Xct Mu Bi Pc 121Nakedness
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nagga
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
NAGGA DISCOURSE (NAGGA SUTTA) - EXPLANATION
Background
The code of discipline (Vinaya Piṭaka) is the collection of disciplinary regulations of the Theravāda Buddhist Sangha, recorded to protect the ascetic life and maintain harmony in the community of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The Nakedness Discourse (Nagga Sutta) appears in the code with the purpose of instructing monastics in pure conduct, especially concerning clothing, bodily posture, and respect in practice.
The Buddha once taught that a monastic should not leave the body naked or dress improperly in public places. This concerns not only social rules, but also reflects a basic Buddhist principle: respect for oneself, respect for others, and the maintenance of purity in action.
Main Content
The Nakedness Discourse concerns the way bhikkhus should cover the body appropriately. According to the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, bhikkhus who are naked or improperly clothed in public are regarded as violating the rule of dignity (sīla). The Buddha did not permit his disciples to live like the immature or according to the naked style of other devotees of that time.
The content of the discourse reminds us that appropriate clothing is an expression of self-respect and respect for the dignity of a monastic. When bhikkhus dress purely and cover the body properly, they show their commitment to the Dharma, avoid negative interpretations by the lay community, and maintain modesty in practice.
This rule is not among the most severe prohibitions of the Vinaya Piṭaka, but it expresses an important principle: awareness of purity begins with the outermost action. When a practitioner is self-aware in clothing and posture, this reflects a mind that is governed and mindful.
Practical Meaning
For modern monastics, the Nakedness Discourse teaches us that purity and dignity begin with caring for the body mindfully.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.