Xct Mu Bi Sk 58Na phuphukkāraka

Explanation of the Na Phuphukkāraka Discourse

Context

Na phuphukkāraka (नै फुप्पुक्कारक / နအ ဖုပ္ပုက္ကာရကာ) is a section within the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha Dharma. The Vinaya Pitaka is the collection that sets out the rules (sīla) for the community of monks and nuns, establishing the ethical and disciplinary foundation of Buddhist monastic life.

The title “Na phuphukkāraka” is translated as “those who do not produce flowers” or “those who are not specialists in petals,” referring to a group of people or a particular circumstance connected with rules of conduct. This section belongs to Xct Mu Bi Sk (Suttavibhaṅga Mahā Bhikkhunī Sutta, the detailed section of rules for nuns) number 58, where situations concerning the conduct of Buddhist women or nuns in a monastic setting are especially discussed.

The context in which this discourse appears is connected with events in the early history of the Sangha, when Śākyamuni Buddha was still alive and directly instructed his disciples in the ethical standards necessary to maintain purity and harmony in the community of practitioners.

Main Content

This section concerns principles of conduct that monastics, especially nuns, need to observe. “Not producing flowers” is understood as not engaging in worldly activities or material gain, not trading in flowers, not doing business, and not seeking profit through secular work. This is part of the Bodhisattva Śīla or rules for a simple life (vassalage).

The specific regulations may include prohibiting monks and nuns from participating in economic activities, trading goods, or using means to accumulate property. Instead, monastics are encouraged to rely on sincere offerings from the community of devotees (upāsakas and upāsikās), thereby freeing the mind from material bonds.