Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 83Departing Without Taking Leave

The Sutta on Leaving Without Asking Permission (Anāpucchāpakkamana)

Background

This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Pātimokkha, the basic code of the Buddhist Sangha. Anāpucchāpakkamana refers to a disciplinary rule concerning members of the Sangha leaving a residence or monastery without informing or asking permission from the Sangha or their guides. This is not a sermon, but a legal rule (khandhaka) mentioned in the Pātimokkha with the purpose of maintaining order, responsibility, and cohesion in the monastic community.

The basis of this rule came from practical need: when bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs left without anyone knowing, this could cause anxiety, disorder in management, and affect trust within the community. The Buddha laid down these rules to protect the spirit of discipline and mutual respect among members of the Sangha.

Main Content

The rule of Anāpucchāpakkamana states that members of the Sangha should not leave a monastery or residence without asking permission or informing those concerned, especially their guides or senior bhikkhus. “Not asking permission” (anāpucchā) here is not only an impolite act, but also a violation of a basic principle of the Sangha: honesty, transparency, and respect for the structure of the community.

According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, if a bhikkhu leaves without informing anyone, he violates a rule depending on the specific circumstances, perhaps a Pācittiya if it is a minor offense, or another degree of offense. The important point is to emphasize each individual’s responsibility toward the community and mutual dependence in the process of practice.

This rule also reflects the broader philosophy of early Buddhism concerning life in the Sangha: not in order to be controlled, but to nourish mutual support, carefulness, and attention to the needs of others.