Ka Bu Pm Pc 48Hitting

Explanation of the Pahāra Sutta (The Sutta on Hitting)

Background

The Pahāra Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic rules that bhikkhus must observe. This sutta arose from events in the early Sangha community, when the Buddha was active in India.

The background of the sutta concerns the rough and undisciplined behavior of some bhikkhus. In the Buddha’s time, some who had gone forth did not observe basic conduct, and often clashed and quarreled with others in the community. Acts such as hitting or bodily assault were regarded as violations of the path and as destroying harmony in the Sangha. Therefore, the Buddha skillfully prescribed clear rules in order to instruct and protect the spirit of practice in the Sangha community.

Main Content

The Pahāra Sutta prescribes that the act of hitting (pahāra) by a bhikkhu against another bhikkhu or any person is considered a serious violation in the Vinaya Piṭaka. Specifically, the use of force, whether light or heavy, with the intention to harm or humiliate is absolutely forbidden.

The sutta clearly identifies situations of violation: when a bhikkhu feels frustrated, angry, or resentful toward another bhikkhu and decides to attack with hand, foot, or any object, that act violates the spirit of the precepts (sīla). The Vinaya Piṭaka is not concerned only with physical wounds, but also forbids actions that injure honor and create conflict in the Sangha.

The basic principle of Pahāra is ahiṁsā, non-harming, the mind free from violence. A bhikkhu must nurture loving-kindness (mettā) and give rise to patience (khantī) rather than reacting aggressively. The sutta emphasizes that the body, speech, and mind of a bhikkhu must always be directed toward the Dharma and liberation, not become tools of anger or pride.