Upp Pc 18Encroaching on a Monastic
Pāli / Sanskrit:Anupakhajja
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
EXPOSITION OF THE ANUPAKHAJJA SUTTA (UPP PC 18)
Context
The Anupakhajja Sutta is recorded in the final section of the Vinaya Piṭaka (Uppannakhandhaka), preserved in the Pāli Canon of the early Buddhist tradition. This discourse arises from specific situations in the community of monks and nuns after Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī and the female disciples entered the Sangha.
The term “anupakhajja” (anu = following; upakhajja = encroaching, invading) refers to the act of encroaching upon the rights or space of a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī. This is a matter concerning the discipline of the Sangha and mutual respect in communal life.
Main Content
The Anupakhajja Sutta explains the fault of encroaching upon, failing to respect, or taking over the rights of others in the Sangha. Specifically, it states that monks and nuns should not encroach upon or take over the rights of another monk or nun, and similarly in relation to other monastics.
In practical context, “anupakhajja” may include encroaching on living space, property, or assigned rights; failing to respect legally granted rights; or deliberately interfering in another’s work without permission. This discourse emphasizes that such conduct violates the spirit of harmony (sāmaggī) and the internal discipline of the Sangha.
This rule arises from the foundation of the Five Precepts (Pañcasīla) and the Eight Precepts (Atthasīla), where respect for the property and rights of others is an essential part. This legal section warns that encroaching actions lead to tension and conflict and weaken the shared spiritual aspiration of the community.
Practical Meaning
The profound meaning of the Anupakhajja Sutta lies in protecting mutual respect in the community of practice. Each member of the Sangha has the right to live safely, to have personal space, and to use communal resources fairly.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.