Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 79Disposing Feces on Plants

Harituccārachaḍḍana Discourse: Disposing of Feces on Green Plants

Background

The Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection of training rules for monastics in Early Buddhism. The Harituccārachaḍḍana discourse is found in the Pāṭimokkha, the most basic prohibitions. The title of this discourse means “disposing of feces on green plants” (haritu = green plants; uccāra = feces and urine; chaḍḍana = throwing away).

This is one of the rules of virtue related to hygiene and respect for the shared living environment. This discourse arose when the Buddha saw that some monastics disposed of waste in improper places, polluting the green plants in the monastery (vihāra). This violated not only hygiene, but also harmed the environment and caused discomfort for the monastic community as well as other living beings.

This rule expresses the spirit of Buddhism: practice is not only inner purity, but must begin from concrete actions and respect for land, water, plants, and grasses, all that supports our life.

Main Content

The discourse states that monastics may not dispose of waste (feces or urine) on green plants, grasses, or any living being. This is a Pācittiya offense, a third-level fault requiring confession before the Sangha. The purpose of the rule is not to fabricate difficulty, but to protect the life of beings and maintain cleanliness and respect for shared space.

The discourse teaches that monastics should dispose of waste in designated places, such as latrines (kosohana), or in areas without living beings. Observing this is not only compliance with discipline, but also an expression of loving-kindness and compassion, not harming other beings.

This rule is also connected with the fifth of the basic precepts among lay followers (pañcasīla), the preservation of a non-harming way of life. For monastics, the expected standard is higher, because they have resolved to practice the Buddha’s path and become an example for the Buddhist community.