San Mg Bu Pm Sk 14Well-Restrained (2nd)

Explanation of the Dutiyasusaṁvuta Sutta (The Second on Forbearance)

Background

The Dutiyasusaṁvuta Sutta, or “The Second on Self-Restraint,” belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This is one of the injunctions related to the Pātimokkha, the rules of repentance for the Buddhist Sangha, established to guide those gone forth in maintaining spiritual purity and communal discipline.

This sutta is closely connected with the principle of “Susaṁvuta” (forbearance, self-restraint), one of the important aspects of Buddhism. The word “Susaṁvuta” has its root in “saṁvara,” meaning guarding or restraining the sense faculties. When it is mentioned as “second” (dutiya), this shows that the sutta wishes to emphasize continuous training, not a single act but an unceasing process of practice.

Main Content

This sutta focuses on practical instructions on how monastics should be patient and self-restrained in experience, especially experiences that are unwanted or unpleasant. According to the Pāli Canon, patience or forbearance (kṣānti in Sanskrit, khanti in Pāli) is one of the highest virtues in Buddhism.

The sutta emphasizes that a good practitioner must be able to:

First, actively guard the sense faculties (indriya-saṁvara), restraining the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind when they come into contact with objects. This is not fear, but mindfulness, awareness of the effect of these contacts.

Second, patiently endure difficulties in practice: hunger, thirst, heat and rain, insects, illness, or harsh words. These are common trials for one gone forth.

Third, maintain a proper attitude (sammā-ājīva) in one’s way of life, food, robes, lodging, and medicine, all of which must accord with the Vinaya.

Practical Meaning

The forbearance spoken of in this sutta is not weakness or passivity.