San Mg Bu Pm Sk 66In Water

Udakeuccāra Sutta - On Sounds or Speech in Water

Background

The Udakeuccāra Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the code for bhikkhunīs. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka records in detail the principles of daily life for the community of monks and nuns, in order to protect the long life of the Teaching. This sutta is found in the San Mg Bu Pm Sk section, rules concerning conduct and speech, and reflects a specific situation arising from the practice of communal training.

The text records an incident concerning speech or sounds uttered in water, perhaps while bathing or at rivers, ponds, and lakes, places where bhikkhunīs commonly carried out activities. This context reflects the living environment of nuns in the Buddha’s time, when daily life took place close to nature and to the tasks of caring for the body.

Main Content

The Udakeuccāra Sutta, from Pāli udaka = water and uccāra = speech or sound, addresses the issue of utterance or speech made while in water. Although the specific content of this section has not been fully translated, in the context of the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha this sutta concerns regulations on:

First, uttered words that may relate to violations of silence or refinement required by the Buddha. Bhikkhunīs must maintain the practice of virtue (sīla) not only in bodily action but also in speech, which is an inseparable part of ethical conduct.

Second, this sutta may address rules concerning modesty in personal tasks, especially those related to hygiene and bathing. The Vinaya Piṭaka always emphasizes respect and dignity in all activities, whether public or private.

Third, it is possible that this sutta concerns abandoning display or careless speech while in water, where one may feel at ease and lose vigilance. This is a reminder of the presence of mindfulness (sati) at all times and in all places.