Bu Ss 66. Building a hut inappropriately
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kuṭikāra
When a monk builds a hut by means of begging, he must get the Order to approve the site and the hut must not exceed the maximum size limit. A monk who breaches either of these conditions is to be suspended. The origin story to this rule includes the <i lang='pi' translate='no'>Maṇikaṇṭha</i> Jātaka tale, found in a slightly different form in the Jātaka collection. There is also another edifying tale and an apparent reference to Raṭṭhapāla of the Raṭṭhapāla Sutta, MN82.
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Kuṭikāra Sutta: The Vinaya on Building a Monastery Cell in Accordance with the Dhamma
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism, the regulations concerning the construction of monastery cells are not minor, incidental stipulations. They reflect the profound spirit of Buddhist practice: humility, communal harmony, and the avoidance of unnecessary burdens upon those who make offerings. The Kuṭikāra Sutta (kuṭi meaning a hut or cell, kāra meaning the act of building) sets forth the conditions that a bhikkhu must fulfill when wishing to construct his own dwelling.
The origin story of this regulation is connected to the Maṇikaṇṭha Jātaka, a narrative concerning the Buddha in a former life. That story serves as a warning regarding the consequences of greed and of exceeding one's proper limits. This regulation also relates to the Raṭṭhapāla Sutta (Majjhima Nikāya 82), which recounts the story of a prince who renounces his palace to study the Buddha's teaching, expressing a spirit of detachment from all that is worldly and elaborate.
Main Content
The Kuṭikāra Sutta stipulates that when a bhikkhu decides to build a monastery cell, he must observe two essential conditions. First, the bhikkhu must request the approval of the Sangha for the chosen building site. This is not a mere formality but a recognition by the monastic community, ensuring that the location does not infringe upon the rights of others and is in keeping with the spirit of communal practice.
Second, the cell must not exceed the maximum dimensions prescribed. These limits—ordinarily specified lengths and widths in ancient Indian units of measurement—are intended to prevent greed and individualism from taking root within the monastic community. A large and luxurious cell not only reflects a mind given to greed but may also give rise to division and envy among the bhikkhus.
Any bhikkhu who violates either of these two conditions must undergo the penalty of Parivāsa (suspension), a severe form of discipline within the Sangha.
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