Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 127Not Guiding Disciple After Ordination
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sahajīvinī-ananuggahaṇa
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Exposition of the Sutta: Not Guiding a Disciple After Going Forth
Background
This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Pātimokkha section, the disciplinary rules, and it expresses the spirit of governance within the monastic community of Theravāda Buddhism. The Vinaya is not merely a set of mechanical rules, but an expression of wisdom and compassion in the process of collective practice.
The issue raised in this sutta concerns the responsibility of teachers, preceptors (upajjhāya), or experienced bhikkhus toward those who have just gone forth. In the Theravāda tradition, going forth is not merely a formal ceremony, but entry into an entirely new life, requiring careful and wholehearted guidance from those who have gone before.
Main Content
The sutta sets forth the principle that a bhikkhu, after allowing someone to go forth as a new member of the Sangha, has the responsibility to continue guiding, instructing, and caring for that person until they are able to stand independently in the practice. Neglecting this work, and failing to provide the necessary guidance in discipline (sīla), concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā), is considered a violation of the rule.
Specifically, "not guiding a disciple after going forth" (sahajīvinī-ananuggahaṇa) refers to the situation in which a preceptor or responsible instructor abandons the disciple, showing no concern for their progress in study, practice, and moral character. This is not a minor matter, but is directly related to the quality of collective practice and the durability of the Dharma.
The Vinaya emphasizes that the guide must fulfill five important duties: teaching the learner to observe the prohibitions, teaching them to study the suttas, guiding them in meditation practice, instructing them in knowledge of the Buddha-Dharma, and caring for their physical and mental health.
Practical Meaning
This sutta reflects a profound principle: going forth is a spiritual decision that cannot be wholly independent.
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