Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Sk 105Holding a Staff
Pāli / Sanskrit:Daṇḍapāṇi
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The Sutta on Holding a Staff: Daṇḍapāṇi
Background
The Daṇḍapāṇi Sutta, on holding a staff, belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the regulations governing the life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in the Sangha. The Theravāda tradition regards the Vinaya Piṭaka as the foundation of ethical practice, because through observing concrete rules, concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā) can be established.
This sutta was composed after the Buddha Śākyamuni established the Sangha, in order to address issues that arose in the course of practice and study in the monastic community. Daṇḍapāṇi specifically concerns the holding of a staff or wooden stick, a matter related to the personal requisites of renunciants.
Main Content
According to the spirit of the Early Buddhist Vinaya, the Daṇḍapāṇi Sutta discusses rules concerning the holding of unnecessary material objects (rūpa). The staff in this context is not a work tool or weapon of combat, but a living implement that may be connected with self-defense or support while walking.
Buddhist law clearly stipulates that a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī should not grasp objects such as staffs, swords, or anything with the nature of being used to attack or defend oneself through force. The basic reason is that the renunciant has abandoned worldly life with its desires, anger, and delusion. Carrying such instruments shows that the mind is not yet truly unified in practice.
Furthermore, when one holds objects connected with aggression or violence, even in potential form, the monk’s mind cannot reach a pure and peaceful state (upasanta). This is why the Buddha Dharma always emphasizes that renunciants must observe the five basic precepts (pañca-sīla), along with other rules intended to protect the mind and protect concentration.
Practical Meaning
The deep meaning of Daṇḍapāṇi does not stop at the level of administrative rule.
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