Toh 1-15Chapter 15: On Shelter
Pāli / Sanskrit:Śayanāsanavastu
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Sutra on Dwelling Places (Śayanāsanavastu)
Context
The Sutra on Dwelling Places is an important chapter in the Northern Canon, belonging to the Kangyur, the collection of sutras translated into Tibetan from the eighth century onward. This chapter is among the foundational teachings on Buddhist practice, guiding Buddhists in arranging daily life according to the principles of renunciation and cultivation.
In the Northern Mahāyāna tradition, “dwelling place” (Śayanāsana, meaning bed, seat, or place of residence) refers not only to material objects, but also symbolizes contemplation of the temporary and impermanent character of the world. For this reason, the Buddha gave particular instruction on how to use these things with right concentration, without attachment, and without giving rise to craving.
Main Content
This chapter teaches that a renunciant or a bodhisattva should not pay excessive attention to the comfort, decoration, or quality of their dwelling place and personal belongings. Instead, the use of these things must be grounded in mindfulness (smṛti, Pāli: sati) and clear comprehension (samprajñāna, Pāli: sampajañña).
The Buddha emphasizes that the choice of dwelling place, bed, and seat should follow five principles: (1) it should not be too remote or difficult to reach; (2) it should not be noisy or distracting; (3) it should not be too cramped; (4) it should be well ventilated in order to prevent illness; (5) it should not give rise to ambition or craving. In particular, a practitioner should choose places conducive to contemplation (dhyāna), avoiding conditions that stimulate unwholesome habits.
The sutra also instructs how to use possessions with mindfulness of the “four rescues” (catvāri āpāyikāni, the four unsuitable things): one should always remember that these things are only for sustaining the body in service of practice, not for venerating them or accepting them as one’s own. This is a teaching on “rejecting attachment” (vivikta, solitary, set apart).
Practical Meaning
In the context of modern practice, this chapter teaches us how to live simply and mindfully.
🌏 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.