Xct Mu Bu Vb Sk 4Na hastiśuṇḍaṁ
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na hastiśuṇḍaṁ
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Scripture Commentary on Na Hastiśuṇḍaṁ
Context
The Na Hastiśuṇḍaṁ text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Mahāvagga or Bhikkhunivibhaṅga, where offenses and situations related to the discipline of monks and nuns are regulated. The title “Na Hastiśuṇḍaṁ” means “Not an elephant’s trunk,” an analogy or specific situation used by the Buddha to guide monks and nuns in ethics.
In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as the sacred foundation of the Sangha, where each rule (Pāṭimokkha) that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe is recorded in detail. The texts in the Vinaya Piṭaka are not merely prohibitions or mechanical rules, but contain profound practical situations and the reasons the Buddha laid down the precepts.
Main Content
The specific content of the Na Hastiśuṇḍaṁ text concerns humorous or awkward situations that bhikkhunīs may encounter, often related to actions that could be misunderstood or to improper conduct. This sequence of texts is used to illustrate that not every strange behavior is a disciplinary offense; rather, context, intention (cetana), and the capacity for self-restraint must be considered.
According to the Pali Canon tradition, an action constitutes an offense (āpatti) only when three factors are present: a definite object, purposeful intention, and completion of the action. This text teaches that certain actions, though they may appear odd or inappropriate, do not reach the level of an offense if there is no wrongful intention or if the action is not completed.
The phrase “Na Hastiśuṇḍaṁ” is used as an analogy to indicate something that is not what it appears to be, or to show that outward appearance does not always reflect actual nature. This accords with the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, in which ethics are based on awareness, not merely on outward form.
🌏 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.