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The Monks’ Rules and Their Analysis

Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga

The Bhikkhu-vibhaṅga or Mahā-vibhaṅga (“the analysis of the monks’ rules” or “the great analysis”), or simply the Vibhaṅga for short, contains the Monastic Code for monks, the Bhikkhu-pātimokkha, embedded in explanatory material. The Vibhaṅga is divided into eight chapters, each dealing with a separate class of rules, grouped according to the offense incurred in breaking them, with the exception of the aniyatas (“the undetermined”) and the adhikaraṇasamathadhamma (“the principles for resolving legal issues”), which are principles to be applied rather than rules in the strict sense. Each rule together with its explanatory material forms an independent unit, a sub-chapter. These units begin with one or more origin stories, which tell the circumstances that led the Buddha to lay down a particular rule. The rule is then stated, followed by a word commentary that analyzes every significant word contained in the rule. After the word commentary follows a permutation series in which a variety of different scenarios are evaluated and offenses assigned as appropriate. At the end comes a non-offense clause, stating important exceptions to the rule, sometimes followed by individual case studies, in which the Buddha decides the offense incurred in ambiguous cases.

Expulsion

Pārājika

The rules in this category are known in Pali as pārājika. The exact meaning of the Pali word is disputed, but there is no doubt that it refers to expulsion from the Sangha. There are four such rules for the monks, all of which are shared with the nuns. Anyone who breaches any of these rules immediately loses his status as a monk. He is expelled from the Sangha and ineligible for re-ordination for the rest of his life. The pārājikas, together with the next category of rules, the saṅghādisesas, are collectively known as serious offenses, garukāpatti. These rules are the most fundamental ones for the proper living of the monastic life.

  • Bu Pj 1 1. The training rule on sexual intercourseMethunadhamma

    A monk who has sexual intercourse is expelled. The introduction to the rule tells the background story to the laying down of the monastic law. The main principle applied by the Buddha was to lay down rules and procedures only when required by circumstances.

  • Bu Pj 2 2. The training rule on stealingAdinnādāna

    A monk who steals anything of value is expelled.

  • Bu Pj 3 3. The training rule on killing a human beingManussaviggaha

    A monk who kills a human being is expelled. The origin narrative to this rule includes an unusual and much debated story about a number of monks who meditate on the unattractiveness of the body. As a result they end up committing suicide and asking others to kill them. The Buddha then teaches the meditation on mindfulness of breathing.

  • Bu Pj 4 4. The training rule on falsely claiming a superhuman qualityUttarimanussadhamma

    A monk who falsely claims a profound spiritual attainment is expelled. In the origin story to this rule the Buddha declares that anyone who gets people to support him or her by lying about their spiritual attainments is the worst kind of thief.

Suspension

Saṅghādisesa

The rules in this category are known in Pali as saṅghādisesa. The meaning of the word is disputed, but according to the commentary it means that the Sangha is required at the beginning (ādi) and for the rest (sesa) of the procedure. There are thirteen such rules for the monks, seven of which are shared with the nuns. Offenders must undergo a period of probation before being rehabilitated to their former status in the Sangha.

  • Bu Ss 1 1. The training rule on masturbationSukkavisaṭṭhi

    A monk who intentionally ejaculates is to be suspended. The introductory narrative to this and the next four rules, as well as a number of other rules in the monastic code, feature the monk Udāyī, who had a serious problem with keeping his sexual urges in check. Either that or he is a literary stand-in for the real offenders.

  • Bu Ss 2 2. Physical contact with a womanKāyasaṁsagga

    A lustful monk who touches a woman is to be suspended.

  • Bu Ss 3 3. Indecent speechDuṭṭhullavācā

    A lustful monk who uses sexually explicit language when speaking to a woman is to be suspended.

  • Bu Ss 4 4. Encouraging a woman to satisfy one’s desiresAttakāmpāricariya

    A lustful monk who recommends to a woman that they have sexual intercourse is to be suspended.

  • Bu Ss 5 5. MatchmakingSañcaritta

    A monk who acts as a go-between for a relationship between a man and a woman is to be suspended.

  • Bu Ss 6 6. Building a hut inappropriatelyKuṭikāra

    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 Maṇikaṇṭha 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.

  • Bu Ss 7 7. Building a dwelling inappropriatelyVihārakāra

    A monk who builds a large dwelling without getting the site approved by the Order is to be suspended.

  • Bu Ss 8 8. Making a groundless accusation out of angerDuṭṭhadosa

    A monk who in anger falsely accuses another monk of an offense entailing expulsion is to be suspended. The background narrative to this rule features the extraordinary monk Dabba the Mallian who became an arahant at the age of seven.

