Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Sk 54Na vikṣiptikākṛtā niṣatsyāma

Explanation of the Na vikṣiptikākṛtā niṣatsyāma Sutta

Background

The Na vikṣiptikākṛtā niṣatsyāma Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Vibhaṅga section of the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the discipline for nuns. This is one of the important prohibitions concerning the discipline and mental concentration of women monastics in the Buddhist Sangha.

The title is translated as “One should not let the mind wander loosely” or “We should not have a scattered mind.” This sutta reflects the Buddha’s concern for maintaining inner discipline and focused practice among nuns in the religious community.

The founding context of this sutta arose from specific events in the early history of the Sangha. Nuns were taught that in order to progress in the practice of the Buddha-Dharma, they had to maintain concentration (samādhi) and avoid letting the mind fall into a scattered and dispersed state. This is not only a moral issue but also the foundation of energy (viriya) on the path of practice.

Main Content

This sutta focuses on the principle that a nun should not allow her mind to fall into a “vikṣipta” state, that is, scattered, wandering, and unfocused. This is a violation of the rule of mental concentration that nuns must observe.

According to the Theravāda tradition, the scattered mind is regarded as a chief obstacle in the process of practice. It is not a violation in bodily action or speech, but a violation in the quality of the inner life, the loss of vigilance and loss of control over the mind. This is why the Vinaya Piṭaka shapes monks and nuns to train continuously in attention (sampajañña) and mindfulness (sati).

The sutta teaches that nuns who violate this, allowing the mind to wander without striving for realization, will be regarded as not observing religious discipline. This does not mean immediate expulsion, but that correction and renewed cultivation of concentration are needed.