Xct Mu Bu Pm Sk 85Nokkhittakāyassa

Explanation of the Nokkhittakāyassa Sutta

Background

Nokkhittakāyassa is a text belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, recorded in the Pāli Canon. This sutta lies within the detailed discipline of the Pātimokkhasaṃvara, the rules of life that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe in the Sangha community.

The background of the formation of this sutta arises from specific situations the Buddha encountered while teaching his disciples. The Vinaya Piṭaka was formed according to the principle that its regulations are not arbitrary, but purposeful guidance for noble practice. Each rule was established after an event occurred, with the purpose of protecting integrity, preserving the harmony of the Sangha, and helping bhikkhus progress on the path of liberation.

Nokkhittakāyassa concerns the scope of bodily action in the life of practice. The word “nokkhitta” means not designated, not entrusted; “kāya” means body. Therefore, this sutta discusses bodily actions that are not permitted, or situations related to using the body in ways not appropriate to the monastic path.

Main Content

In the context of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, the Nokkhittakāyassa Sutta concerns regulations on the bodily conduct of bhikkhus. Specifically, this sutta refers to cases in which a bhikkhu is not permitted to perform bodily actions arbitrarily or without the guidance of the Sangha.

Actions in this sphere may include using the body to perform work inappropriate to the status of one who has gone forth, participating in unwholesome worldly activities, or ways of bodily conduct not in keeping with the nature of the life of practice in the Sangha.

This rule was established so that bhikkhus would clearly understand that, once gone forth, the body is no longer personal property but an instrument of the Dharma and of practice. Every bodily action must be carefully considered, in accordance with the eightfold concern for morality (sīla) and renunciation (nekkhamma).