Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Sk 4Na hastiśuṇḍaṁ
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na hastiśuṇḍaṁ
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The Na hastiśuṇḍaṁ Scripture — On Not Abusing Power
Context
Na hastiśuṇḍaṁ is a scripture belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Early Buddhist tradition. It records training rules for monks and nuns, with specific situations arising from communal life in the Sangha.
The title means "not an elephant's trunk" (Na hastiśuṇḍaṁ), a metaphor that helps disciples understand why one should not abuse one's strength or power. Just as an elephant's trunk possesses great strength but must be controlled, the body and mind of a practitioner must be governed wisely.
The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a set of dry regulations, but also contains profound teachings on ethics and self-restraint. Each Vinaya scripture arises from a specific event, showing that the Buddha was a flexible teacher, always adapting his teaching to suit the circumstances and dispositions of his disciples.
Main Content
The specific content of this scripture has not yet been fully translated in existing materials; however, based on the general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, it teaches that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must respect discipline and must not abuse their influence or strength to coerce or harm others in the community of practice.
In the Vinaya Piṭaka, matters such as violent action, abuse of power, or harming others are all regarded as violations of self-guarding principles. The Buddha taught that even if a practitioner has influence, talent, or high status in the community, they must still maintain a pure and compassionate mind and not abuse those advantages.
The metaphor of the elephant's trunk emphasizes that strength must be trained and controlled. A strong elephant that is not trained becomes dangerous; likewise, a practitioner with strength in wisdom or status but lacking a disciplined mind becomes an obstacle to themselves and to the community.
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