San Mu Bu Pm GBM 3 Sk 56Na thutthukāraka

The Na thutthukāraka Sutta — The Discipline Concerning Those Who Do Not Ask Permission

Background

The Na thutthukāraka Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition, the most important normative code for the Buddhist monastic community. The title “Na thutthukāraka” means “those who are not requested” or “those who do not ask permission,” referring to monastics who act on their own initiative without following the basic principles of training discipline.

In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this sutta is presented as a normative clause concerning the conduct of monastics who violate communal regulations. It belongs to the rules that maintain harmony and order in the Sangha (the monastic community), established by the Buddha after witnessing specific situations arise within the community.

Main Content

Na thutthukāraka refers to monastics who perform actions related to the Sangha without the consent or request of other members of the community. This includes actions such as deciding communal matters on their own, performing ceremonies or decisions without consulting other monks, or bypassing established procedures.

This rule emphasizes that in the Sangha, no monk has the authority to act independently in matters affecting the whole community. Every important decision must be made according to formal procedures, with the participation and consent of the members. This reflects a basic principle of Early Buddhism: equality and democratic character within the religious community.

When a monastic acts as one who is “na thutthukāraka,” it is considered a violation of Sangha rules. Depending on the degree of the action, it may lead to various penalties, from admonitions to more serious disciplinary measures.

Practical Meaning

Na thutthukāraka is not only an administrative rule from the past, but also a profound principle concerning how to organize a community of practice.