Xct Mu Bu Pm Sk 57Na phuphukkāraka
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na phuphukkāraka
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EXPLANATION OF THE NA PHUPHUKKĀRAKA SUTTA
Background
The Na phuphukkāraka Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, where the Buddha and his disciples established rules for the life of practice. The title “Na phuphukkāraka” (Na-phuphukkaraka) means “not those of merit,” designating a particular kind of follower or situation within the monastic community.
The background of this sutta arises from practical issues the Buddha encountered in guiding the monastic community. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a code of punishment but also profound guidance on the spirit of practice. The prohibitions (Pātimokkha) were established on the basis of specific situations, reflecting the Buddha’s wisdom in educating the monastic body.
Those who are “not of merit” in the Vinaya sense may refer to people who have not yet developed sufficiently in spiritual life, do not yet have a firm ethical foundation, or are still influenced by negative tendencies (āsava). This is a classification that helps the Buddha and the elder monks understand the level of practice of each individual.
Main Content
Although the descriptive information does not provide the full details of this sutta, based on the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Na phuphukkāraka Sutta revolves around principles for distinguishing among monastics according to wisdom, virtue, and progress on the path of practice.
In the Theravāda tradition, the concept of “merit” (sampatti) is connected with five aspects of spiritual accomplishment: faith (saddhā), health, a proper way of living, honesty, and effort. Those “not of merit” are those who have not fully developed one or more of these factors.
The sutta indicates that not all who go forth are ready or able to practice fully. Some people may have impure motives, or be governed by desires, fears, and spiritual fetters (saṃyojana). The Buddha, with immeasurable compassion (karuṇā), still accepted such people into the community, hoping that they would gradually develop the essential qualities through living together with noble ones.
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