Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 178Paribbājikā-ummaddāpana

Commentary on the Sutra Paribbājikā-ummaddāpana

Background

Paribbājikā-ummaddāpana is a prohibition (Pācittiya) in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, recorded in the Bhikkhunī-pātimokkha, the disciplinary code for female monastics. This prohibition concerns bhikkhunīs’ contact with lay women who have not gone forth, or with paribbājikās, female wanderers of other traditions or independent female ascetics not belonging to the regular Sangha community.

The sutra was recorded in the context of the formation of the bhikkhunī discipline in the Buddha’s time. These regulations were intended to protect the integrity of the community of female monastics and to prevent actions that could cause disturbance, harm to reputation, or loss of concentration in practice among bhikkhunīs.

Main Content

Paribbājikā-ummaddāpana forbids bhikkhunīs from “injuring” (ummaddāpana) women who are not bhikkhunīs. The act of “injuring” here does not refer only to physical harm, but also includes conduct that may cause loss of face, insult, or enmity toward women outside the regular monastic community.

Forbidden actions include seeking pretexts to criticize, breaking one’s word, or acting insultingly toward these women. In particular, a bhikkhunī must not maliciously exploit her religious position to impose power or harm another person’s honor.

This reflects a basic principle in Buddhist discipline: monastics must cultivate compassion and respect all living beings. Deliberately harming anyone, whether monastic or not, violates the basic spirit of loving-kindness (mettā).

Practical Meaning

The deeper meaning of Paribbājikā-ummaddāpana lies in reminding bhikkhunīs that their words and actions reflect their mind of practice. A monastic cannot separate the life of practice from relationships with the social community.