San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Sk 20Well-Covered (2nd)

Explanation of the Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna Sutta (The Second Covering)

Background

The Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Pātimokkha section, a collection of basic ethical rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunis must observe. This sutta is recorded in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, where the Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as the foundation of the Sangha (the monastic community).

The word "Dutiya" means "second" or "for the second time," while "Suppaṭicchanna" means "thoroughly covered" or "well covered." This sutta concerns rules about covering the body and managing propriety in the life of practice. The historical context of the Vinaya Piṭaka is the guidance set forth by the Buddha as the Sangha developed, in order to protect the purity and order of the monastic community.

Main Content

According to the Pāli tradition, the Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna Sutta concerns regulations on concealing, protecting, or managing delicate aspects of the life of practice. Specifically, it refers to rules about how to conduct oneself with requisites, clothing, and situations requiring propriety within the Sangha.

The content of this sutta instructs bhikkhus in how to preserve purity through specific and careful actions. These are not rigid rules but principles that help monastics avoid conduct that could cause misunderstanding or diminish public respect for the Sangha. The sutta emphasizes that a trained monastic should always be careful in every action, even when that action may not violate a basic ethical principle.

The regulations in Dutiyasuppaṭicchanna reflect the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka: not only avoiding what is bad, but also avoiding the appearance of what is bad. This helps maintain the reputation and virtue of the Sangha, so that people may trust and revere the monastics.