Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 48Hitting
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pahāra
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The Pahāra Sutta: On the Act of Striking
Background
The Pahāra Sutta (Pāli: Pahāra, meaning "striking" or "hitting") is a disciplinary rule belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, recorded in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha—the list of transgressions that monks must avoid. This text was transmitted in the context of the Buddha admonishing the Sangha regarding acts of direct physical violence against persons.
According to the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka was established by the Buddha to protect the purity of the monastic community, to maintain harmony within the Sangha, and to assist each individual in practicing in accordance with the proper path of the Buddha. Each rule is accompanied by an origin story (nidāna) explaining the reason the Buddha established that particular rule.
Main Content
The rule concerning Pahāra (striking) belongs to the category of Pācittiya—transgressions less grave than Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa, yet still requiring confession before the Sangha or another monk. Specifically, this rule prohibits monks from intentionally striking or hitting another person out of aggression or through the abuse of physical force.
The act of "striking" (pahāra) here does not refer merely to accidental contact, but must involve the intention to cause harm or to express anger. If a monk out of anger strikes anyone—whether a disciple, a family member, or even an animal—this is regarded as a transgression. Even striking for the purpose of "discipline" or "education" is not accepted within the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka.
The Buddha taught that the act of striking is contrary to the Five Precepts (Pañcasīla), particularly the precept of refraining from the taking of living beings (Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī), and that it is not merely the infliction of injury but also a reflection of the loss of mental restraint—a foundational element in Buddhist practice.
Practical Significance
The Pahāra Sutta emphasizes that Buddhist practice is not merely meditation or the accumulation of knowledge, but also the cultivation of discipline in concrete action. Refraining from striking is a specific expression of loving-kindness (mettā) and non-violence (ahiṃsā).
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