  • Bu Ss 9 9. Making a groundless accusation out of anger, using a pretextAññabhāgiya

    A monk who in anger uses a ploy to falsely accuse another monk of an offense entailing expulsion is to be suspended.

  • Bu Ss 10 10. Causing a schism in the SanghaSaṅghabheda

    A monk who tries to cause a schism in the Order is to be suspended. The origin story to this rule gives an account of how Devadatta, the Buddha’s notorious cousin, tried to cause a schism in the Order.

  • Bu Ss 11 11. Siding with a schismaticBhedānuvattaka

    A monk who supports another monk who is trying to cause a schism in the Order is to be suspended.

  • Bu Ss 12 12. Being difficult to correctDubbaca

    A monk who refuses to be corrected about breaches of the monastic code is to be suspended. The narrative setting features the monk Channa who was particularly proud and difficult to deal with.

  • Bu Ss 13 13. Being a corrupter of familiesKuladūsaka

    A monk who causes the lay people in a certain place to lose confidence in the teachings of the Buddha should be banished from that place. If he refuses to accept the banishment, he is to be suspended. The introduction to this rule tells of the corrupt and merciless group of six monks, who were the offenders behind a large number of rules in the monastic code.

Undetermined

Aniyata

The rules in this category are known in Pali as aniyata, “undetermined”. There are two such rules for the monks, but none for the nuns. These are procedures to establish a course of action when a monk is accused of behaving in a sexually inappropriate way with a woman.

  • Bu Ay 1 1. Sitting with a woman in a concealed placePaṭhamaaniyata

    A female lay disciple may see a monk sitting in a secluded place with a woman. If she accuses him of an offense entailing expulsion, suspension, or confession, and he admits to the offense, then he incurs an offense accordingly.

  • Bu Ay 2 2. Sitting alone with a womanDutiyaaniyata

    A female lay disciple may see a monk sitting in private with a woman. If she accuses him of an offense entailing suspension or confession, and he admits to the offense, then he incurs an offense accordingly.

Relinquishment with Confession

Nissaggiya Pācittiya

The rules in this category are known in Pali as nissaggiya pācittiya, “entailing relinquishment and confession”. There are thirty such rules for the monks, the same number as for the nuns, although only eighteen are held in common. These rules, together with the remaining rules of the Monastic Code, are classed as light offenses, lahukāpatti. For light offenses there is usually no penalty apart from confession. For the nissaggiya pācittiyas, however, any item involved in the committing of an offense must be relinquished. Once the offense has been confessed, the item is, with a few exceptions, returned to the offender.

  • Bu NP 1 1. The training rule on keeping extra robe-cloth beyond ten daysKathina

    A monk who keeps extra robe-cloth for more than ten day must relinquish the robe-cloth and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 2 2. Staying apart from one’s robesUdosita

    A monk who stays apart from any of his three robes for more than one day must relinquish the robe and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 3 3. Keeping extra robe-cloth beyond a monthAkālacīvara

    A monk may keep extra robe-cloth for a month if he is expecting more. A monk who keeps it beyond that must relinquish the robe-cloth and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 4 4. Having a nun wash a used robePurāṇacīvara

    A monk who makes a nun wash or dye a used robe must relinquish the robe and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 5 5. Receiving a robe from a nunCīvarapaṭiggahana

    A monk who accepts robe-cloth from a nun must relinquish the robe-cloth and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 6 6. Asking an unrelated person for a robeAññātakaviññatti

    A monk who asks a lay person for robe-cloth, except if his robes are lost or destroyed, must relinquish the robe-cloth and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 7 7. Accepting too many robesTatuttari

    When a monk’s robes are lost or destroyed, he should show moderation in asking for robe-cloth. If he does not, he must relinquish the robe-cloth and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 8 8. Requesting a fine robe from a fundUpakkhata

    If a lay person wants to buy a robe for a monk, and the monk asks them for a fine robe, he must relinquish the robe and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 9 9. Requesting a fine robe from a combined fundDutiyaupakkhata

    If two separate lay people want to buy a robe for a monk, and the monk asks them to put their money together to buy him a fine robe, he must relinquish the robe and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 10 10. Excessive prompting to get a robeRāja

    When money to be used for a monk’s robe has been placed with a steward in the proper way, that monk may hint to the steward that he needs a robe. If he does not get a robe in this way, but he does get one by acting inappropriately, he must relinquish the robe and confess the offense. This rule also prescribes the procedure through which a lay follower comes to hold money on behalf of a donor who wishes to support a monk.

