Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 171Lodgings

The Sutta on Lodgings (Āvasathavihāra)

Background

The Āvasathavihāra Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the Pātimokkha for female monastics. It is one of the regulations concerning the communal life of the women’s Sangha, reflecting the Buddha’s concern for maintaining the precepts and order within the monastic community.

The regulations concerning lodgings (āvasatha: residence, place of living; vihāra: monastery) arose from specific cases in which bhikkhunīs behaved improperly or unsuitably in their use of shared spaces. Rather than issuing rules arbitrarily, the Buddha allowed the Sangha to discuss and adopt such regulations through communal harmony, in order to protect discipline and mutual respect.

Main Content

The text lays down rules for the management and use of lodgings in the monastery. Specifically, the rule concerns the need for bhikkhunīs to observe certain conditions when using shared spaces, including communal rooms, storerooms, or places set aside for Sangha activities.

The specific content of this text has not yet been fully translated in this material, but according to the general context of the Vinaya rules, it may concern the following:

First, the use of lodgings must conform to the common decision of the Sangha. One must not occupy or alter a space on one’s own initiative without the community’s approval.

Second, a bhikkhunī must maintain cleanliness, order, and respect for others who are using the same space. This includes not making noise, not leaving things dirty, and not obstructing the practice of others.

Third, there are certain restrictions on a bhikkhunī’s staying in lodgings, especially rules concerning privacy and the avoidance of situations that could create opportunities for improper conduct or raise suspicion among outsiders regarding the discipline of the Sangha.