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Explanation of the Na Kholaśirase Sutta

Background

The Na Kholaśirase Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, recorded in the Pāli Canon. This sutta lies among the regulations on discipline and virtue for those gone forth, especially concerning the behavior, speech, and awareness of monastics in daily life.

The Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection that maintains and guides the community of monks and nuns in a cooperative and pure way of living. Each rule was established by the Buddha with a clear purpose: to help monks and nuns practice, avoid suffering caused by mistaken conduct, and protect the integrity of the Buddhist community. The Na Kholaśirase Sutta continues this tradition, guiding monastics on how to conduct themselves in specific situations.

Main Content

This sutta concerns regulations on the use and care of daily items in the monastery, as well as the attitude toward common and personal property. The title “Na Kholaśirase,” connected with cutting or cutting short, reflects specific situations in which monks and nuns handle property and requisites.

The Buddha emphasized that those gone forth should not be greedy or careless with the property of monks and nuns. Every item, from robes and blankets to daily tools, has a specific function in the process of practice. Accountability regarding property, fairness in distribution, and respect for common objects are key points.

The sutta also regulates actions that are not permitted, such as cutting, biting, or damaging the belongings of monks and nuns without a legitimate reason. These actions violate the spirit of the Vinaya because they reflect greed, impatience, or lack of care. This is not only a material matter but also a matter of spiritual ethics.

Practical Meaning

The Na Kholaśirase Sutta teaches us that practice does not stop at meditation or study of the Dharma, but also includes the way we use property and care for the objects around us.