Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Sk 1Evenly All Around

Parimaṇḍala Sutta (Complete All Around)

Background

The Parimaṇḍala Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the rules governing the community of monks and nuns. This Vinaya records in detail the teachings of Buddha Śākyamuni intended to maintain discipline, harmony, and spiritual progress in the Sangha. The title “Parimaṇḍala” (complete all around) indicates a comprehensive principle, a quality that must be present evenly in every activity of practice and communal life.

The rules laid down in this Piṭaka are not arbitrary prohibitions, but well-grounded instructions based on the Buddha’s observation and his profound understanding of human psychology. Each rule was established for a specific cause, often because of a wrong action by a certain monk that the Buddha discovered, after which he set down a rule to prevent it in the future. Thus, the Vinaya Piṭaka is a record of practical lessons on the path of practice.

Main Content

The Parimaṇḍala Sutta interprets the principle that each member of the Sangha must cultivate completeness (parimanda) in three domains: body, speech, and mind. This does not apply only during meditation practice, but extends through every moment of daily life, from wearing robes and eating and drinking to conduct toward fellow practitioners.

The body must be governed properly: actions should be graceful, not restless or showy. Speech should be cultivated so that it is always gentle, truthful, and not careless. The mind, or thought, must be guarded so as to avoid greed, anger, and delusion.

The important aspect of the discourse is its “all-around” quality, from “pari” (around) and “maṇḍala” (circle). This implies that practice cannot have a “blank patch” or any neglected corner. In other words, a monk or nun cannot claim to preserve morality in one part while neglecting another. The whole personality and all actions must be directed toward the Dharma.