Lzh Mg Bi Pm Sk 10Evenly All Around

Parimaṇḍala Sutta (Parimaṇḍalasuttaṁ)

Context

The Parimaṇḍala Sutta belongs to the Vinayapiṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhadhamma, which records the rules of discipline within the Sangha. This Vinaya is not merely a collection of prohibitions, but a set of detailed guidelines that help bhikkhus and bhikkhunis cultivate discipline, protect the spirit of the Sangha, and preserve the nature of the Buddhadhamma.

The word Parimaṇḍala (Pāli: Parimaṇḍala) carries the meaning of "complete on all sides" or "full and even in every direction." This sutta reflects an important principle within the Vinaya: that actions, attitudes, and conditions must be examined fairly and thoroughly from every aspect, without bias or omission.

Principal Content

The specific content of this sutta has not yet been fully translated in existing translations. However, based on the title "Evenly All Around" (Parimaṇḍala) and its context within the Vinayapiṭaka, this sutta most likely centers on the principle of examining the offenses or actions of bhikkhus in a fair and impartial manner.

In other portions of the Pāli Vinayapiṭaka, when adjudicating violations or disputes within the Sangha, the elders consistently emphasize that a matter must be examined from every angle: intention (cetanā), the actual act (kamma), its consequences, the circumstances, and all relevant details. The principle of being "complete on all sides" is intended to ensure justice and to prevent unreasonable or biased decisions.

This accords with the spirit of the Theravāda Buddhadhamma, which always places priority on wisdom (pañña), careful consideration (sampajaññā), and fairness in every judgment.

Practical Significance

For those who practice the Buddhadhamma — especially novices or those studying the monastic code — the Parimaṇḍala Sutta serves as a reminder that discipline is not an authoritarian imposition, but rather a system that serves self-cultivation and the development of virtue.