San Lo Bi Pn 36Monks’ Spreading
Pāli / Sanskrit:bhikṣūṇām āstāro
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Discourse on the Spreads of the Bhikkhus
Background
This section is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Sanghādisesa (San Lo Bi), a category concerning offenses that require discussion and resolution within the Sangha community. The discourse Monks’ Spreading (bhikṣūṇām āstāro) is recorded in the context of the rules of practice for bhikkhus, male renunciants who practice according to the Buddha Dharma.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to record regulations on conduct, lifestyle, and offenses that may arise in the collective life of practice. These rules are not arbitrary prohibitions, but practical guidance intended to protect the purity of the Sangha community, maintain harmony, and create an environment favorable to practice.
The title “Monks’ Spreading,” the spreads of the bhikkhus, relates to the way daily implements in monasteries are managed and arranged, a matter that may seem impersonal but has deep significance concerning discipline and respect for common property.
Main Content
In the tradition of the Pāli Canon, the Sanghādisesa section refers to offenses that must be resolved through the process of assembling the Sangha, where bhikkhus discuss together and investigate the causes of wrongdoing. The Monks’ Spreading discourse specifically revolves around the use and care of spreads (āsana) or articles used in common in the life of the monastery.
A bhikkhu should not arbitrarily take, use, or set aside spreads without permission, especially when they are property of the Sangha or held in common. Such action not only violates the principle of communal ownership, but also reflects a mental state of greed, hoarding, or lack of solidarity with the community.
The rule prohibits actions such as monopolizing a sleeping place or a place of private use without informing the community, leaving behind dirty articles, or failing to care for common property. Such violations are regarded as signs of improper character that need to be examined and corrected through the cooperative process of the community.
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