principle of non-harming (ahiṁsā). In particular, when washing bowls, washing robes, or using water each day, a bhikkhu should be aware that water may contain tiny forms of life. If harm cannot be avoided completely, one should try to minimize it by filtering the water or waiting.
This rule reflects one of the foundations of the Buddha’s teaching: concern not only for human beings, but for all forms of life, from great to small. This expresses the spirit of the sambojjhaṅga (the seven factors of awakening), especially mindfulness (sati) and patience (khanti).
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