Lzh Dg Bu Pm Pc 54Disrespect

The Anādariya Sutta - On Disrespect

Background

In the Theravāda Vinaya tradition, the Anādariya Sutta (Disrespect) is one of the detailed rules intended to protect the righteousness of the Sangha. This discourse is recorded in the Pātimokkha section, the basic ethical code that every bhikkhu must observe.

According to the Early Buddhist tradition, the Buddha did not teach only wisdom and mind, but also paid attention to building a strong Sangha community. Anādariya, lack of respect or disrespect, is regarded as one of the spiritual illnesses capable of undermining the foundation of both individual and collective virtue. It is the attitude of despising the Buddhadharma, not revering the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), or neglecting the duties of practice.

Main Content

The Anādariya Sutta in the Vinaya Piṭaka focuses on analyzing forms of disrespect into which a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī may fall. Specifically, this is a way of life in which a renunciant does not respect the Buddhadharma, does not respect venerable teachers, and does not respect virtuous conduct and the rules of realization.

Anādariya manifests in many forms: despising the Buddha’s teaching, not listening to the advice of noble and virtuous people (mahattā), deliberately violating the Pātimokkha rules, or living loosely, without dedication to meditation and study of the Dharma. In particular, disrespect may appear as conceit, thinking that one does not need to study, or neglecting diligent practice.

The Vinaya Piṭaka emphasizes that not every disrespectful action is a Pātimokkha offense, the gravest kind of offense, but they are warning signs of the decline of the aspiration for the path. A bhikkhu with an attitude of disrespect will gradually become negligent in practice and may eventually commit greater offenses. Therefore, this discourse is regarded as a preventive lesson, helping renunciants recognize latent dangers in the mind.