Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 34Staying With an Army
Pāli / Sanskrit:Senāvāsa
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SUTRA ON STAYING WITH AN ARMY
Senāvāsa — A Monastic Rule
Background
The Senāvāsa Sutra, “Staying with an Army,” belongs to the Pātimokkha, the fundamental code of the Buddhist Sangha in the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Pācittiya section, offenses requiring confession and repentance. These detailed rules are intended to protect the moral quality of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs and to maintain the purity of the Sangha.
The historical background of this rule comes from the time when the Buddha was still alive. At that time, India was a land of many conflicts among kingdoms, and armies frequently went to war. Some bhikkhus, because of curiosity, carelessness, or other causes, followed armies in order to see battle take place. This conduct produced negative consequences: the reputation of the Sangha was damaged, people doubted the true compassion of the bhikkhus, and many dangers to life could occur.
Main Content
This rule prescribes that a bhikkhu should not stay with an army that is training or marching. If a bhikkhu knows that the army is about to set out and still deliberately remains, or intentionally follows the army in order to watch fighting, he has violated a Pācittiya. This is not the gravest offense, such as Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa, but it is a shameful offense that must be confessed before the whole Sangha.
The rule also includes related cases: if a bhikkhu watches the army from afar, or stays where the army is encamped with the intention of watching battle, these are considered violations. However, if a bhikkhu happens upon an army by accident and merely passes by without intending to stay or observe, there is no offense.
This Pācittiya reflects a basic principle in Buddhism: a bhikkhu must avoid violent activities, degrading sights, and environments that can diminish the mind of practice.
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