Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Ss 5Matchmaking

Exposition of the Sañcaritta Sutta (Mediation)

Background

The Sañcaritta Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the early tradition and is an important part of the regulations governing the communal life of monks and nuns. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to guide the Buddha’s disciples to live according to discipline, thereby supporting the practice leading to liberation.

This sutta discusses “sañcaritta,” movement, communication, or mediation between persons. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, these are rules concerning how monks and nuns interact and communicate with one another and with outsiders. The context in which this sutta is used is usually specific situations that occurred within the monastic community, from which the Buddha established rules to protect discipline and the purity of the Sangha jewel.

Main Content

The Sañcaritta Sutta deals with situations involving interaction among members of the Sangha jewel. Specifically, it concerns cases in which a monk or nun becomes involved in “connecting” or “mediating” relationships between different individuals, especially relationships involving affection or marriage.

This rule reflects the concern of early Buddhism to avoid ways of life unsuitable to the nature of a renunciant. A person training in discipline (sīla) should not engage in “sañcaritta,” inappropriate communication or intervention that conflicts with ethics and discipline. This applies not only to monastics but also serves as a guiding principle for the entire community of devotees.

The sutta clearly establishes boundaries for the social conduct of practitioners, thereby preserving purity and focus on the main goal: practice for the attainment of nirvana. The rules concerning sañcaritta also reflect a deep understanding of human psychology; if monastics are allowed to participate in such activities, they may easily be drawn into worldly affairs and thereby lose the concentration needed for practice.