Lzh Mg Bi Pm Ss 8Ordaining a Criminal
Pāli / Sanskrit:Corīvuṭṭhāpikā
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Commentary on the Corīvuṭṭhāpikā Sutta
On the Ordination of One Who Has Committed Offenses
Background
The Corīvuṭṭhāpikā (Pāli: Corīvuṭṭhāpikā, meaning "On the sheltering/protecting of a thief") is found within the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Mahāvagga—the collection of rules governing the monastic community (Saṅgha). It is presented in the form of Vinaya regulations that the Buddha established to address complex situations arising in the recruitment and training of those wishing to join the Saṅgha.
According to Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is the ethical and disciplinary foundation of monastic life, comprising not merely a set of prohibitions but also a body of principles that safeguard the purity and trustworthiness of the community. This text reflects the Buddha's careful discernment in receiving those with a dark past, while at the same time preserving the integrity of the Saṅgha.
Principal Content
The Corīvuṭṭhāpikā addresses the question of whether a person with a criminal record—particularly one guilty of theft (corī)—may be permitted to go forth and receive ordination in the same manner as others. This is not a simple question of compassion or punishment, but rather a matter of ethics, social trust, and the genuine capacity for spiritual practice.
The Buddha's ruling set forth in this text emphasizes that permitting a thief or robber to go forth must be accompanied by specific conditions. Such a person cannot be sheltered or "protected" (vuṭṭhāpikā) from the consequences of their wrongful actions merely by virtue of wishing to enter the monastery. They must acknowledge their transgressions, repent sincerely, and commit themselves to a transformation of life.
This principle reflects the Theravāda understanding that the Saṅgha is not a place of refuge from the law or an escape from accountability, but rather a place of practice through which one transcends unwholesome actions. The Blessed One does not turn people away, yet he cannot permit them to make use of the monastery as a means of evading justice.
Practical Significance
For practitioners of both the Mahāyāna and Theravāda traditions, this text offers three precious teachings.
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