Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Sk 10Na milimaṁ

Explanation of the Na Milimaṁ Sutta

Background

The Na Milimaṁ Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the regulations for female monastics. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as the foundation of the Sangha, the community of practice, because it is not merely a set of formal rules but direct guidance from Buddha Gotama to protect the purity and unity of his disciples.

The Na Milimaṁ Sutta arose from a specific incident in the process by which the Buddha guided the community of nuns. The phrase “Na milimaṁ” means “this is not suitable” or “this is not praiseworthy,” reflecting the Buddha’s critical attitude when encountering an action not in accord with the teaching. This is the type of recited disciplinary discourse that prescribes actions that should not be done, in order to help those gone forth maintain purity of mind and increase merit for the people.

Main Content

Although the descriptive information does not provide detailed content, based on the structure of the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the Na Milimaṁ Sutta usually discusses a specific action that female monastics should not do. It may relate to improper communication, conduct toward opponents, or actions that could cause monks and nuns to be insulted or damage the honor of the Sangha.

The Buddha’s method was very pragmatic: he did not merely state a dry rule, but also explained why the conduct was unsuitable. Often the Buddha would state clearly that the action was “not praiseworthy, not dignified, not respectful toward the Dharma,” and finally formulate it as a Pātimokkha rule for the whole Sangha of monks and nuns to observe.

The typical structure of such discourses includes: (1) the incident that arose; (2) the Buddha’s criticism; (3) the clear regulation; (4) exceptional cases or factors that mitigate the fault.