  • Bu NP 11 11. Making a blanket with silkKosiya

    A monk who makes a blanket containing silk must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 12 12. Making a blanket entirely of black woolSuddhakāla

    A monk who makes a blanket entirely of black wool must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 13 13. Making a new blanket with too much black woolDvebhāga

    A monk who makes a blanket that contains more than fifty percent black wool must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 14 14. Keeping a new blanket less than six yearsChabbassa

    A monk who makes a blanket must wait for six years before making another. If he does not, he must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 15 15. Making an inappropriate sitting blanketNisīdanasanthata

    A monk who makes a sitting-mat without including a piece from an old blanket must relinquish it and confess the offense. This rule starts with a narrative that includes several important principles of monastic law.

  • Bu NP 16 16. Carrying wool too farEḷakaloma

    A monk who carries wool on a long journey must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 17 17. Getting a nun to wash woolEḷakalomadhovāpana

    A monk who makes a nun wash, dye, or comb unspun wool must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 18 18. Becoming the owner of moneyRūpiya

    A monk who receives money must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 19 19. Trading with moneyRūpiyasaṁvohāra

    A monk who receives money through trading must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 20 20. BarteringKayavikkaya

    A monk who barters, except with fellow monastics, must relinquish the item received and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 21 21. Keeping an extra almsbowl beyond ten daysPatta

    A monk who keeps an extra bowl for more than ten days must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 22 22. Exchanging an almsbowl with fewer than five mendsŪnapañcabandhana

    A monk who asks for a new bowl when his existing bowl is still useable must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 23 23. Storing the five tonics too longBhesajja

    A monk who keeps tonics for more than seven days must relinquish them and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 24 24. Making a rainy-season robe at the wrong timeVassikasāṭika

    A monk who seeks or uses a rainy-season robe inappropriately must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 25 25. Taking back robe-cloth in angerCīvaraacchindana

    A monk who gives robe-cloth to another monk, but then takes it back in anger, must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 26 26. Asking for threadSuttaviññatti

    A monk who asks for thread and then has robe-cloth woven with it must relinquish the robe-cloth and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 27 27. Bribing weaversMahāpesakāra

    If a lay person is having robe-cloth woven for a monk and that monk makes demands of the weavers, then he must relinquish the robe-cloth and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 28 28. Storing haste-cloth too longAccekacīvara

    A monk who stores “an urgent robe” beyond the acceptable time limit must relinquish it and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 29 29. Storing a robe for more than six days in an inhabited areaSāsaṅka

    A monk who stores any of his three robes in an inhabited area for more than six days must relinquish the robe and confess the offense.

  • Bu NP 30 30. Diverting an offering intended for the SanghaPariṇata

    A monk who diverts to himself an offering intended for the Order must relinquish the item and confess the offense.

Confession

Pācittiya

The rules in this category are known in Pali as pācittiya, “entailing confession”. There are ninety-two such rules for the monks, seventy of which are shared with the nuns. This is the largest class of rules in the Monastic Code. These rules, together with all the other rules apart from those entailing expulsion and suspension, are classed as light offenses, lahukāpatti. For light offenses there is no penalty apart from confession.

Acknowledgment

Pāṭidesanīya

The rules in this category are known in Pali as pāṭidesanīya, “entailing acknowledgement”. There are four such rules for the monks, none of which are shared with the nuns. What distinguishes these rules from the pācittiyas is the manner of confession. For these rules the confession is done using a unique formula, with the second rule being the only one in the Monastic Code where all the offenders confess together as a group.

Rules of Training

Sekhiya

The rules in this category are known in Pali as sekhiya, “involving training”. There are seventy-five such rules, and they are the same both for the monks and the nuns. The sekhiyas are mostly rules of etiquette. Breaking a sekhiya is only considered to be a transgression if the offender is acting out of disrespect for the rule.

The Settling of Legal Issues

Adhikaraṇasamatha

There are seven adhikaraṇasamathadhamma, “principles for the settling of legal issues”, which are the same for the nuns and the monks. These are not rules in the ordinary sense and as such fall outside of the classification into serious and light offenses. Instead, they set out the proper methods for dealing with legal issues. The detailed explanation for these is found in the Samathakkhandhaka. The legal issues to be settled through these principles fall into four categories: disputes, accusations, offenses, and proceedings. “Proceedings” includes monastic procedures such as ordination and the keeping of the observance day (uposatha).