Upp Pc 21Applying Materials to a Large Dwelling
Pāli / Sanskrit:Mahallakavihāra
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Mahallakavihāra Sutta (Upp Pc 21)
Background
The Mahallakavihāra Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Upacāra Pācittiya section, concerning actions that should not be done; pācittiya is a class of offense. This text reflects the early context of the Buddhist monastic community, when monasteries were still simple and the use of building materials and common resources for the Sangha was being established as clear legal rules.
Mahallakavihāra means “great mansion” or “large great monastery” (maha = great, allaka = golden-mineral, vihāra = monastery/temple). This text concerns the use and application of building materials for a large monastic structure. The practical background is that the Buddha’s disciples were developing facilities for the community of practice, but needed to observe ethical principles concerning communal property.
Main Content
This text stipulates that when there is a need to use materials, such as wood, earth, stone, or other substances, to build or repair a large dwelling or monastery belonging to the Sangha, the decision cannot be made arbitrarily by a few individuals. The act of “applying materials” (upacāra) must be carried out carefully, publicly, and with the attestation of the Sangha or duly authorized representatives.
This rule partly protects the integrity of communal property and prevents corruption, waste, or improper use. It also reflects the spirit of equality and transparency that the Buddha wished to establish in the Sangha. The building of large monasteries is meant to serve the common needs of the community of practice, not to satisfy personal preference or accumulate property.
This rule also continues an important principle: the property of the Sangha is communal property; no one may regard it as his own. Anyone who needs to use materials for a common purpose must request permission, declare the matter, and obtain proper attestation, avoiding any “quiet” appropriation or alteration.
🌏 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.