Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 46Intentionally Killing Living Creatures

EXPLANATION OF THE SAÑCICCA DISCOURSE

Prohibition Against Killing Living Beings

Background

The Sañcicca discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically to the Pātimokkha, the list of basic prohibitions that Buddhist monastics must observe. This discourse records one of the earliest and weightiest prohibitions among the rules for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs.

Sañcicca means “intentionally” or “deliberately.” This is very important because the Buddha’s Dharma does not look only at outward action, but also examines the mind of the one who performs the action. This discourse is placed first among the prohibitions because it concerns the most basic ethical principle: not harming living beings.

Main Content

According to the Theravāda tradition, intentionally (sañcicca) killing a living being (pāṇa) is regarded as a pārājika offense, that is, one of the gravest offenses, leading to expulsion from the Sangha if committed by a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī.

For an act to be considered a violation of this prohibition, three factors are required:

First, the object must be a living being (pāṇa), capable of life and capable of being killed. This includes all living animals, from human beings to the smallest living creatures.

Second, there must be intentional intention (sañcicca), that is, the person clearly understands that it is a living being and deliberately kills it. If a being is killed accidentally or without knowing that it is alive, the degree of offense is lighter.

Third, there must be an act or the use of a means to cause death. Whether direct or indirect, if the monastic intentionally causes the death of that being, the condition is fulfilled.

The discourse emphasizes that this act directly contradicts the bodhisattva vow and the Buddha’s teachings on loving-kindness (mettā) and non-harming (ahiṁsā).