Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 As 7Covering With Grass

Tiṇavatthāraka Sutta (Covering with Grass)

Background

The Tiṇavatthāraka Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Buddhist Pātimokkha section, where the Buddha and his disciples discuss principles of monastic discipline. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of prohibitions, but an expression of morality (sīla) and self-regulation of the mind within the monastic community.

This sutta is recorded in the context of monks encountering difficulties in building dwellings or preserving the property of the Sangha. The immediate issue concerns the use of natural materials, specifically grass, to build and protect structures. This was a practical topic in ancient Indian monastic life, when monastics lived close to nature and needed protection against rain and wind.

Main Content

The Tiṇavatthāraka Sutta revolves around regulations on covering or roofing with grass the buildings belonging to the Sangha. The word "Tiṇavatthāraka" means "those who cover with grass" or "covering with grass," referring to the act of protecting buildings or dwellings from the weather by means of natural materials.

According to the Theravāda teaching, the Buddha instructed the Sangha on the proper use of common resources and building materials. This sutta explains the principles that should be followed when monastics carry out maintenance and construction work. The important point is that such work must accord with the spirit of morality (sīla), avoid waste, and ensure fairness in the allocation of labor.

The sutta also addresses principles concerning the sharing of responsibility among members of the Sangha, the handling of disputes if they arise, and the method of collective decision-making in matters concerning common property. The ultimate purpose is to maintain harmony (samaggī) and discipline (vinaya) in the monastic community.