San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Sk 53Na hastasaṁlagnikaya pravekṣyāma

Explanation of the Na Hastasaṁlagnikaya Pravekṣyāma Sutta

Background

The Na Hastasaṁlagnikaya Pravekṣyāma Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, expressing detailed regulations on the discipline of the Saṅgha. The Vinaya Piṭaka is among the oldest collections, compiled not long after the Buddha entered nirvana, recording the basic commands that the Buddha taught to bhikkhus and bhikkhunis in order to maintain custom, purity, and harmony in the Sangha.

The title "Na hastasaṁlagnikaya pravekṣyāma" is translated as "One should not join with those whose hands cling" or, in the context of the Vinaya, refers to inappropriate conduct involving physical contact. This is one of the specific rules on ethical character (sīla) and discipline of bodily, verbal, and mental action in the Sangha.

The background of this sutta often concerns situations of conflict or impropriety in relationships among members of the Sangha, where the Buddha had to set clear rules to protect purity and concentration in practice.

Main Content

The sutta clearly states that bhikkhus and bhikkhunis should not engage in acts of intimate or inappropriate bodily contact. Specifically, this rule forbids actions such as holding hands, embracing, or any bodily contact of a delicate nature or likely to cause misunderstanding.

The deep reason behind this rule lies in three aspects: first, protecting the honor and reputation of the Sangha before society; second, preventing actions that may lead to the breaking of the holy life (Brahmacharyya), the foundation of the life of practice; third, minimizing opportunities for the mind to become entangled in sensual desire and aversion.

The sutta makes clear that practitioners must always be alert to these forms of contact, regardless of whether the intention seems upright. The basic principle is to avoid opportunities that defile the mind and avoid creating suspicion or harmful talk in the community.