Suttavibhanga

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The Suttavibhanga ( Pali- vibhaṅga , statement of the rules ) is the first book of the Vinaya Pitaka of Theravada . It is a commentary on the rules of community ( patimokkha ). Each rule is accompanied by a narration explaining why the Buddha set it up, followed by explanations. It also contains narratives that are considered "legal precedents".

The Suttavibhanga is divided into two parts: the Mahā Vibhanga contains the monastic rules for the monks , the Bikkhunī Vibhanga the monastic rules for the nuns .

Mahā Vibhanga

  • Pārājikā-dhammā , 4 rules the non-observance of which "brings down". According to traditional understanding, the rule breaker can never become a monk again in his life, although in most cases he can still remain a novice.
    • Celibacy - The introductory narrative contains a section in which Sariputta asks the Buddha which teachings of the earlier Buddhas have long been preserved and why. The Buddha replied that those Buddhas who taught knowledge and moral discipline remained the longest lasting. The rule allows a monk to leave the order and return to the laity. If he then “breaks” the rule it has no effect and he can later ordain again.
    • Abstention from stealing - In connection with this rule, the story of some monks is told who freed captured animals from the traps of the hunters. The Buddha found her not guilty.
    • Abstaining from killing people
    • Refrain from lying or having unrealistic views about one's own spiritual achievements
  • Sanghādisesā-dhammā , 13 rules on offenses to be deliberated at a meeting of the religious chapter. The rule breaker is given a probationary period that lasts as long as the time between the rule break and the admission. This is followed by a five-day manatta. Now the monk can be rehabilitated, but only if at least 20 monks agree.
  • Aniyatā-dhammā , 2 rules for incidents that fall into several categories
  • Nissaggiyā pācittiyā-dhammā , 30 rules the non-observance of which requires atonement and the surrender of property wrongly obtained or withheld.
  • Pācittiyā-dhammā , 92 rules whose non-observance requires atonement. The seventh section of the Pācittiyā-dhammā contains ten regulations for dealing with animals, which among other things prohibit the killing of animals . The second section contains rules for treating plants with respect.
  • Pāṭidesanīya-dhammā , 4 rules the non-observance of which "should be confessed in a certain way"
  • Sekhiya-dhammā , 75 rules "in which one should be trained"
  • Adhikaraṇasamatha-dhammā , 7 rules for settling disputes

Bikkhunī Vibhanga

Since many of the rules for the monks also apply to the nuns, they are not generally repeated in the Suttavibhanga. This is why the rules for the nuns sections sometimes contain fewer rules than indicated at the beginning or the end of the section.

  • Pārājika-dhammā , 4 out of 8 rules whose non-observance "brings down".
  • Saṅghādisesa-dhammā , 10 of 17 rules whose non-observance must be discussed at a meeting of the religious chapter.
  • Nissaggiya Pācittiya-dhammā , 12 of 30 rules whose non-observance requires atonement and the surrender of unlawfully obtained or withheld property.
  • Pācittiya-dhammā , 96 of 166 rules whose non-observance requires atonement.
  • Pāṭidesanīya-dhammā , 8 rules the non-observance of which "should be confessed in a certain way"
  • Sekhiya-dhammā , 75 rules "in which one should be trained"
  • Adhikaraṇasamatha-dhammā , 7 rules for settling disputes

See also

literature

  • Horner, IB (1970). The book of discipline Vol. I (Suttavibhaṅga), London Luzac, reprint.
  • Horner, IB (1957). The book of discipline Vol. II (Suttavibhaṅga), London Luzac.
  • Horner, IB (1957). The book of discipline Vol. III (Suttavibhaṅga), London Luzac.

Web links