San Lo Bi Vb Pc 119Within Their Own Country

Explanation of the Antoraṭṭha Scripture (Within One's Own Territory)

Context

The Antoraṭṭha scripture is found in the Pācittiya section, the internal rules concerning offenses that must be confessed, within the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon. This is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the detailed normative code for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in the Sangha community.

The context in which this scripture arose concerns the issue of self-directed action by bhikkhus when they are within the territory of their own residences (vihāra, monastery) or monastic communities. The issue arose when some monastics performed activities that, in principle, should be performed by ordinary people or attendants, not by the bhikkhus themselves. The Buddha gave this teaching in order to maintain the purity of the Sangha and protect the image of the community of practice.

Main Content

The scripture stipulates that when bhikkhus are within their own territory (antoraṭṭha, within one's own region), they should not themselves perform rough work or heavy labor that is normally assigned to attendants or lay workers. This includes tasks such as digging, turning earth, cutting trees, constructing large works, or other activities of manual labor.

If any bhikkhu performs these tasks himself within his own territory without necessity or for the sake of gain, he commits a Pācittiya offense, one of the offenses requiring confession. However, if the work is done for a necessary reason, such as an emergency or protecting the monastery from danger, it may be exempted.

This rule reflects a basic principle of the Vinaya: maintaining a clear distinction between the position of monastics and that of lay workers, while also preventing monastics from declining into worldly labor that could diminish purity of mind and concentration on practice.

Practical Meaning

The Antoraṭṭha scripture teaches the importance of maintaining the boundary between the monastic life and worldly tasks.