Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Sk 46Na cāṁsapracālakā niṣatsyāma

Explanation of the Na cāṁsapracālakā niṣatsyāma Sutra

Background

The Na cāṁsapracālakā niṣatsyāma Sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, especially among the regulations related to the conduct and discipline of the Sangha. In the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as the foundation of the Dharma, maintaining holiness and harmony in the monastic community.

This sutra was recorded from the time when the Buddha was still alive, when he established principles for governing the Sangha in order to protect the Dharma-status of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The background of its formulation is often related to specific situations arising in communal practice, from which the Buddha gave regulations to resolve disputes and maintain discipline.

Main Content

The title "Na cāṁsapracālakā niṣatsyāma" (不應令人搖動) means "We should not make others shaken or unstable." This sutra concerns the principle of not performing actions that cause the Sangha to become unstable or shake the faith of those in training.

The specific content relates to rules for monastic conduct, especially actions that should not be done publicly or words that should not be spoken in certain cases. This reflects the approach of the early Vinaya: it not only prohibits wrongful acts, but also prohibits actions that, though not themselves offenses, may still disturb or shake the faith of the Sangha or living beings.

This sutra is also related to principles of harmony (Saṅgha Sāmaggī) in the community of practice. This is one of the important issues emphasized by the Buddha, because harmony is a necessary condition for the teaching to endure for a long time.

Practical Meaning

In present-day practice, the Na cāṁsapracālakā niṣatsyāma Sutra teaches us that discipline is not merely a set of mechanical rules, but guidance that helps protect the holiness of the mind and of the community.